COVID testing and vaccination
Firstly, there is no mandatory vaccination in Germany. However, to participate in public life there can be different rules where you either might have to be vaccinated, cured or tested.
When there are are many COVID cases in Germany it is important to reduce infection rates by getting tested, vaccinated and following all protective measures.
- Find a testing location in my area: Testen | Zusammen gegen Corona
- Find a vaccination location in my area: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit | Corona-Schutzimpfung
For current rules, please click here: Coronavirus: Public life
Related Questions
You are considered fully vaccinated with two vaccinations and one booster.
Rules vary in different areas, depending on the severity of the pandemic. For current rules, please click here: Coronavirus: Public life
Ukrainian vaccination certificates are valid in Germany if the vaccine used has been approved in the EU. Please check this list:
| Comirnaty | BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH |
| Spikevax | Moderna Biotech Spain, S.L. |
| Vaxzevria | AstraZeneca AB, Schweden |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen | Janssen-Cilag International NV |
| Nuvaxovid | Novavax CZ a.s. |
There are different rules in different areas. We suggest you ask the testing location, your local contacts or read this link: When do I have to quarantine or self-isolate?
According to the current ordinance on testing, all Ukrainians are entitled to at least one free rapid test (PoC test) per week, whether they are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or not.
You can purchase self-tests in pharmacies and supermarkets. Also ask your guest families/social workers about self-tests.
Find a hospital
If you become ill or have a medical emergency at night or on a weekend, you have a large network of support services available in Germany.
Important telephone numbers:
- Emergency medical service: 112
- Poison hotline: +49 30 19240
- Medical on-call service: 116 117
Pharmacies also have a night and emergency service.
The following are examples of medical emergencies (medizinische Notfälle):
- acute shortness of breath
- acute pain in the chest
- acute pain in the abdomen
- acute dizziness
- accidents and injuries
- complications during pregnancy
- acute mental distress
- acute danger of suicide
- drug-related emergency
- allergic shock
- loss of consciousness or coma.
In these cases, you should seek immediate help by calling an ambulance (112) or by going to an emergency response center or a doctor.
Important: please contact the staff of your reception center for responsible persons and medical staff in case of emergency!
Resource: Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community
If you need to see a doctor on a holiday, please call 116 117 ore go to your local hospital. On holidays only some pharmacies are open. You can find open pharmacies on the internet.
You can find a hospital here: GERMAN HOSPITAL DIRECTORY
Related Questions
Please only visit a hospital in case of an emergency. Otherwise, please go to a doctor first who might refer you to a hospital.
Hospital visits will be covered by the German healthcare system.
Get mental health support
Psychiatric help
Please note that for a prescription for psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, prescription sleeping pills, you need to talk to a psychiatrist.
Find a psychologist or psychiatrist in my area: Psychiater, Psychotherapeuten und Fachärzte für Psychosomatik in Kliniken, Praxen sowie Reha-Kliniken in Deutschland
Psychological help
In many German cities there are now private and university initiatives providing psychological help and therapists for Ukrainian refugees. Please ask your social worker, guest family or search the Internet for psychological help available in your area.
There is also a website that offers free online and live counseling for Ukrainian refugees with counselors from all over the world.
Dental health
Dental treatment will be covered in case of illnesses requiring acute treatment, associated with pain. Other benefits can only be granted if they are essential to safeguard health or relate to the special needs of children.
Dental prostheses are only paid for if, in the individual case, they cannot be postponed for medical reasons. It is up to the dentist to make this decision.
Please bring your treatment certificate (Behandlungsschein).
You can find a dentist here: Zahnarztsuche
Get medication & medical aids
Get a prescription through a videocall with a doctor
Through this website telemedically trained physicians are available around the clock. Doctors with a German license to practice medicine will help you quickly via videocall.
In case of language barriers, an interpreter will be connected to ensure good communication between doctor and patient.
All information is subject to medical confidentiality.
A smartphone or a telephone or a laptop and a stable Internet connection are needed for your videocall. After a short registration process, treatment appointments are offered for booking. After booking, a link for the video consultation is sent via e-mail. Via this link, the doctor and patient can – as desired – conduct a telephone conversation or additionally activate the camera in the technically secure environment.
If medication is needed for therapy, our doctors can also issue a prescription. If a visit to the doctor is necessary, our doctors will also issue a referral slip and a doctor’s letter.
Get a prescription through a doctor in my area
You can find a doctor here: ARZTSUCHE IN DEUTSCHLAND
Please note that when looking for a specialist, you first go to a General Practitioner (Allgemeinarzt) who will give you a referral. Exceptions: Pediatricians, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) specialists.
- Fill prescription via mail order pharmacy
- Fill prescription via pharmacy in my area
Related Questions
b. Insulin is covered by the treatment certificate (Behandlungsschein) wich you get from your social services office (Sozialamt). You need a prescription from a doctor but in life-threatening cases you will get in in a pharmacy might consult a doctor via telephone.
Common painkillers like Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol can be bought in any pharmacy without prescription. In those cases, you’ll have to pay for them. If you get a prescription, they are free.
You need to a schedule a visit with an ophthalmologist (Augenarzt) or an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) specialist. You do not have to go to a General Practitioner (Allgemeinarzt) first. You can find an ophthalmologist (Augenarzt) in your area here: https://www.arzt-auskunft.de
Talk to a doctor
In Germany you first talk to a “General Practicioner” (“Allgemeinarzt”), who will be able to help you with most common issues or refer you to a specialist.
Exceptions are: pediatricians, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) specialists.
Videocall a doctor for consultation
Through this website telemedically trained physicians are available around the clock . Doctors with a German license to practice medicine and trained in telemedicine will help you quickly and easily via video consultation.
In case of language barriers, an interpreter will be connected to ensure good communication between doctor and patient.
All information is subject to medical confidentiality.
A smartphone or a telephone or a laptop and a stable Internet connection are needed for your videocall. After a short registration process, treatment appointments are offered for booking. After booking, a link for the video consultation is sent via e-mail. Via this link, the doctor and patient can – as desired – both conduct a telephone conversation or additionally activate the camera in the technically secure environment.
If medication is needed for therapy, our doctors can also issue a prescription. If a visit to the doctor is necessary, our doctors will also issue a referral slip and a doctor’s letter.
This videocall will be free if you have a treatment certificate which is a document that provides financial coverage for basic medical needs. You can get this document from a social services office (Sozialamt).
You can pay for the consultation with flat fee of 35 Euro per videocall yourself (at whatever length required).
If you cannot pay for this videocall or do not have a treatment certificate, Medgate offers a onetime videocall with a doctor free of charge. Please note, that this will not cover any expenses for medication.
Please click on the link below to schedule a talk with a doctor via videocall or telephone.
Find a doctor in my area
You can look up doctors here: ARZTSUCHE IN DEUTSCHLAND
Again, before going to a specialist you should visit a “General Practitioner” (“Allgemeinarzt”), who will be able to help you with most common issues – or refer you to a specialist. Exceptions are: pediatricians, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) specialists.
Related Questions
You can choose between a Ukrainian-speaking doctor, an English-speaking doctor or a German-speaking doctor.
Or you can bring a person who can translate with you.
Or we can conference an Ukrainian/English-speaking person into the call.
Important medications will be prescribed by a doctor and are often covered by the treatment certificate you get from your Social Services Office.