Kategorie: German Health Care

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SLR Blog: What can you do when you are feeling sick | Student Survival Tips

What you can do if you are feeling sick:

If you are feeling sick and need to see a doctor and need medicine, I listed some tips for what you can do:

  1. How to find a doctor?

If you are feeling sick right now and do not have a general practitioner yet, you can call any doctor that is close to you and tell them you are sick. Then, they will tell you if the have the capacity to treat you. Otherwise, they might be able to tell you, who has a capacity for new patients.

It is best to start looking for a general practitioner right after arriving in Siegen.

Here you can find more information on how it works: https://blogs.uni-siegen.de/fit-in-siegen/de/2025/04/14/slr-blog-how-to-find-a-general-practitioner-student-survival-tips/

 

  1. How to get your medicine?

Medicines and Pharmacies

In Germany, some medicines require a prescription, while others can be purchased freely.

Prescription medicines (verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente) are only provided to patients with a prescription from their doctor. They can be acquired at public pharmacies (Apotheken) upon presentation of the physical prescription slip. Please note that Germany’s pharmacy laws are strict, meaning a prescription may be required for medicines that are sold over the counter in other countries. Medicine is not available in supermarkets.

Prescription medicines typically include a co-pay of between 5 to 10 euros, or roughly ten percent of their price. If your medication costs less than 5 euros, you pay for it yourself.

Other medications (such as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) can be purchased freely in any pharmacy – without prescription.

Pharmacies are typically open from Monday to Friday, although some also open on Saturday mornings as well. On Sundays, pharmacies are usually closed in Germany. The emergency pharmacy service (Apothekennotdienst) is open around the clock. In Siegen you find the actual emergency pharmacy on the following homepage. https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/apotheken-notdienst/stadt/siegen/

There is also a list on every pharmacy door.

  1. What to Expect at a Doctor’s Appointment

After your search for a doctor was successful, check their office hours on their homepage. To avoid waiting for the medical treatment you should call before your visit and make an appointment. If you want to go to a specialist, you may have to wait several weeks. You must first visit a general practitioner, as a referral is required to see the specialist.

    1. Please arrive on time for your appointment.
    2. At the reception you will need to present your health insurance card.
    3. If you are visiting a specialist you will also need the referral from the general practitioner.
    4. First of all, as a new patient, you will have to fill out a personal medical questionnaire every time. This questionnaire is mostly in German only, if you have any difficulties in understanding it, please ask the staff at the front desk.
    5. While filling the form you will typically be sent to a waiting room to wait until called.
    6. Patients with public health insurance do not normally have to pay for standard treatments and can simply leave once they are finished with the consultation and/or have received any necessary prescriptions or referrals.

Your host, Alessa 😊

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SLR Blog: How German insurances work | Student Survival Tips

 

Health Care in Germany can seem complicated. Thus, here is a short summary for you:

Everybody in Germany is required to have a health insurance. Without a health insurance you cannot receive a visa for Germany. In case a visa is not needed for entrance to Germany, please take care of a travel insurance. Also check your health insurance policy at home, as it may cover the costs for medical treatment in Germany. If you hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), then you are covered by your health insurance provider in Germany. If your health insurance at home does not support medical treatments in Germany, you must insure yourself in Germany.

There are two types of insurance you can choose between:

  1. Students that are younger than 30 years and study less than 14 month must use a public health insurance for students. It costs about 110 Euros per month.
  2. The second type of insurance is the private health insurance. If you are older as 30 years and haven’t had a public health insurance before, or if you are participant of the Intensive German language course, you must take a private health insurance. It seems cheaper at first glance because the monthly contribution is a lot lower than with a public health insurance. However many treatments are not covered (e.g. complications during pregnancy!) and monthly contributions might increase from month to month; especially after your graduation. So, please check the policy carefully before deciding
  3. Also IGeL (individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen) are services not covered by the health insurance, as the insurance provider has classified them as unnecessary. These can include alternative therapies and travel vaccinations, and the patient must pay for these on his or her own.

 

 

We recommend you the public health insurance. With this insurance you usually do not pay any standard health treatments. IGeL (individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen) are services not covered by the health insurance. You have to pay services by your own, which the insurance provider does not classify as necessary. For example alternative therapies and travel vaccinations are IGeL services.

German health insurance providers offer various bonus programs. One example: a bonus booklet for your annually checkup at the dentist. You present the booklet at the dentist and then the doctor confirms your visit. You will receive larger payments from your health insurance if you happen to require a treatment. Some health insurance providers also subsidize prevention courses or gym memberships. They also typically cover the cost of vaccinations, such as for Hepatitis A and B or influenza.

 

Your SLR Host Alessa 🙂

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SLR Blog: Health Care in Germany- the basics | Student Survival Tips

Moving to Germany for your studies also means getting familiar with the local healthcare system. Here are some essentials every international student should know:

1. Health Insurance Is Mandatory

In Germany, health insurance is required by law. Without proof of valid insurance, you cannot enroll at a university. There are two main types:

  • Public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV)
  • Private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung / PKV)

2. Visiting a Doctor (Arzt)

  • For non-emergencies, you usually go to a general practitioner (Hausarzt) first. They provide initial treatment and can refer you to specialists (for example dermatologist, orthopedist).
  • Bring your health insurance card to every appointment.
  • Many doctors speak English, but not all. If you’re unsure, ask when making an appointment.

3. Pharmacies (Apotheke)

  • You can buy prescription medicine only at pharmacies.
  • Over-the-counter drugs (like painkillers or cold medicine) are also sold there, but are often more limited than in some other countries.

4. Emergencies

  • Emergency number (Ambulance/Fire/Police): 112
  • For urgent but not life-threatening cases, you can go to the hospital emergency department (Notaufnahme).

5. Mental Health Support

Counseling services are available at most universities and are usually free for students. If you need therapy, many health insurances cover treatment with approved psychotherapists, though waiting times can be long.

Sick on a Exam Day? Check out this blogpost:

SLR Blog: Exam Withdrawal & Sick Leave | Student Survival Tips

Knowing these basics will make it easier to get the help you need in Germany.

Your SLR Host Emma😊

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SLR Blog: Types of Psychotherapy | Student Survival Tips

In Germany, health insurance covers four different types of psychotherapy. Before you go to a trial session, you should check whether you feel comfortable with the therapy the specialist offers.

Psychoanalytic therapy was developed based on the teachings of Sigmund Freud. According to his theory, mental illnesses are caused by inner conflicts. Hidden conflicts, often from our childhood, influence our daily life and can lead to mental illnesses. Through psychoanalytic therapy, a psychotherapist can help you uncover these repressed feelings and relationships, such as describing your dreams, thoughts, and memories. During sessions, patients typically lie on a couch, and therapy can last several years.

Psychodynamic therapy draws on Freud’s theories as well, and also focuses on early experiences and repressed feelings. Sessions usually involve sitting across from your therapist, and treatments last about one year.

Behavior therapy is based on another theory. It assumes that our behavior and our thoughts are influenced by our life experiences. From these experiences we learn and conclude how to behave best. The therapist works with you to identify reasons for your mental problems. Together, you discuss your patterns of thinking and how to change them. As a patient, you are an active part of therapy and you might have to collaborate by practicing learned skills at home. Patients typically sit opposite to your psychotherapist, with one session per week. Treatment usually lasts several months.

Systemic therapy assumes that mental illness can be caused by the way people interact with each other. This type of psychotherapy usually involves your family or partner. The therapist helps you developing solutions for existing conflicts. As a patient, you and your family are empowered to solve conflicts in your daily life. Therapy sessions are usually scheduled for two to three weeks.

On our List of Psychotherapists around Siegen you’ll find some options if you’re thinking about starting therapy.

Your SLR host Alessa 🙂

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SLR Blog: Do I need Therapy? | Student Survival Tips

At some point in their life, most people ask themselves, if they need therapy. Therapy is not only for difficult cases, therapy can often be helpful! Thus, you do not need to worry, that your symptoms are „not bad enough“. If you are still insecure, if you need or want to do therapy, this article might help you!

Mental Illnesses

Daily life is full of mental ups and downs. Some people can live well  with their problems by talking to friends or letting off stress through  a hobby or pastime. Others find it hard to restore that state of inner  balance. If, even after several weeks, you find that you are struggling  to move past a down cycle, it might help to seek support from a  professional psychologist. Arrange an initial appointment with a  psychotherapist to discuss your symptoms and receive professional advice  about whether more extensive therapy is necessary. Your general  practitioner can also help you identify whether you need help from a  specialist. Because many mental illnesses are associated with physical  symptoms, including stomach pain and poor sleep, doctors are trained to  check whether your physical symptoms might have a mental origin. Where  necessary, he or she can refer you to a specialist.

Common signs that therapy might be helpful

  • Emotional signs that therapy might help you: Often feeling sad, anxious, irritable
  • Physical signs that that therapy might help you: feeling tired and exhausted a lot, issues with sleep schedule, physical problems like stomach ache without medical reasons
  • Changes in behaviour: Staying a home a lot more than before, Problems with handling everyday life (like cleaning, studying, hygiene or social life)
  • Recurring or distressing thoughts 

How to Decide If Therapy Is Right for You – Initial quesitions to ask yourself

  • Do my problems impact my everyday life?
  • Does my problem impact my relationships or my work?
  • Am I not myself? Do I feel different from how I usually feel?
  • Does the way I’ve changed bother me?
  • Is there an explanation for the change?
  • Does the explanation insufficiently account for the duration and severity of the trouble I’m having?
  • Has it become a struggle to perform my day-to-day work?
  • Am I constantly worried and anxious?
  • Do I suffer from any physical ailments?
  • Do I have a sleeping disorder? Do I sleep too little or too much?
  • Do I often feel aggressive, hateful or irritable, or am I very intolerant?
  • Am I often on sick leave?
  • Do I have suicidal thoughts?
  • Do I hardly have anyone left to talk to about my problems?
  • Does speaking to friends about how I’m feeling no longer help?
  • Is the change in me clearly noticeable to others, as well?
  • Have I been feeling like this for more than three months?
  • Am I ambivalent about everything?

(Source: Rosemarie Piontek: Mut zur Veränderung Methoden und Möglichkeiten der Psychotherapie. Bonn, 2009)

How to Find a Therapist 

  • You can call any of the therapists listed on our website ( List of Psychotherapists around Siegen ).Most probably there will be certain telephone hours which an automized announcement will tell you. Then you can call again during these telephone hours and make an appointment for a consultation.
  • If the therapist has availability, you can attend a few initial sessions—often called “probationary sessions”—to go through diagnostics and see whether you feel comfortable working with them. After that, regular therapy can begin.

Be ready to call more than one psychotherapist, as demand is high for these services and many practices have long waiting times for appointments. If you still have questions about the process of finding a therapist, feel free to drop by the Student Living Room — we’ll do our best to support you.

Your SLR host Alessa 🙂

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SLR Blog: How to find a general practitioner | Student Survival Tips

There are different options to find a general practitioner. We listed a few for you here:

  1. Ask friends, fellow students and colleagues: People who have lived in the same area for a long time often have tips on which general practitioner or specialist is recommended.
  2. Search option of the „Kassenärztliche Vereinigung“ (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians). As it is available in German only, please see here the tutorial: How to find a doctor in Siegen and surrounding area
  3. Online search: a simple search on Google helps to find doctors in the immediate vicinity. Platforms like Jameda collect reviews on doctors, giving you a first impression. However, keep in mind that these reviews can also be wrong, outdated or very subjective.

After you found someone that fits your expectations, call or visit them during their office hours. Ask them if they still accept new patients, and if so make an appointment with the new doctor to get to know him or her to see if the chemistry is right and you will feel comfortable in the future.

If you’re not yet comfortable speaking German, we have a list of general practitioners in Siegen who offer consultations in other languages, including English. Hopefully, you’ll find someone who suits your needs.

List of General Practitioners Around Siegen

Your SLR host Alessa 🙂