Check the practice door
The closure notice may list the dates, reopening date, substitute doctor's name, address, number and consulting hours.
Practical healthcare access
When Doctors &
When Doctors &
Pharmacies Are Closed
How substitute doctors, the medical on-call service and Germany's emergency-pharmacy system work during evenings, weekends and holidays.
Which kind of help do you need?
Choose the description that best matches the situation. This is a routing guide, not a diagnosis.
Select a situation
See all numbers We will point you to the appropriate German service.
If you believe the situation is life-threatening, call 112 now.
Do not use this page or 116117 to delay emergency care. Examples can include severe breathing difficulty, suspected heart attack or stroke, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, serious injury or a severe allergic reaction.
Look for the word Vertretung
Independent medical practices may close for holidays, training or illness. They will generally identify another doctor or practice that provides cover.
Check the website
Look for Praxisurlaub, wegen Urlaub geschlossen or Vertretung.
Listen to the answering machine
The recorded message may be more current than a business listing or search result.
Call the covering practice first
Ask whether an appointment is needed. The practice may be handling both its own patients and additional cover.
What to take to the substitute doctor
The covering practice may not automatically have every document held by your regular doctor. Bring a compact medical handover.
Your substitute-doctor checklist
Do not wait until regular medicine runs out
Check supplies before school holidays, Christmas and travel. A substitute doctor may need to assess you and confirm the diagnosis, dose and previous treatment before issuing a medically necessary prescription.
Check early
Count how many doses remain and compare them with the practice closure and your travel dates.
Request ahead
Ask your regular practice whether a repeat prescription can be issued before it closes.
Carry evidence
Keep the medicine name, active ingredient, strength, dosage and relevant diagnosis available.
Take extra care with long-term medication, insulin and diabetes supplies, asthma medication, heart and blood-pressure medication, anticoagulants, psychiatric medication and medicines requiring regular monitoring.
Find medicine when regular pharmacies are closed
Germany uses a rotating emergency-duty system. The pharmacy on duty can change from one night, Sunday or public holiday to the next.
Search the official duty list
Enter your town or five-digit postcode. Results use official Federal Chamber of Pharmacists data and can change at short notice, so check immediately before travelling.
Opens the official aponet emergency-pharmacy search in a new tab. Online search is free.
What arrival may look like at night
The main door can appear closed even when the pharmacy is on duty. Look for a bell, intercom, dispensing hatch or the word Nachtglocke. Service may happen through a secure night window.
Stock is limited to that pharmacy. For an important medicine, call first and ask: Haben Sie dieses Medikament vorrätig?
Check a closed pharmacy
A notice near its entrance normally lists nearby duty pharmacies. Look for Notdienst or Notdienstapotheke.
Telephone finder
0800 00 22833 from a German landline, or 22833 from a German mobile. Mobile calls or SMS may carry a charge.
Possible service fee
A €2.50 Notdienstgebühr may apply during defined emergency-service periods. A prescription marked noctu may allow statutory insurer coverage.
Important numbers and German terms
A small offline note can save time when you are stressed, travelling or without reliable data.
Emergency pharmacy
0800 00 22833 - German landline
22833 - German mobile / SMS
Official search116117
Urgent medical help that cannot wait until practices reopen, but is not life-threatening. Available 24/7; telephone service is currently in German.
Official English information112
Life-threatening emergencies or risk of serious permanent harm. Call immediately when this threshold is met.
Call 112