When you move to Germany, one of the first healthcare symbols you will learn to recognise is the large red “A” outside an Apotheke.
An Apotheke is a regulated pharmacy. It is not the same as a supermarket, online marketplace or drugstore.
German pharmacies dispense medicines, check prescriptions and provide professional advice about dosage, side effects, interactions and safe use.
Since 2 July 2026, Germany’s pharmacy reform has created a broader legal role for community pharmacies. The reform includes additional vaccinations, selected rapid tests, diagnostic blood collection, preventive services and limited medication support in defined situations.
However, not every pharmacy can or will provide every new service immediately. Some elements require training, contracts, facilities or additional implementation work. Germany’s Pharmacy Chamber explicitly noted that substantial parts of the law took effect on 2 July, but some provisions still required preparation or later implementation.
What changed for German pharmacies in 2026?
The reform expands the potential role of pharmacies in five important areas:
- a broader range of vaccinations;
- rapid tests for selected infections;
- blood collection for diagnostic purposes;
- additional preventive and medication-related services;
- limited continuation of established prescription medication in urgent cases.
The purpose is to make basic healthcare services more accessible and distribute certain tasks across a wider range of trained healthcare professionals.
This does not turn the pharmacy into a doctor’s practice.
A pharmacist may advise, test, vaccinate or provide a defined pharmaceutical service, but serious symptoms and conditions requiring medical diagnosis still belong with a doctor or emergency service.
Apotheke and Drogerie are not the same
This distinction is frequently misunderstood by newcomers.
Apotheke
An Apotheke can provide:
- prescription medicines
- pharmacy-only medicines
- professional medication advice
- checks for medicine interactions
- selected vaccinations
- certain rapid tests
- defined preventive services
- emergency medicine supply, where legally permitted
Drogerie
A Drogerie generally sells:
- cosmetics
- toiletries
- cleaning products
- baby products
- personal-care products
- vitamins and supplements
- some non-prescription health products
A Drogerie cannot dispense prescription medicines or provide the same pharmaceutical services as an Apotheke.
Which vaccinations can pharmacies offer?
The 2026 reform permits appropriately trained pharmacists to administer vaccines that are not live vaccines.
This may include vaccinations such as:
- tetanus
- tick-borne encephalitis, known as FSME or TBE
- influenza
- COVID-19
- other recommended non-live vaccines
Under the amended Infection Protection Act, pharmacists may administer non-live vaccines when they have completed the required medical training, work for the pharmacy providing the vaccination and vaccinate adults aged 18 or above.
A pharmacist who was already trained to provide influenza or COVID-19 vaccination may continue providing those vaccinations. Additional vaccinations require the appropriate supplementary training.
Why might a pharmacy not offer the vaccination yet?
A legal permission does not create instant nationwide availability.
The pharmacy may need:
- appropriately trained pharmacists
- an approved training curriculum
- suitable vaccination rooms
- emergency equipment
- appropriate insurance
- a hygiene and documentation process
- agreements on reimbursement and billing
- sufficient staffing
The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists was given until September 2026 to develop relevant model training curricula. Agreements covering reimbursement for the broader vaccination service were also subject to an implementation timetable.
Therefore, a pharmacy may legally be able to participate but may not yet be operationally ready.
Before visiting, ask:
Bieten Sie diese Impfung an?
And:
Brauche ich einen Termin?
What should you bring for a pharmacy vaccination?
The pharmacy may ask for:
- your health-insurance card
- identity document
- vaccination record
- information about previous vaccinations
- list of medicines
- details of allergies
- information about previous vaccine reactions
- payment details if the service is not covered
The pharmacist must conduct the required explanation and medical-history check before administering the vaccination.
A pharmacy must also have an appropriate room and equipment and notify the responsible authority before beginning vaccinations.
Which rapid tests may pharmacies provide?
Pharmacies may conduct certain patient-near rapid tests for selected pathogens.
The amended legal framework specifically covers tests relating to:
- adenoviruses
- influenza viruses
- norovirus
- respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV
- rotavirus
These tests may help people obtain an initial result without first securing an appointment at a doctor’s practice.
However, a rapid test has limitations.
It may not:
- explain the cause of every symptom
- detect every infection
- replace a medical examination
- determine the best treatment in complex cases
- exclude a serious condition
If symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, the pharmacist may refer you to a doctor.
Can pharmacies take blood samples?
The new framework also permits venous blood collection for diagnostic purposes under defined conditions.
This could support services such as:
- cardiovascular-risk assessment
- diabetes-risk assessment
- selected preventive checks
- monitoring related to medication use
Actual availability will depend on staffing, facilities, equipment and the pharmacy’s decision to offer the service.
Do not assume that “blood test at a pharmacy” means the pharmacy can diagnose every medical condition.
Ask what is being measured, who will interpret the result and whether medical follow-up is required.
Which preventive services may be offered?
The reform also expands pharmaceutical services related to prevention, early detection and safe medicine use.
These may include:
- medication reviews
- advice for patients taking several medicines
- support after a new long-term medicine is prescribed
- inhaler-technique training
- injection-technique training
- monitoring following organ transplantation
- support during oral cancer treatment
- standardised high-blood-pressure risk assessment
- cardiovascular-risk advice
- diabetes-risk advice
- smoking-cessation support
The law provides for standardised procedures and further implementation work for these services.
These services can be particularly useful for newcomers who:
- take medicine prescribed abroad
- have not yet found a Hausarzt
- use several medicines
- are unfamiliar with German brand names
- need help using an inhaler or injection device
- are beginning long-term treatment
Can a German pharmacy provide prescription medicine without a prescription?
The general rule remains:
Prescription-only medicine normally requires a valid prescription.
The reform does not permit anyone to walk into a pharmacy and request any prescription medicine without seeing a doctor.
However, a pharmacist may provide a limited continuation supply in a defined urgent situation.
The legal conditions include:
- the patient has already received the same medicine over at least three quarters;
- the patient can prove this, or the pharmacist has reliable knowledge of it;
- continuing treatment cannot reasonably be delayed;
- the medicine is supplied once;
- only the smallest stocked pack may be provided.
Evidence may include information in the electronic patient record or other reliable treatment documentation.
Which medicines are excluded?
The continuation rule does not cover every medicine.
The law excludes, among other categories:
- medicines with high misuse or dependence potential
- certain opioids
- hypnotics and sedatives
- stimulants
- anxiolytics
- medicines requiring a new medical examination before continuation
- specific medicines subject to strict safety conditions
A pharmacist must decide whether all legal and professional requirements are met.
The patient cannot demand a medicine merely because they have used it previously.
What should newcomers bring for long-term medication?
Bring as much evidence as possible:
- medication plan
- previous prescriptions
- original medicine packaging
- doctor’s letter
- recent medical report
- electronic patient record information
- name of the active ingredient
- dosage and frequency
- details of how long you have taken it
The active ingredient is particularly important because medicine brand names can differ between countries.
For example, the product name you used in India, the United Kingdom or the United States may not exist in Germany, even when an equivalent active ingredient is available.
Will health insurance cover the new services?
Not every service will necessarily be covered in every situation.
Coverage can depend on:
- the particular service
- statutory or private insurance
- the patient’s medical eligibility
- contractual reimbursement arrangements
- whether the service is preventive or medically required
- whether the pharmacy participates in the relevant programme
Before agreeing to a service, ask:
Was kostet das?
Übernimmt meine Krankenkasse die Kosten?
Muss ich selbst bezahlen?
Where possible, request written confirmation from the insurer, particularly for a higher-cost service.
Do pharmacists in Germany speak English?
Many pharmacists speak English, particularly in:
- large cities
- university towns
- international neighbourhoods
- areas close to hospitals
- airports and major railway stations
But English service is not legally guaranteed.
Useful phrases include:
Ich nehme dieses Medikament regelmäßig.
Brauche ich dafür ein Rezept?
Ich bin gegen dieses Medikament allergisch.
Gibt es dieses Medikament mit demselben Wirkstoff?
Sollte ich damit zu einem Arzt gehen?
When should you still see a doctor?
Go to a doctor when you need:
- a medical diagnosis
- a new prescription treatment
- significant medication changes
- examination of a persistent condition
- treatment for a serious infection
- management of a complex chronic illness
- a sick note for work
- specialist referral
- ongoing medical monitoring
Seek urgent medical assistance for:
- breathing difficulty
- chest pain
- signs of a stroke
- severe allergic reaction
- loss of consciousness
- major injury
- severe or rapidly worsening pain
- other apparent emergencies
A pharmacy is an accessible healthcare contact, but it does not replace emergency services.
How to find an emergency pharmacy
German pharmacies do not all remain open at night, on Sundays or on public holidays.
A rotating Apotheken-Notdienst system provides emergency pharmacy access outside normal opening hours.
You may find the nearest emergency pharmacy through:
- notices displayed outside a closed pharmacy
- local pharmacy-search services
- health-insurance information
- local online search
- the after-hours medical service
An emergency-service surcharge may apply during designated hours.
A newcomer’s pharmacy checklist
When visiting a pharmacy, carry:
- insurance card
- prescription
- identity document where required
- medication list
- allergy information
- original medicine packaging
- vaccination record
- relevant medical documents
Before accepting a service, ask:
- Is the service available here?
- Do I need an appointment?
- Is the service appropriate for my situation?
- What will it cost?
- Will insurance cover it?
- Will I receive a written result?
- Do I still need to visit a doctor?
Frequently asked questions
Can every German pharmacy vaccinate?
No. The pharmacy needs trained personnel, suitable facilities and the required operational arrangements.
Can children receive the new vaccinations at pharmacies?
The expanded federal permission described in the law applies to vaccinations by pharmacists for people aged 18 and above.
Can a pharmacy diagnose influenza?
A pharmacy may conduct an authorised rapid test, but a test result is not always a complete medical diagnosis.
Can I obtain antibiotics without a prescription?
The reform does not create a general right to purchase antibiotics without a prescription.
Can a pharmacy continue my regular medicine?
Possibly, but only under strict conditions involving established treatment, urgency and other legal requirements.
Is every pharmacy service covered by insurance?
No. Coverage depends on the service, insurer, medical eligibility and reimbursement arrangements.
WhyGermany takeaway
German pharmacies can now play a broader role in vaccinations, testing, prevention and medication support.
But implementation will be gradual.
Before visiting, check whether the pharmacy provides the service, whether you need an appointment, what documents you should bring and whether your health insurance will cover the cost.