Online doctor in Germany. How telemedicine works.
In Germany you can also see a doctor online, without visiting a practice, if this is medically justified. This guide explains what the law allows, how an online consultation at 420doc works, what you should have ready, how your data is protected and when you need a doctor in person or emergency help. Everything at 420doc works in English.
Last updated 23 Oct 2026
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2026
Chapter Is it allowed
In short
- Treatment exclusively at a distance is allowed in Germany in individual cases if it is medically justified (§ 7(4) of the professional code for doctors, MBO-Ä).
- The doctor decides whether an online review is enough and can ask for a video call or an in-person appointment.
- You'll need an official ID, a list of your medicines and, if available, medical records.
- Health data is transmitted encrypted; ID photos and uploaded files are stored encrypted on servers in Germany.
- Telemedicine is not for emergencies: if your life is at risk, call 112; outside surgery hours, call the on-call medical service on 116117.
Is telemedicine allowed in Germany?
Yes. Since 2018 the professional code for doctors has allowed advice and treatment exclusively via communication media, that is, without meeting in person first, in individual cases where this is medically justified and the necessary medical care is taken (§ 7(4) MBO-Ä). The doctor must also explain to the patient what is special about this kind of treatment.
The same applies to medical cannabis as of 23 October 2026: doctors may prescribe it after a telemedical review, and pharmacies may ship flowers. The restriction proposed by the government (Bundestag Drucksache 21/3061) has not been passed. More in the guide Medical cannabis in Germany and on the page about the legal situation.
How an online consultation works at 420doc
- Questionnaire: you answer medical questions online, entirely in English if you like.
- ID check: you upload a photo of your ID; requests without a successful check aren't passed on to the doctor.
- Doctor's review: the doctor reviews your information and, if needed, asks follow-up questions through your patient area.
- Decision: prescription or decline, you get an answer either way. If your request is declined, the prescription fee is refunded in full.
- Status: at every step you can see where your request stands in your patient area.
A conversation with the doctor isn't required for a prescription request. If you'd like to talk to the doctor, you can book a video consultation or an in-person appointment in Düsseldorf, in German, English or Turkish. This can make sense, for example, if you have several conditions, take a lot of medicines or aren't sure whether the treatment is right for you. Looking for an English-speaking doctor? That's exactly what this option is for.
The video consultation runs in your browser. The one-to-one conversation is encrypted end to end and is not recorded.
Each step is explained in more detail on the page How it works.
Your prescription, electronically
If the doctor prescribes a medicine, the prescription is signed with a qualified electronic signature and sent digitally to the pharmacy in Germany you chose. A copy of the prescription and your medication plan are stored in your patient area.
You collect the medicine from a pharmacy near you or have it delivered to your home in neutral packaging.
What you need for an online consultation
The name on your account must match your ID, spelled exactly as it appears there. How to prepare medical records from the UK, the US or anywhere else is explained in the guide Medical records from abroad.
Data protection: what happens to your data
Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, in German DSGVO), health data is a special category of personal data (Art. 9). At 420doc this means:
- Data between your browser and our servers is only sent over an encrypted connection (HTTPS).
- The servers and the database are located in Germany.
- Photos of your ID and uploaded medical records are stored encrypted.
- Your medical records are only seen by the doctor reviewing your request.
- Only the pharmacy you choose receives the prescription; it needs it to dispense the medicine.
- Neither your health insurer nor your employer receives automatic notifications; doctors are bound by medical confidentiality.
All services and retention periods are described in detail in the privacy policy (the German version is legally binding).
The limits of telemedicine and emergencies
Not everything can be clarified online. The doctor can't examine you, listen to your chest or run tests. So they may ask to see you in person, refer you to another doctor or decline online treatment.
Emergency
Your life is at risk
- Call 112: free of charge, 24 hours a day, throughout Germany.
- For example: severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, signs of a stroke.
You need a doctor, but it's not urgent
Evenings, nights, weekends
- Call 116117, the on-call medical service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst).
- During surgery hours: your GP or a practice nearby.
Telemedicine in English: which language is used
Frequently asked questions about telemedicine in Germany
Is seeing an online doctor legal in Germany?
Yes. The professional code for doctors allows treatment exclusively at a distance in individual cases if it is medically justified. The doctor decides.
Do I need a German health insurance card?
No. 420doc doesn't bill health insurance and doesn't read your card. To confirm your identity you need an official document, such as a passport or residence permit.
Can I talk to an English-speaking doctor by video?
Yes. A conversation isn't required for a prescription request, but you can book a video consultation or an in-person appointment in Düsseldorf if you wish, in German, English or Turkish.
How safe is my data?
Data is transmitted encrypted, the servers are in Germany and documents are stored encrypted. Your medical records are only seen by the reviewing doctor, and the prescription only by the pharmacy you choose.
What do I do in an emergency?
If your life is at risk, call 112. If you need a doctor in the evening, at night or at the weekend, call the on-call medical service on 116117. An online request is not suitable for emergencies.
Read more
See a doctor online. Reviewed by doctors.
An online questionnaire in English, a review by doctors based in Germany and, if the therapy is suitable for you, an e-prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.