As an expat in Frankfurt, you will need to understand how the medical care system works in this city. Even if you are relatively healthy, it is better to understand how to obtain medical care before an illness or accident happens.

First, if a medical emergency arises, you simply need to dial 112 from any pay phone or cellular phone in Frankfurt. The operator will assist you in obtaining ambulance or first aid services, and in getting you to one of the city’s many hospitals. Keep in mind, though, that the operators typically do not speak English, so you should know enough German to communicate your location and the nature of your emergency.

Second, all residents of Frankfurt must have health insurance coverage to use the services of a hospital, doctor, or medical clinic. In fact, health insurance is required to obtain a residency permit in Germany. The simplest way to obtain health insurance is to purchase an international medical care policy before you depart from your home country. There are several international companies, including Cigna and Allainz, that offer international medical care policies that will cover your medical expenses while you are living in Frankfurt.

If you will be working for a German employer, your company should be able to arrange healthcare coverage for you prior to your arrival in Frankfurt.

When you arrive in Frankfurt, you should establish a relationship with a doctor in the city, to obtain routine medical care and obtain referrals for specialized care. You can find a list of doctors and specialists in Frankfurt at frankfurt.usconsulate.gov.

Frankfurt has a modern and extensive medical care system, comprised of numerous hospitals and medical clinics. Take the time to find out where the closest hospital to your home is located, so you can easily get to the hospital in case of an emergency or illness.

The most popular hospitals with expats are:

Bürgerhospital

Nibelungenallee 37-41

60318 Frankfurt

Tel: 069 15 00 0

Diakonissen Krankenhaus

Holzhausenstr. 72

60322 Frankfurt

Tel: 069 15 23 0

Elisabethen Krankenhaus

Ginnheimerstr. 3

60487 Frankfurt

Tel: 069 79 39 0

All of the hospitals listed here employ some English speaking staff members, but it is a good idea to have a decent grasp of the German language, in case you need to consult with a doctor who does not speak English.