Health services
In Germany, health insurance is compulsory for all people who are registered in the country.
Everyone who is registered in Germany is required to have statutory or private health insurance. If you have health insurance, you will usually have to pay little or nothing towards the cost of treatment.
Refugees are entitled to medical benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG). The law defines different levels of benefits depending on the duration and status of residence.
In the case of life-threatening illnesses and serious health problems, anyone in Germany can go to a doctor's surgery or a central emergency room (regardless of health insurance).
Clearing centres in many federal states can help people with unclear or no health insurance. Overview of clearing centers.
If you have experienced physical injuries or sexual violence, e.g. rape, it is important to seek medical care as quickly as possible.
Many hospital emergency departments, forensic medical examination centers or violence protection outpatient clinics offer forensic documentation of injuries and confidential forensic evidence after sexual violence. Documentation and confidential preservation of evidence is also possible without a police report (Section 27 (1) SGB V). However, implementation varies from region to region and many examination centers (hospitals) require a police report. Treating physicians are bound to confidentiality and may not pass on any information to the police, for example. This means that the person can basically decide for themselves whether they want to use the documentation of their injuries. However, if criminal proceedings are initiated, the court can order the release of the documents.
You can find a list of forensic medical examination centres at ODABS website.
There is also a right to immediate help for mental health problems following domestic/sexual violence. Outpatient trauma centres offer psychosocial or psychotherapeutic help.
- Further psychosocial support in cases of sexual violence is provided by counselling centres.Psychosocial support and counselling is also available through the "Violence against women" helpline and women's advice centres and women's emergency hotlines (bff search).
- Male victims of sexual violence can contact the "Violence against men" helpline.
If you are in an acute crisis, contact your doctor or call 112. Telephone counselling is available around the clock and free of charge.
