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Guides on this topic
- Health insurance between Turkey and Germany: AT11 and TA11AT11 is the form that lets people insured with SGK in Turkey get healthcare in Germany. Who it covers, whether there's an age limit, what happens when you start working in Germany and what TA11 is for.
- Sexual health: testing, contraception and support in BerlinWhere you can get tested for sexually transmitted infections in Berlin, who pays, and what rights you have for contraception costs.
- Perimenopause: taking care of yourself as change beginsPerimenopause is the years before menopause, when hormones fluctuate. What you might feel, when to see a doctor and where to get support in Berlin.
- Know your cycle: hormones, energy and everyday lifeHormones change throughout the menstrual cycle, and many women feel it in their energy, mood and body. Learn how to track your own cycle, plan your days around it, and where to get support in Berlin for PMS or severe period pain.
- HPV vaccination: who should get it and who pays?The HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer and other cancers. Who can get it, when insurance pays, how the process works and where to get support in Berlin.
Questions on this topic
- A doctor's website says 'private patients only'. Can I go as a new patient with statutory insurance?Usually not. The warning usually means the practice is not taking new patients with statutory insurance.
- Any recommendations for a good or Turkish-speaking family doctor (Hausarzt) in Berlin?For a family doctor, you can see Sonia Bode at the MVZ am Kottbusser Tor. In an emergency, you can go to the A&E at the Weißensee Parkkliniken.
- Any recommendations for a good orthopaedist or physiotherapist (Krankengymnastik) in Berlin?For orthopaedics, you can see Ufuk Şentürk, Bilgehan Ata or Ayhan Aydın. For physiotherapy, there are Duygu Kılıç at Osteovita and Mr Yaman at Physiotherapie Praxis San, and Hallo Physio is another physiotherapy clinic.
- Any recommendations for a good Turkish-speaking dentist, orthodontist or oral surgeon in Berlin?For a Turkish dentist, try Tomris Aydın's clinic on Ebertystraße, and in an emergency Ahmet Turan at Dentklar. For orthodontics there are Dr. Sinem Taslan and BISS45, and for oral surgery Nazife Begüm Karan and Ms İlsu.
- Any recommendations for a good Turkish-speaking gynaecologist (Frauenarzt) in Berlin?You can see Özge Doğan near Mehringdamm with statutory insurance such as TK, and the reception staff speak Turkish. Without an appointment, try Safiye Taşkın. For endometriosis you can see Prof. Ebert, and for a breast examination you need a referral to the Charité Brustzentrum.
- As a Werkstudent or employee, is AT/11 or private health insurance enough?With a Minijob, AT/11 is usually enough. If you earn more than 603 euros a month, you usually need statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). Your employer may not accept AT/11 or private insurance.
- Can I get an SMA carrier test in Berlin before having a child?Yes, but doctors do not offer it routinely. Private human genetics centres do broad genetic screening, but it can be expensive.
- Can I get physiotherapy for back and leg pain during pregnancy?Yes. With a prescription (Verordnung) from your doctor, you can go to physiotherapy on your health insurance.
- Can I see a doctor in Germany with my Turkish insurance (AT/11 form)?Yes, but first you need to have the AT/11 from SGK approved by a statutory health insurer (Krankenkasse) in Germany. What it covers, and whether there is an age limit, is not clear.
- Can I see a family doctor in Turkey if I am not resident there?You can go as a guest patient, but it is up to the doctor whether they see you. If they will not, state hospitals also see uninsured patients for an examination fee.
- Do I have to pay for an ultrasound at the gynaecologist?Often, yes. Statutory insurance usually pays for an ultrasound only if the doctor sees a medical need. Otherwise you pay for it yourself.
- Does insurance cover dermatologist costs?Both statutory and private insurance cover medically necessary examinations and treatment. Statutory insurance usually does not cover cosmetic procedures.
- How do I complete my child's Turkish vaccination schedule in Germany?Register your child with a paediatrician (Kinderarzt) and bring the Turkish vaccination record. The doctor completes missing vaccinations according to the German schedule, and statutory insurance pays for them. Proof of measles vaccination is compulsory for Kita and school.
- How do I find a Turkish-speaking psychiatrist or psychotherapist in Berlin?The psychiatrist Can Bahtiyar speaks Turkish but may not be taking new patients. For an ADHD diagnosis, İlkay Akar works privately, so you pay yourself. The Charité usually opens a patient list for ADHD diagnosis every year.
- How do I get a disability ID card (Schwerbehindertenausweis), and what rights does it give me?In Berlin you apply to the Versorgungsamt at LAGeSo to have your degree of disability (GdB) assessed. With a GdB of at least 50 you get the ID card and rights such as extra leave, special protection against dismissal and tax relief.
- How do I get a prescription for period-delaying medication?Pharmacies usually do not sell this medication without a prescription. For a prescription, go to your family doctor (Hausarzt) or to the open consultation hours (offene Sprechstunde) of a gynaecology practice.
- How do I get a specialist (Facharzt) appointment? Do I need a referral (Überweisung)?You can see many specialists without a referral, but some practices ask for one. With a referral, you can request an appointment through the 116117 appointment service. On Doctolib you can search by specialty and language.
- How do I get an adult ADHD diagnosis in Berlin?The process is hard and often paid privately: first psychotherapy, then a test, and a psychiatrist or neurologist for medication. The Charité usually opens a patient list once a year.
- How do I get care support (Pflegegrad) for an elderly relative or a relative who needs care?You apply to the care insurance fund (Pflegekasse) of the person needing care; the Medizinischer Dienst assesses them at home and sets a care level from 1 to 5. Berlin's Pflegestützpunkte offer free advice: 0800 59 500 59.
- How do I get the HPV vaccine in Germany, and does insurance pay?Your family doctor (Hausarzt) or gynaecologist gives the vaccine. Insurance pays for children and young people; for adults it depends on the insurer. Get written approval from your insurer before the vaccination.
- How do I see a gynaecologist (Frauenarzt)? Can I go without an appointment?You do not need a referral (Überweisung), and you can book through Doctolib or by phone. Some practices see urgent cases without an appointment. When practices are closed, you can call 116117.
- How much does a dental filling cost in Germany, and does insurance cover it?Statutory insurance usually covers only amalgam fillings, and for other fillings you pay the difference. A white (composite) filling can cost you between 70 and 150 euros. Supplementary dental insurance can pay this back.
- I want supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung). What should I look out for?First work out what you need, then compare plans. Comparison sites or an independent adviser can help. Always check the waiting periods and the annual payout limits.
- If I switch from statutory to private health insurance, can I go back?Once you have switched to private insurance (PKV), you cannot go back to statutory insurance (GKV) just because you want to. It usually takes a new job with compulsory insurance, and it gets harder as you get older.
- Is health insurance compulsory in Germany?Yes. Everyone living in Germany must have health insurance.
- Is it a problem to bring my medication from Turkey to Germany?For personal use you can bring up to 3 months' supply of each medication. Customs usually cause no trouble, but carry your doctor's prescription or medical report.
- Is there a good Turkish-speaking dermatologist in Berlin?Kıvanç Semizel speaks Turkish, but you can only see him with private insurance or by paying yourself, about 90 euros a visit. With statutory insurance you can go to MVZ Dr. Hasert in Lichtenberg. Ms Nüket may also accept TK.
- Is there a reliable online pharmacy in Germany?Yes. You can order medicines and care products from large online pharmacies (Online-Apotheke) such as Shop Apotheke and Medpex.
- Is there a Turkish-speaking ear, nose and throat (ENT / HNO) doctor in Berlin?Taner Köprülü in Steglitz speaks Turkish and accepts TK. Dr. Gülcan Kazak Yıldırım sees urgent cases without an appointment in the morning. You can book Ula Limon on Meraner Straße through Doctolib.
- Is there a Turkish-speaking endocrinologist or internal medicine doctor in Berlin?For endocrinology, you can see Ms Arzu at Askana or Hilke Wientgen. Emine Gülkun is a Turkish-speaking internal medicine doctor. For a quick blood test, Labor28 can sometimes give you a same-day appointment.
- My family doctor (Hausarzt) is on holiday. What can I do for a referral or check-up?When your family doctor is on leave, there is usually a covering doctor (Vertretung). This doctor can also write you a referral (Überweisung).
- My newborn's eye is red and inflamed. Can I use eye ointment?Not without asking a doctor. Before you use medicated eye ointment on a newborn, speak to a Kinderarzt (paediatrician).
- My wisdom tooth hurts. Who should I see in Berlin?Some dentists take out wisdom teeth themselves, and for complicated cases you usually go to a Kieferchirurg (oral surgeon). If the pain is very bad, call the practice and ask whether they see emergency patients.
- TK says I owe back contributions. Should I object?First go to a TK office and talk to them in person, as mistakes are usually corrected there. If the debt is correct, you can pay in instalments. If you think it is wrong, you can also file a written objection.
- What free early-detection check-ups are there for women, and at what age?Statutory health insurance covers cervical cancer screening from age 20, breast examinations from 30 and mammography between 50 and 75, free of charge.
- What is the electronic patient record (ePA), and what should I do if I don't want one?The ePA is a digital file of your health information, created automatically for everyone with statutory health insurance since 2025. If you don't want it, you can object to your health insurer to have the file or parts of it closed.
- What should I do about health problems that feel urgent but are not a case for A&E?Look for a quick appointment with the right specialist, for ringing in the ears an ENT specialist (HNO-Arzt). If you cannot find one, get a referral from your family doctor (Hausarzt), which sometimes speeds things up.
- Where can I get glasses in Berlin, and does insurance pay for lenses and frames?Optician chains such as Fielmann and Apollo test your eyes and sell glasses. For children, statutory insurance pays for the lenses and you pay for the frame. For adults it covers part of the lenses only with a strong prescription.
- Where can I get mental health support, and what can I do if the waiting list for therapy is very long?You can go to a psychotherapist's consultation hours without a referral or book an appointment via 116117. If you can't find a place for a long time, you can ask your health insurance to cover a private therapist; in a crisis, the Berliner Krisendienst is open every day.
- Where can I get tested for sexually transmitted infections for free and anonymously?At Berlin's sexual health centres (Zentrum für sexuelle Gesundheit), counselling is free and tests can be done anonymously. If you are insured, your gynaecologist or GP can also test you.
- Which health insurance is better: TK, AOK, Barmer or a private insurer?Statutory insurers handle things like the HPV vaccine differently. After your studies, Mawista ExpatCare can be cheaper than TK, but once you earn more your employer may not accept expat insurance such as Care Concept. For private cover, look at ARAG, Signal Iduna and Ottonova.
