The German healthcare system has various points of contact to deal with your issues and symptoms.
Generally, there is a distinction between outpatient medical care provided by primary care physicians and inpatient medical care provided by hospitals. Furthermore, many advisory and support services are available covering a wide range of topics.
Hospital emergency rooms are only used to treat actual emergency cases.
In Germany there is a wide range of medical and dental services. Treatment is free of charge if you have medical insurance. If you have a medical complaint during office hours from Monday to Friday, you should visit a primary care physician (also known as a family doctor) located not at a hospital but at a primary care practice, of which there are many across the city. You must call in advance to schedule an appointment. Always bring your medical insurance card to every appointment. Your primary care physician examines you and, depending on the diagnosis, provides treatment, refers you to a specialist physician, or, for emergency cases, refers you directly to the emergency room. Primary care physicians can also prescribe medication. The same applies to dental care.
Where can I find a primary care practice?
You can find the address and office hours of primary care practices in Bremen and Bremerhaven here and can filter the services by the foreign languages spoken: Arztsuche bei der Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Bremen
The regional appointment service center (TSS) of the Association for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians schedule appointments with physicians or physiotherapists within a given period of time.
The service center is available around the clock by calling 116 117 or online.
116117.app
On public holidays, outside of practice office hours, and on weekends, there are medical on-call services that you can contact. Contact the medical on-call service if you have acute symptoms or require a prescription for medication. You can contact the on-call service directly or call the telephone hotline 0049 116 117, which is available around the clock.
The medical on-call services in Bremen and Bremerhaven are listed here Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst
Hospitals in the state of Bremen
Comprehensive information on individual hospitals and care services in the state of Bremen can be found here: www.krankenhauswegweiser.bremen.de
Medication and bandages can be found at pharmacies. Every pharmacy in Germany can be found on the following website: Apothekensuche
The emergency pharmacy service enables medications to be collected outside of normal business hours. The nearest on-duty pharmacy to you can be found here: Apotheken-Notdienst
Some types of medication require a prescription from your physician.
When pregnant in Germany, your treating physician will give you a “Mutterpass” (maternity record). This document records all information relating to your pregnancy check-ups, the course of your pregnancy, and your child’s development during pregnancy. You can also receive care from a midwife during and after your pregnancy. You can find a midwife in Bremen by visiting the following website: Hebammensuche Bremen
Additionally, there are also several midwifery centers located in Bremen: HebammenZentrum Bremen
You can find a list of clinics with obstetric departments in Bremen here:
Geburtskliniken im Land Bremen
Here you can find further information and advisory services relating to pregnancy and giving birth: Frauengesundheit
The website “Willkommen in der Familie” from familiennetz Bremen has compiled important information and addresses for all family-related topics: Willkommen in der Familie - familiennetz bremen
Please consult a gynecological practice if you require acute care.
The state of Bremen provides a range of mental health and support services. A clear overview of all assistance available in Bremen to people with mental health problems and/or problematic drug use, and their families, is offered by psychnavi.
There are various ways to search the assistance services provided: Psychnavi Bremen
The following website contains the addresses of psychotherapeutic practices in Bremen and Bremerhaven. They can be filtered based on the foreign languages spoken.
Arztsuche bei der Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Bremen
You can find help at the outpatient addiction care service: Ambulante Suchthilfe
You can download the flyer from Ambulanten Suchthilfe Bremen in various languages here: Flyer der Ambulanten Suchthilfe
German: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen (pdf, 282.9 KB)
English: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe englisch (pdf, 487.3 KB)
Arabic: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen arabisch (pdf, 422.9 KB)
Persian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen Persisch (pdf, 419.7 KB)
Romanian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen roma (pdf, 484.3 KB)
Russian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen russisch (pdf, 493 KB)
Serbian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen serbisch (pdf, 487.6 KB)
Turkish: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Bremen türkisch (pdf, 488.3 KB)
Bulgarian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe bulgarisch (pdf, 485.6 KB)
Macedonian: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe mazedonisch (pdf, 486.8 KB)
Somali: ASHB Flyer Geflüchtete Suchthilfe Somali (pdf, 531.9 KB)
The portal “Bremen barrierefrei” provides practical tips and useful information
The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen’s Landesbehindertenbeauftragte (The Commissioner for matters relating to persons with disabilities) has put together a multi-language flyer about the available advice and support system for people with disabilities: Mehrsprachige Flyer Landesbehindertenbeauftragter Bremen
Advocacy and advice for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and their families, is provided by the Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft (LAG) Selbsthilfe behinderter Menschen Bremen e.V. Download the multi-language flyer listing their services here: Mehrsprachige Flyer Landesbehindertenbeauftragter Bremen
You can find contact persons for people with mental health and addiction problems here:
For all issues relating to people with disabilities, people requiring nursing care, legal services, and social services for people in exceptional circumstances, please contact the Department of Social Affairs, Office 30:Ansprechpartner:innen Referat 30, Soziales
