Sometimes, it’s just easier to talk to an English-speaking doctor in Berlin.
Being a foreigner doesn’t protect you harm. Whether you caught a bad fever in the U-Bahn, needs to see a gynecologist or have a particular condition to tend to, it’s never easy to find a doctor you can trust. Let’s not even start about finding the right German vocabulary to attempt to describe what you have!
This guide helps you find the right specialist that speaks the right language.

Let’s face it: the language barrier is still there when it come to medical conversations
I ran into the same problems when I needed to see an English-speaking doctor in Berlin to be able to convey exactly the symptoms I was suffering from.
Finding an English-speaking doctor in Berlin is fairly easy
If you need to see an English-speaking doctor in Berlin, it’s fairly easy to start your search.
Use your Krankenkasse’s database
Whether you are with a private or a public health insurance in Germany, they will have a database of doctors they work with on their website. They usually have language filters as well. Examples:
- Find English-speaking doctors in Berlin with TK’s database here. (First search by location, and then apply filters).
- Find doctors with AOK’s database here. (First search by location, and check languages in each doctor’s profile).
To find your own Kasse’s search page, you can google this: “Arztsuche [name of Krankenkasse]”.
Doctors’ associations’ databases
There are up to date database handled by doctors themselves. Simply enter your area, the specialty you are looking for and specify the language. You can even switch tabs and look for a precise therapy area if you need that.
Those databases are pretty neat, and most important of all: up-to-date !
Appointement booking platforms
Appointment booking platforms such as Doctolib also have a search function with a limited language filter. It’s also worth a look but since Germany is behind the times in terms of digitalisation, there aren’t a lot on there. Same with Doctena.
Doctors that speak other languages than English
The same databases listed above allows to find not only an English-speaking doctor in Berlin, but also one that speaks Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, etc.
However, it’s also generally a good idea to look at your embassy’s website too. They often have a list of recommended doctors. It might sometimes not be up-to-date but doctors practices are fairly stable businesses, so there isn’t much risk giving them a call. Some other lists that I found on the web were:
- Spanish: Here is a pretty handy list from the Spanish embassy español.
- French: A list provided by the French embassy in Berlin
- Italian: A cool Google Map posted by an unknown user. Berlin Italy is also a good resource.
- Polish: A list on the Polonia Berlin website.
- Farsi & Arabic: This excellent map by the Arriving in Berlin project shows doctors you can go to.
If you know about lists for other languages, do let me know in the comments; i will add it to this page.
Others doctor-related things to know in Germany
Notruf – Emergency numbers:
When you have a bad accident at home or outside and can’t go to the hospital, you can call 112 from any phone to call an ambulance. This number is the emergency number everywhere in the E.U. Don’t worry about German here, there will probably be a doctor or a nurse to take care of you in English once at the hospital.
If you feel like you need an English-speaking doctor for a medical emergency that doesn’t need to rush you to the hospital, you also can call 116 117. You will be connected to a central call-center that can guide you to the nearest practice operating outside of normal working hours.
The road often starts with a general practitioner before the specialist
If you know you need a specialist to treat a certain condition you have, don’t go to one directly or else your Krankenkasse might not cover it. It is best to go first to a general practitioner for an early diagnostic. If you need a specialist, he/she will give an “Überweisung“, a referral to go and see one. This little extra step makes sure your Krankenkasse covers it.
What if I’m just a tourist here and don’t have German health insurance?
If you are an EU citizen, you probably have a EHIC card that allows to benefit from the same coverage than at least what locals have. In some countries, this card is included with your domestic one, in others you have to ask for it. It’s for free.
If you are not an EU citizen, you might want to book a travel insurance or something similar to offset any costs that might occur. If it’s an emergency of course, no English-speaking doctor in Berlin will refuse to see you.
Some basic vocabulary to get you going if you need some:
- Arzt : Doctor
- Zahnarzt, Augenarzt: Dentist, Eye doctor
- Termin : Appointment
- Not : Emergency
- Es ist dringend: It is an emergency
Good luck and get better soon.

I hope this quick guide on how to find an English-speaking doctor in Berlin was useful to you. Feel free to leave suggestions or questions in the comments’ section.
Bastien
Typo = it’s Arzt not Artzt 🙂 You can delete this comment any time (:
Thanks Robert. I appreciate it!
Hi,
Ive came across an online doctor service called Mobidoctor. https://www.mobidoctor.eu
Here you will have English speaking doctors for a cost of €24 euros.
I highly recommend them, they saved my life on Christmas Eve
Hello I am looking for an english speaking doctor that can renew my prescriptions for my anxiety disorder near wedding
You can use the links in the post to search for one.
Hey, first of all, thanks for the information. I have a list of Persian speaking doctors. Should I first go to a general practitioner and if I need a specialist, ask him/her to give me a referral to a Persian speaking doctor from the list?
Hey Vahid. If you need to see a specialist, your GP can simply give you a prescription for it. You are then free to pick your own specialist afterward.
Nice! But is there any doctor who can speak Chinese in Berlin? I want to have a blood test to find out whether I have diabetes…
Hey Sue. You can use the search engine i linked to for that.
Hi!
First of all, I love your site! -Thank you!
In regards to doctors. I am looking for a family doctor =Allgemeinmedizin/Praktischer Arzt in Berlin (found some English speaking ones) and I am wondering whether you need to choose just one -register at one particular office/doctor or you can choose to go to another doctor every time you need to? I am asking because in Croatia, you have just one general doctor with whom you are registered with and during that registration you cannot go to any other general doctor.
Hey Morana. You can do to different doctors.
thank you Bastien. your answers are equally valuable as your article.
Hi, we moved with the 6 weeks baby to Berlin and we have KT insurance, how do I get an appointment with the paediatrician?
Hey Gila. Just like any other doctor, Just give them a call. Beware though; there is a big shortage of it, so they might want to take on more kids.
I need some help. I have a bunion in my left foot and it’s hurting a lot lately. I have few questions about it. What kind of doctor should I visit for that, Podiatrist, Traumatologist, Orthopedist? And do you know anyone who speaks English?
Hey Kat. In my opinion, an Orthopedist would be the right specialist but you can always to a general doctor so they canfirm it. You can use the search engine to know if they speak Englihs
On this site, you can find a list of professionals who speak English in Berlin https://www.speakingnear.com/en
Hey, I am very confused by the EHIC and its real coverage.. So, does it only cover ‘necessary’ treatment? or what does this exactly mean?emergency rooms?or as you mention, I can visit a GPs and gynecologists too, if needed? Thanks so much for your response! Also, if you have specific doctors to offer because of your experiences, would you mind please posting? Thanks!
Hey Kat. This means that you should obtain equal coverage to locals; seeing a GP and a gynecologist is no issue.
Hey .. what is the difference between ‘Cash patients’, ‘private patients’ and ‘self-payers’? I found that some doctors have appointments really quick for these category patients?
Hi there. I have never heard of the difference before. I mean, there is private and public, that’s simple enough. Aren’t cash patients a subset of self-payers?
Welcome to German administration ;)…I’m a German native, so maybe I can help you out here: “Cash patients” are every type of patiets who are paying in cash, no matter if you have an insurance or not, for example some tests are not covered by the insurane or the patient just want to avoid recording in the file. “Privat-Patienten” are the ones having an private insurance, and not being part of the public health service, for the doctor that means he/she get their payment faster. “Selbst-Zahler” are similar to the first group, but here they can also using a card. Best K
Thanks K.
But how do you vet doctors? The database could show dozens. Yelp reviews, Google maps reviews, phone calls, referrals?!
Thanks, pls can you help me find Doctors that speaks Igbo language . Link me if any
Great help, tnx, just check the link, there is unnecessary “3” in the end of it.
Fixed. Thank you.