Health
Germany has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. If you need medical help, you will receive better care here than in most other countries.
What can you do if you need help
If you have a toothache, for example, make an appointment with your dentist. For all other health problems, it is advisable to see your GP first. The GP will assess whether you need treatment from a specialist and will give you a referral if necessary.
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​You can find addresses and telephone numbers of general practitioners, dentists and specialists on the Internet. Office hours can vary greatly. It is best to call the practice and make an appointment. If it is urgent, you can come without an appointment, but you will often have to wait a long time before you can be seen.
Prescriptions in the pharmacy
If your doctor prescribes a medication for you, take the prescription with you to the pharmacy to pick up the medication. There is usually a co-payment of between 5 and 13 euros, the rest is covered by your health insurance. Please note that this only applies to prescription drugs. For all other medications, you must cover the entire cost yourself.
Two types of medication
Medicines can be divided into two main categories: prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.
Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs in Germany are only available with a doctor's prescription and only in pharmacies. German regulations for medicines are very strict, so drugs that are available over the counter in other countries may require a prescription here.
Over-the-counter drugs
You can buy medications that do not require a prescription directly from pharmacies. Some of these remedies, such as cough syrup, gastrointestinal teas or nasal sprays, are also available in drugstores. They are usually a little cheaper there than in the pharmacy. No doctor's prescription is necessary for these products.
In case of emergency
If you need urgent medical help at night or on weekends, you can go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. If you cannot reach the hospital yourself, dial 112 to call an ambulance. In urgent cases that are not emergencies and occur outside of regular office hours, you can contact the emergency medical service on 116117.
When you are on the road
If you don't have a phone to hand after a traffic accident, you will find orange emergency call boxes along the motorways that you can use to call for help in an emergency. To find an emergency call box, follow the arrows on the white milestones or the black and white signposts.
Take care of your mental health
Studying in a new country or place can be extremely challenging. You suddenly find yourself in an unfamiliar environment, far from home, and you may have to communicate in a different language. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. This situation requires a new way of managing time and resources, can lead to severe nervousness before exams, and often brings intense emotional stress. Everyone reacts differently to leaving their comfort zone, and often you don't recognize the warning signs right away.
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At home, you know all the rules and social customs without thinking about them too much. In a new country, on the other hand, it feels like you have to learn everything from scratch. Even small everyday things can be stressful because you have to figure out how to behave properly or what is going on around you. Homesickness is completely normal.​​
However, if the feeling of depression or malaise is seriously affecting your health and daily life, it is important to seek professional help.