Germany Guide: Pharmacies, How to get medication in Germany: In Germany, you get medicines from dispensing

Pharmacies.
By Just Landed.
BDAE’s international health insurance plans keep you protected in Germany, back home and around the world. From comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment to medical evacuation, their low-cost plans have you covered.
In Germany health insurance is mandatory. If you are living and working in Germany you have the right to choose from a range of insurance companies. Make sure that you are getting the right coverage fitting you and your families needs.
SBK offers expats in Germany a health insurance policy made for people living abroad. From their English-speaking personal customer advisors to their international cover, they’re an ideal choice for foreigners in Germany.
In Germany, you get medicines from dispensing chemists/pharmacies ( Apotheke ), denoted by a large red A. These should not be confused with drugstores ( Drogerie ) where you can buy toiletries.
There are two types of medication: freely-available drugs and prescription only medicines, which require a Rezept (prescription) from a doctor. The prescription is taken to the pharmacy by the patient and the pharmacist issues the medicines.
The law on prescriptions is very strict. Many medicines that you may be able to buy over the counter in your own country, such as antibiotics, must be prescribed by a doctor in Germany. However, some painkillers, such as headache tablets, are available at pharmacies without a prescription.
With state health insurance, the majority of the costs of prescription medicines are paid for directly by your insurance company. You do pay a small nominal fee for each drug, depending on its cost ( Zuzahlungspflicht ). If your gross monthly income is below a certain level you can exempted from paying additional charges for prescriptions. See our section on health insurance for further details. With private insurance, you pay for medication and then send receipts to your insurer for reimbursement.
Irrespective of your insurance scheme, you will always need to pay the whole cost for non-prescription drugs. Medicines in Germany are among the most expensive in Europe, so bring a supply of non-prescription painkillers, cold remedies and other items with you.
Opening hours of pharmacies are similar to other shops: Weekdays 09:00-18:30, Saturdays 09:00-13:00 (sometimes -16.00). For emergencies, there is always at least one pharmacy open in every area day and night. See our section on emergencies for further details. And, for up-to-date news related to pharmacies and medicine in Germany, check out our website on expatriate health: http://www.expathealth.org.
There are two types of medication: freely-available drugs and prescription only medicines, which require a Rezept (prescription) from a doctor. The prescription is taken to the pharmacy by the patient and the pharmacist issues the medicines.
The law on prescriptions is very strict. Many medicines that you may be able to buy over the counter in your own country, such as antibiotics, must be prescribed by a doctor in Germany. However, some painkillers, such as headache tablets, are available at pharmacies without a prescription.
With state health insurance, the majority of the costs of prescription medicines are paid for directly by your insurance company. You do pay a small nominal fee for each drug, depending on its cost ( Zuzahlungspflicht ). If your gross monthly income is below a certain level you can exempted from paying additional charges for prescriptions. See our section on health insurance for further details. With private insurance, you pay for medication and then send receipts to your insurer for reimbursement.
Irrespective of your insurance scheme, you will always need to pay the whole cost for non-prescription drugs. Medicines in Germany are among the most expensive in Europe, so bring a supply of non-prescription painkillers, cold remedies and other items with you.
Opening hours of pharmacies are similar to other shops: Weekdays 09:00-18:30, Saturdays 09:00-13:00 (sometimes -16.00). For emergencies, there is always at least one pharmacy open in every area day and night. See our section on emergencies for further details. And, for up-to-date news related to pharmacies and medicine in Germany, check out our website on expatriate health: http://www.expathealth.org.
Health insurance for expats in Germany.
BDAE’s international health insurance plans keep you protected in Germany, back home and around the world. From comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment to medical evacuation, their low-cost plans have you covered.
Health Insurance for Germany.
In Germany health insurance is mandatory. If you are living and working in Germany you have the right to choose from a range of insurance companies. Make sure that you are getting the right coverage fitting you and your families needs.
German health insurance for expats.
SBK offers expats in Germany a health insurance policy made for people living abroad. From their English-speaking personal customer advisors to their international cover, they’re an ideal choice for foreigners in Germany.
Further reading.
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