Not long after arriving in Germany, I felt awful. Unexplained abdominal pain, physical exhaustion and my hair started to fall out. Of course, I needed a doctor’s opinion. “Great!”, I thought, knowing that I could visit for free and that there’d be no cost for any needed medications. But, “What do you mean I have to call clinics and ask if they’ll accept me as a new patient?!”

Germany offers world-class health care with generous coverage through its universal health insurance system. Not only can you access regular preventative medical and dental care, but when you need it, specialty appointments, medications and referrals are available to you much more quickly than I could ever have expected. 

Despite the high level of care, like much of life in Germany, there are a few things you need to know about the system before you get here. 

When I first arrived, I understood that I could go to the doctor for free. More than that? Absolutely not. What do you mean I have to call the local doctor’s clinic and ask if I can be a patient? 

This guide hopes to save you some of the stress I experienced in my first months in Germany, something you absolutely don’t need when you or your kids are sick and just need a doctor. 

Moving to Germany can be complicated. Don’t miss a step! Grab my Thriving from Day One Expat Starter Kit for Germany to be sure you know what to do and where to turn when you need help.

Step 1: Understand Your Health Insurance (BEFORE YOU ARRIVE) 

Germany has a mandatory health insurance system. Every resident must be covered. There is no gap period and no opting out.

You will need full coverage for you and your children before you arrive if you intend to apply for your residence permit in-country (if you’re arranging your residency in your home country, then you will likely need to arrange your health insurance at the time of your application). 

You will be covered by one of two systems:

Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) — Statutory Health Insurance

This is the public health insurance system. If you or your partner are employed in Germany, your children can typically be included in their GKV coverage at no additional cost (Familienversicherung). 

At the time of writing, an accompanying spouse who is unemployed or earning the allowable threshold may also be co-insured under their partner’s GKV policy for free. This is being debated in the federal parliament and could be changed in the coming years. 

Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) — Private Health Insurance

If your partner is self-employed, a civil servant, or earns above the statutory threshold, you may be covered by PKV instead. PKV often provides faster access to specialists and senior doctors, but each family member requires a separate policy with separate premiums. 

In Germany, private coverage is not automatically cheaper or better. If considering this option, seek independent advice before signing on the dotted line.

What You Can Do Now

If you or your partner are already employed, confirm which insurer (Krankenkasse) you and your family will be insured by. Be sure to note down by which parent’s insurance your children will be covered. 

Step 2: Find a Hausarzt (GP/ Family Doctor)

Your Hausarzt is your first point of contact for non-emergency health concerns for adults. You wake up with the flu and can’t work? It’s your Hausarzt who will write you a sick note and give you strict instructions for rest and tea drinking (trust me – it’s the German way!). 

You will be encouraged to have an annual check-up as a part of preventative care, with your vaccination status reviewed and updated as necessary. 

In Germany, you generally need a referral from your Hausarzt to see a specialist. You cannot self-refer to most specialist doctors.

How to find one:

The fastest way to find a Hausarzt in your city who (ideally) offers services in your language is through the search offered by the national registry of doctors. You can filter by specialty, postcode, insurance type (Gesetzlich or Privat), and language.

Jameda (jameda.de) is Germany’s GP review platform. It’s useful for checking patient reviews and confirming whether a practice is currently accepting new patients (nimmt neue Patienten an).

Many practices are full and are unable to accept new patients. The process of calling many practices to find a place is frustrating, but like so many things in Germany, it just needs to be done. 

When you call (or email), ask “Nehmen Sie neue Patienten an? Haben Sie Erfahrung mit englischsprachigen Patienten?” (Do you accept new patients? Do you have experience with English-speaking patients?

Even if the medical practitioner is listed as offering services in English, that doesn’t automatically apply to all staff in the practice. For example, the receptionist or other allied health professionals may not speak English. 

Do not wait until someone is sick to find a Hausarzt. 

Identify your practice in Week 1 and register, even if you don’t need an appointment yet.

Step 3: Find a Kinderarzt (Paediatrician)

Your Kinderarzt is one of the most important medical contacts you will establish in Germany. 

In the German system, children don’t see a GP. They have their own specialist doctor, the Kinderarzt (also called Kinder- und Jugendarzt), from birth through to 18 years.

Your Kinderarzt handles:

• Routine check-ups (U-Untersuchungen: the developmental examinations at set ages, tracked in the yellow Kinderuntersuchungsheft. You’ll get one if your child is within the age range for one)
• Vaccinations
• Illnesses, infections, and acute concerns
• Referrals to paediatric specialists if needed
• School readiness assessments

How to find one:

Use the same search feature from the federal registry of doctors, selecting Kinder- und Jugendmedizin as the specialty and filtering for your postcode and insurance type.

Kinderarzt practices can have significant waiting lists for new patients, particularly if you have more than one child, are seeking English-only services, or your children have additional needs. 

Start this process of registration with a Kinderarzt as early as possible. 

Before you arrive, if possible. 

What to bring to your first appointment:

• Your Krankenkasse card (Krankenversicherungskarte). Bring it to every appointment. 
• Your child’s vaccination record (bring the original and the Kinderarzt will have this information put onto the Impfpass, the EU Vaccination record). 
• Any documentation you have about your child’s health or ongoing health concerns (they do not need a record of every cold or cough, just the big stuff: their birth, any chronic or serious illnesses or injuries sustained). 
• If your child requires medication, any documentation you have about the child’s diagnosis and current medication. 

Know What to Do in an Emergency

If you’re reading this before you’ve even landed, take a breath.
You don’t have to hold all of this in your head.

I built the free Expat Starter Kit specifically for this stage: a checklist to register your Hausarzt and Kinderarzt in your first week or two, the exact German phrases to use on the phone, and what to bring to that first appointment, all in one place. Grab it here.

Think of it as the notes I wish someone had handed me in 2020.

Save these numbers in your phone in case of emergency. Not having to think about it when emergency strikes can save you both time and worry. 

• Emergency services (Notruf): 112 (police, fire, ambulance) Operators are not legally obliged to support you in any language other than German, though typically they will be able to.
  
• Medical emergency line (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst): 116 117. This is the out-of-hours medical line for situations that are urgent but not life-threatening. Available evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Unfortunately this hotline only operates in German.
  
• Pharmacy out-of-hours (Notdienstapotheke): Every city has a rotating pharmacy open outside normal hours. Find yours at aponet.de or look for the Notdienst sign in any pharmacy window.
  
• Contact details of your Kinderarzt and Hausarzt: These will always be asked for if you visit a specialist or out-of-hours clinic. Details of the consult and any recommended follow-up actions will be shared with your usual medical practitioner.   

One Final Note

The German healthcare system, once you understand it, is genuinely excellent. It’s thorough, well-resourced, and largely free at point of use under the statutory health insurance. The initial confusion is real but temporary. Getting your Hausarzt and Kinderarzt registered in Week 1 or 2, and understanding your insurance coverage before you arrive, transforms healthcare from a source of anxiety into a source of security.

If you’re the DIY type, download the free Expat Starter Kit. It covers healthcare and the other big first-month essentials, so you’re not figuring it out solo.

Don’t just survive your first 30 days in Germany, thrive.

The Expat Starter Kit for Germany includes a first-month planner, helpful phrases for appointments and where to find support in your early days in Germany.

Get your FREE Expat Starter Kit

If you’d rather talk it through, especially if your situation involves self-employment, a partner’s visa, or anything that doesn’t fit neatly into “just get GKV”, that’s exactly what a Germany Clarity Call is for. We’ll map out your family’s specific path, healthcare included, so you can arrive knowing what to do instead of hoping you’ll figure it out.

The post Healthcare in Germany: What You Need to Know First appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.

If you’re moving abroad with children, packing is never just about fitting things into suitcases.

And if Germany is your destination, there are a few additional layers to consider.

German systems are structured, paperwork-heavy, and often less flexible than families expect. Housing looks different. Seasons behave differently. Even everyday items, from bedding to medicine, don’t always work the way you’re used to.

As a relocation coach supporting professional mothers moving to Germany with their families, I’ve seen how thoughtful, Germany-aware packing can significantly ease the first months here. I remember the daunting task of packing up a family life. Standing in our home, surrounded by boxes, I realised that this was less about what I needed to take and more about what I was ready to leave behind. 

This guide is designed to sit alongside a broader international packing framework. If you haven’t already, start with The Ultimate Packing Guide for Families Moving Abroad. Here I build on that foundation by focusing specifically on what typically surprises families once they arrive in Germany. 

Why Packing for Germany Requires Extra Thought

Germany is bureaucracy-heavy, loaded with the expectation that you know what you ned to do. This can make the first months of settling in tricky, especially if you don’t have everything that you need from day 1. 

From registering your address to enrolling children in school, many systems rely on original documents, in-person appointments, and clear proof of identity and status. That means what you pack, and where you pack it, matters.

There’s also the emotional side.

While you’re finding your feet, you new home in Germany may feel restrictive and impersonal at first. Small familiar items often become anchors while families adjust to new routines, a new language, and a more structured daily rhythm.

Must-Have Documents to Keep in Hand Luggage 

Germany relies heavily on original paperwork. Digital copies are a helpful backup, but they are rarely sufficient on their own.

Keep the following original documents in your hand luggage:

• Passports
  
• Residence permits (if already issued)
  
• Birth certificates for all family members
  
• Marriage certificate
  
• Vaccination and medical records
  
• School records and report cards
  
• High school certificates and university diplomas
  
• Proof of German health insurance
  
• Employment contracts
  
• Driver’s licence and international driving permit
  
  

You will be asked for these documents repeatedly — often months after arrival. A clearly organised folder will save time and stress.

➡️ You’ll find a step-by-step explanation of how these documents are used in daily German bureaucracy and how to prepare yourself for all appointments in my guide Conquering German Bureaucracy.

Clothing for Life in Germany (Not Just the Weather)

Germany has four very distinct seasons. Family life continues outside during each season (yes, even when it’s really cold and dark!). 

This surprises a lot of families, especially those arriving from warmer or more temperate climates.

Trust me. I spent most of the first Winter cold and sure that my little girl was also freezing. I had no idea how to dress to be outside in minus temperatures. My thinking was: stay inside. 

Germany-specific clothing essentials

• Waterproof jackets and rain pants (used year-round)
  
• Solid walking shoes for cobblestones and public transport
  
• Thermal layers (not just for winter)
  
• Indoor shoes or slippers (almost mandatory in schools, Kindergartens and homes)
  

If you’re arriving without experience of cold winters, buy heavy winter gear after you get here. The quality here is designed for European Winters. And yes, you will notice the difference. 

If cost is a problem, know that there’s a strong second-hand market in Germany and lots of high-quality winter gear can be purchased at a fraction of the cost.

School and Kindergarten Reality in Germany

German schools rarely have uniforms, but they do expect:

• age-appropriate independence
  
• outdoor play in all weather
  
• practical clothing
  

Pack:

• comfortable everyday clothes
  
• weatherproof outdoor gear
  
• spare layers for long days
  
• Slippers to be worn inside.
  

Children are expected to go outside, often even in rain and cold. Having appropriate clothing from the start saves you and your child a lot of stress and confusion.

Things You’ll Regret NOT Packing

In the first weeks in your new home, your family probably won’t miss the big things. 

More likely, you’ll miss the quiet, familiar items that you took completely for granted before relocating. 

Think: 

• comfort objects for children
  
• trusted medicines
  
• preferred baby gear
  
• school supplies your child already uses
  

We opted to leave my daughter’s nightlight behind, knowing there was a new one waiting for us in Germany. During her first attempt at sleeping in her new room, she immediately asked, “Where’s my light?”. It broke my heart and proved the importance of these comfort items in our family. 

Some medications available over the counter elsewhere require prescriptions in Germany. Bring enough for the first week to avoid unnecessary doctor visits during an already intense period.

Household Items That Are Tricky to Find in Germany

Families freshly arrived in Germany are often surprised by:

• German bedding styles
  
• pillow sizes and softness
  
• kitchen measurement systems
  
• limited availability of certain pantry items
  
  

If you’re particular about sleep, cooking, or daily routines, bring:

• your preferred pillow and blankets
  
• essential kitchen tools (measuring cups in your preferred measurements)
  
• starter pantry items (brown sugar and self-raising flour are two examples that I can’t easily access here!)
  

Avoid large appliances and furniture. German apartments are often smaller, and power outlets may be an issue.

Your First Week in Germany: Survival Packing

If you’re shipping items, be sure to pack these in a suitcase and bring them with you for your first week in Germany. 

Include:

• several days of clothing
  
• toiletries
  
• bedtime items
  
• chargers and adapters
  
• documents
  

Ask yourself:

If everything else was delayed, what would help us function in Germany during week one?

That’s what goes in this kit.

Why? Avoiding unnecessary trips to the supermarkets and clothing stores offers you more time and space to overcome jetlag and slowly step into your new life in Germany. 

What NOT to Bring to Germany

ILess is more when moving abroad. 

Focus on essentials and items that will support a smooth transition for you and your family.

Here are my tips on what not to pack for your new chapter in Germany: 

• Bulky or cheap furniture
  
• Over-the-counter medicines you rarely use
  
• Food that may not be allowed through customs
  
• Out-of-season children’s clothing

Germany has a strong secondhand market and affordable children’s clothing options once you’re settled.

Final Packing Advice for Families Moving to Germany

Start earlier than you think.
Be selective, not sentimental.
Label everything clearly. This helps you and the German system more accurately process everything. 

And don’t forget to involve your children where possible.

But most importantly: give yourself permission not to get this perfect.

If you’re preparing for an international move and want a broader framework first, start with The Ultimate Packing Guide for Families Moving Abroad.

If Germany is your destination, this guide will help you avoid the most common and unnecessary stress points families encounter after arrival.

➡️ Download my free Thriving from Day One: Expat Family Starter Pack for Germany, including your FREE printable packing checklist, to make this process even smoother. 

➡️ Download the Expat Starter Kit for emotional and practical transition support.

The post The Ultimate Packing Guide For Families Moving To Germany appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.