Germany: mental health support abroad
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Germany.
What to do in an emergency
Depending on the situation, you can:
- call the emergency number 112 in case of life-threatening symptoms, such as shortness of breath or when someone is unconscious
- call the emergency number 110 (police) in case of external or self-danger
- go to the nearest hospital emergency ward (in German, Notaufnahme)
Help from the British embassy or consulate
If you need support for mental health issues in Germany but are not sure how to access it, contact the British embassy or consulate.
Find out what help they can give you in a medical emergency abroad.
Less urgent mental health support if you’re living in Germany
Find out about accessing GPs (Hausarzt in German) and healthcare if you’re living in Germany.
You can also make an appointment with a psychologist (in German, Psychologe) or a psychiatrist (in German, Psychiater) in a private practice. Your GP might be able to suggest one, or you can contact one directly.
In addition to these options, there is a diverse and extensive psychiatric care system in Germany which can offer you support. For example, there are psychiatric clinics and outpatient departments nationwide that can help you. There is standard care in psychiatric specialist practices and psychotherapeutic practices.
Most major towns have centres set up for easy access to social-psychiatric services (in German, Sozialpsychiatrischer Dienst). These centres are often linked to a hospital and are specifically for people with mental health needs who require help. The centres have teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other health workers, and there are dedicated centres for adults and for children. In smaller towns, you should approach the local hospital which will make a referral if necessary. You can also check the location of your nearest SPD on Google maps.
Important: Please always keep all medical records. If you have brought documents from home, please keep them safe. Make sure you also keep all health-related documents you receive in Germany. For the physicians, the information contained is important information for the continuation of your treatment.
Paying for treatment: tourists and short-term visitors
Comprehensive travel insurance for your trip is also highly recommended. Make sure it includes the necessary cover to ensure you can get any mental health treatment you might need.
If you’re visiting Germany for a short time and normally live in the UK with healthcare provided by the NHS you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
This covers medically necessary treatment you may need during your visit if you’re ill or have an accident, as well as treatment for long-term (chronic) conditions and existing illnesses.
Read travel advice for details of getting and using your EHIC or GHIC.
Paying for treatment: German residents
Read guidance on accessing healthcare in Germany. The German government also has guidance on social security in Germany.
Prescriptions
You should contact a local psychiatrist (Psychiater) to issue you a prescription for a mental health issue. Carrying a copy of your UK prescription can help German doctors to find the same or similar medication.
You may have to pay something towards the cost of your prescription. If you have an EHIC or GHIC, this should be the same as a German citizen.
Pharmacies are open during the daytime, but every city and region will have one or more pharmacies that open around the clock to deal with emergencies. The pharmacy closest to you should display a notice saying where the nearest emergency pharmacy is. You can also check the location of the nearest emergency pharmacy (only available in German).
Compulsory hospitalisation
As in the UK, people with mental health needs may be hospitalised and detained without having given their consent, if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or to others. In German this is called ‘psychiatrische Versorgung ohne Einwilligung’. This is comparable to the UK’s ‘sectioning’ procedure but there are also significant differences in procedure and law.
As this type of involuntary admission is governed by state mental health laws, there are considerable differences in the details of the regulation of the process. In general, either police or municipal authorities must rule that an acute psychiatric admission is necessary, a medical doctor must testify that a mental disorder is the cause, and within a very short time of the admission a regional or local court must confirm the rightfulness of the psychiatric admission, following expert psychiatric testimony.
Families do not play any formal role in the process, although they can apply for involuntary admission of a family member under the Federal Civil Code, or they can be installed as legal guardians by a court following state codes.
‘Guardianship’
A legal guardian is a person who has been court-appointed to care for and help another person and make decisions on their behalf. Essentially, a legal guardian assumes legal responsibility for another person. The court order specifies which areas of life the legal guardian is responsible for. This could include representation before the authorities or decisions regarding finance, healthcare or residence.
If you feel it would be helpful to have a legal guardian appointed an application can be made with the local court (in German, Amtsgericht) to have an assessment done. It may be helpful to consult with a lawyer specialising in legal guardianship (Betreuungsrecht in German) for advice and support with this kind of application and for dealing with the court.
You may find the following article from the US National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health on the Mental Health Law in Germany to be another useful source of information. This article explains the three routes to involuntary detention in hospital due to mental disorder . Again, please note that this information does not constitute legal advice, for which you will need to consult a lawyer.
Return to the UK
Read guidance on returning to the UK in medical emergencies or hospitalisation abroad.
Disclaimer
Read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.