How to See a Doctor Abroad as a Student
Getting medical care in a foreign country is confusing — until you know the rules. In Germany you need a Hausarzt, in the UK you must register with a GP, in France you declare a médecin traitant, and in Japan you can walk into almost any clinic without an appointment. Miss these steps and you either pay full price out of pocket or wait weeks for an appointment that could have taken days. This guide breaks down every popular student destination, so you know exactly what to do before you ever feel unwell.
Every system covered here is tied to your health insurance. Make sure your coverage is solid before you arrive — compare student health insurance plans here.
Quick Reference: GP Systems by Country
| Country | System | Appointment Needed? | Avg. GP Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Hausarzt + GKV/PKV card | Recommended | €0–€15 (GKV) |
| 🇬🇧 UK | NHS GP registration | Yes (or walk-in) | £0 (IHS paid) |
| 🇫🇷 France | Médecin traitant | Recommended | €0–€5.50 (CPAM) |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Huisarts | Yes | €0 (basic ZVW) |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | GP clinic / OSHC | Usually not | AUD 0–85 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Clinic / Hospital | Walk-in OK | ¥1,500–¥6,000 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | PCP or urgent care | Depends | $20–$150+ |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Family doctor / walk-in | Walk-in OK | CAD 0 (provincial) |
Germany: Finding Your Hausarzt
Germany’s healthcare system runs on a gatekeeping model. Your first point of contact for non-emergency care is a Hausarzt (general practitioner). They treat you, write referrals to specialists (Fachärzte), and manage your ongoing health.
How the Insurance Card Works
If you have GKV (public health insurance — TK, DAK, AOK, Barmer etc.), you receive a Versichertenkarte (insurance chip card). Hand this to the receptionist at every visit — the doctor bills your insurer directly. You pay nothing, or just a small co-payment for prescription medicine (usually €5–€10 per item).
If you have PKV (private insurance), you pay the invoice upfront and claim reimbursement from your insurer. Keep every receipt.
How to Find a Hausarzt
- Go to Doctolib.de — Germany’s largest appointment platform. It’s available in English.
- Search for “Hausarzt” and enter your city or postcode.
- Click Filters → Spoken Languages → English to filter for English-speaking doctors.
- Book online — most slots are available within 1–3 days.
- Bring your Versichertenkarte and passport to the first appointment.
You do not need to register permanently with a single Hausarzt in Germany. You can change doctors at any time. However, building a relationship with one practice gives you faster appointments and continuity of care.
Other Ways to Find a Doctor
- Jameda.de — German doctor review platform with English filter
- Your university’s health service (Studentenwerk) — often has on-campus medical services
- Your health insurer’s app — TK, DAK, and Barmer all have apps with doctor finders
- 116 117 — Germany’s non-emergency medical line (evenings, weekends, holidays)
What Happens at the Appointment
Most Hausärzte speak basic English, especially in university cities. Say “Ich spreche kein Deutsch” (I don’t speak German) and most doctors will switch to English or bring a colleague. You can also use Google Translate’s live camera function on written documents.
A standard Hausarzt appointment takes 10–20 minutes. The doctor can:
- Write prescriptions (Rezept) for pharmacies (Apotheke)
- Issue a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung / AU) for your university
- Refer you to a specialist
Emergency? Call 112 (ambulance) or 110 (police). For urgent but non-life-threatening situations, call 116 117 — the national medical helpline, available 24/7.
United Kingdom: Register with a GP First
The UK’s NHS is free for students who paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — £776/year, which you pay when applying for your visa. If you are an EU citizen studying in the UK, you can use your EHIC/GHIC card.
Registering with an NHS GP
You must register before you get sick. Registering takes 1–5 days; some practices process it same-day online.
Step by step:
- Find a local GP on NHS.uk — enter your postcode and search for accepting practices.
- Most universities have an on-campus or nearby student health centre — register there first.
- Fill in a GMS1 registration form (paper or online depending on practice).
- Bring your passport, student ID, proof of address, and visa/BRP card.
- You’ll receive an NHS number by post — keep it safe.
Once registered, book appointments via phone, online, or the NHS App. Same-day urgent appointments are available at most practices.
Walk-in Centres and Urgent Treatment Centres
If you haven’t registered yet or need care urgently:
- NHS Walk-in Centres / Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) — no appointment, free with IHS
- 111 (NHS Helpline) — call or visit 111.nhs.uk for advice and same-day GP referrals
- A&E — for genuine emergencies only (999 for ambulance)
Prescriptions
Prescriptions cost a flat fee of £9.90 per item (2026) in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are free. Students on low income may be exempt — ask your GP about a HC1 form.
France: Declare a Médecin Traitant
France has one of the world’s best healthcare systems, and international students are covered by Sécurité Sociale for free. But the system has rules — skip them and you lose up to 40% of your reimbursement.
The Médecin Traitant System
A médecin traitant is your declared GP. Once you declare one:
- The state covers 70% of the €26.50 standard consultation fee (you pay €7.95)
- Your mutuelle (complementary insurance) usually covers the remaining €7.95
- You pay effectively €0–€5.50 per visit
If you see a specialist without a GP referral, reimbursement drops to 30%. Always start with your médecin traitant.
How to declare your médecin traitant:
- Find a doctor on Doctolib.fr or Ameli.fr
- At your first appointment, ask the doctor to be your médecin traitant
- Sign the declaration form — the doctor sends it to CPAM electronically
- Done. Future visits are automatically reimbursed at 70%+
Getting Your Carte Vitale
Your Carte Vitale is the green chip card that enables automatic reimbursement. Register at etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr with:
- Passport or national ID
- Student enrollment certificate
- Birth certificate
- French address proof
Processing takes 2–8 weeks. Until it arrives, keep paper receipts and claim manually via Ameli.
SOS Médecins
For urgent home visits (weekends, evenings), call SOS Médecins — a private doctor-on-demand service. Consultation typically costs €60–€80, partially reimbursed by CPAM. Available in 60+ French cities.
Emergency numbers: 15 (SAMU — medical emergency), 18 (fire/rescue), 112 (EU-wide).
Netherlands: Register with a Huisarts
In the Netherlands, the huisarts (GP) is the gatekeeper to the entire healthcare system. You cannot see a specialist without a huisarts referral — and clinics are strict about this.
How to Register
- Find a practice on Huisartsenzoeker.nl (Dutch) or ask your university’s international office for a student-friendly practice.
- Many university cities have practices specifically for international students — look for listings at your university.
- Call or email to request registration. You’ll need: passport, BSN (citizen service number), health insurance details.
- Get your BSN first from the municipality (gemeente) — without it, you cannot register for Dutch insurance (basisverzekering) or a huisarts.
Costs
If you are enrolled in the Dutch basisverzekering (basic insurance), GP visits are free (no deductible applies). The annual deductible (€385 in 2026) only kicks in for hospital care, physiotherapy, and specialist treatment.
Non-EU students not enrolled in Dutch insurance should check if their international student insurance covers Dutch GP visits directly.
After Hours
For urgent but non-emergency care outside office hours, contact your huisartsenpost — a regional after-hours GP service. Find yours via Doktersdienst.nl or ask your university.
Australia: Using OSHC and Finding a GP
International students in Australia must have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover). Your OSHC covers 100% of the MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule) fee for GP visits — meaning you can see a doctor for free at practices that bulk-bill OSHC.
Finding a GP
Australia operates on a GP referral model similar to Europe. For non-emergencies:
- Search HotDoc.com.au or HealthEngine.com.au to find nearby practices.
- Filter for “OSHC accepted” or call ahead to confirm.
- Bulk-billing clinics bill OSHC directly — you pay nothing. Gap-billing clinics charge above the MBS rate and you pay the difference (typically AUD 20–50).
- University campuses typically have student health centres with OSHC direct-billing.
International Students and Medicare
Most international students cannot access Medicare unless they come from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) — including the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, and Slovenia. If your country is on the list, register for Medicare at a Service Australia centre with your passport and visa.
What Your OSHC Covers
| Service | OSHC Coverage |
|---|---|
| GP visits | 100% MBS fee |
| Specialist visits | 85% MBS fee |
| Hospital (public) | Shared room |
| Emergency | Covered |
| Prescriptions (PBS) | Partial — check your policy |
Emergency: Call 000 for ambulance, police, or fire.
Japan: Walk-In Clinics and the Insurance Card
Japan’s healthcare system may look intimidating, but it is practical once you know how it works. International students are enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHI / kokumin kenko hoken) through their local city/ward office — premiums vary but are typically ¥1,000–¥3,000/month for students.
How to Use Your NHI Card
Bring your NHI card to any clinic (クリニック) or hospital (病院) and present it at reception. The system covers 70% of treatment costs — you pay the remaining 30%.
A typical GP visit costs ¥1,500–¥3,000 after your 30% co-payment. Hospital emergency departments charge more.
Finding English-Speaking Care
Japan has relatively few fully English-speaking clinics, but they exist in major cities:
- JMIP-certified hospitals — officially certified for international patient support with English staff. Search Jmip.jp for a list.
- Tokyo: St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo Midtown Medical Center, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital
- Osaka: Osaka City General Medical Center, Kansai International Airport Hospital
- AMDA International Medical Information Center: 03-6233-9266 (Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00, multilingual helpline)
- HIMAWARI Hotline (Tokyo): 03-5285-8181 (daily, in English)
Walk-In System
Unlike Germany or the UK, Japan does not require GP registration. You can walk into most clinics and be seen, usually within an hour. University health centres (保健センター) are free for enrolled students.
Emergency: Call 119 for ambulance or fire, 110 for police.
Finding English-Speaking Doctors Anywhere
No matter which country you are in, these resources help you find English-speaking healthcare:
Apps and Platforms
| Platform | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Doctolib | France, Germany, Italy, Belgium | Language filter in app |
| Zocdoc | USA, Canada | Filter by language |
| HotDoc / HealthEngine | Australia | OSHC filter |
| Doctoralia / Top Doctors | Spain, Latin America, EU | English-language filter |
| Practo | India, Southeast Asia | Free to use |
Other Resources
- Your university’s International Student Office — almost always has a doctor list for your city
- Your home country’s embassy or consulate — websites list English-speaking doctors in the host country
- Your insurer’s app or 24/7 hotline — most international student insurance policies include a helpline that can recommend local doctors
- Google Maps — search “English-speaking doctor [city]” and check reviews
Online Doctor Consultations
Can’t get an appointment fast enough? Online consultations are available in almost every country and many are covered by international student insurance.
When Online Consultations Make Sense
- Minor illnesses (cold, UTI, rash, mild fever)
- Prescription renewals
- Mental health consultations
- Second opinions
Platforms by Country
| Country | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | TeleClinic, Kry/Livi | GKV-covered in some cases |
| UK | Push Doctor, Livi, NHS App | £25–£50 or NHS-funded |
| France | Doctolib (téléconsultation) | Reimbursed by CPAM with médecin traitant |
| Netherlands | Thuisarts.nl + huisarts online | Via your registered huisarts |
| Australia | Telehealth via Medicare/OSHC | Bulk-billed at many GP clinics |
| Worldwide | Teladoc, AXA Global Health | Check your insurer’s policy |
Important: Online prescriptions are subject to local pharmacy laws. Some countries do not accept e-prescriptions from foreign doctors.
What to Bring to Every Medical Appointment
Regardless of country, bring these items to every visit:
- Health insurance card (Versichertenkarte, Carte Vitale, OSHC card, NHS number, NHI card)
- Passport or government ID
- A list of current medications with generic names (brand names differ by country)
- Your blood type (if you know it)
- Allergy information in writing
- Translation of any chronic condition diagnoses — use a medical translation app or ask your home doctor for a short summary in English
If you cannot communicate well enough, ask your university’s international office to provide a translation support contact, or use Google Translate’s live camera function for written documents.
Understanding Costs: Who Pays What
Most international students underestimate medical costs abroad. Here’s a realistic breakdown:
GP Visit Costs (2026)
| Country | With Insurance | Without Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (GKV) | €0 | €80–€150 |
| UK (IHS paid) | £0 | £100–£200 |
| France (CPAM+mutuelle) | €0–€5.50 | €26.50–€80+ |
| Netherlands (basisverzekering) | €0 | €80–€130 |
| Australia (OSHC) | AUD 0 (bulk-bill) | AUD 80–150 |
| Japan (NHI) | ¥1,500–¥3,000 | ¥5,000–¥15,000+ |
| USA (insured in-network) | $0–$40 co-pay | $150–$400+ |
Always check whether your insurer offers direct billing (they pay the doctor) or reimbursement (you pay and claim back). Read more in our guide: How to File a Health Insurance Claim as an International Student.
Emergency Procedures: What to Do First
If you face a medical emergency abroad:
- Call the local emergency number (see table below)
- Stay calm and give your exact location
- Do not drive yourself to hospital if the condition is serious
- Notify your insurer’s emergency line as soon as you are stable — many policies require notification within 24 hours for emergency admissions
Emergency Numbers
| Country | Ambulance | Police | Non-Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 112 | 110 | 116 117 |
| 🇬🇧 UK | 999 | 999 | 111 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 15 (SAMU) | 17 | 3114 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 112 | 112 | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 000 | 000 | 1800 022 222 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 119 | 110 | — |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 911 | 911 | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 911 | 911 | 811 (health) |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 112 | 091 | — |
| EU-wide | 112 | 112 | — |
Before You Go: The Checklist
Do these before you travel or at the latest in your first week abroad:
- Pack your insurance card and write down your policy number
- Save your insurer’s 24/7 emergency hotline in your phone
- Register with a GP/Hausarzt/huisarts/médecin traitant (where required)
- Get your Carte Vitale (France), NHI card (Japan), or NHS number (UK)
- Locate your nearest walk-in clinic, urgent care centre, and emergency department
- Download your insurer’s app — most let you book doctors and file claims
- Bring a 30-day supply of any prescription medication plus the prescription itself
- Have a written summary of your medical history and allergies in English
If your insurance does not cover all of these scenarios, now is the right time to switch. Compare international student health insurance plans and find one that includes direct billing, 24/7 support, and coverage in your destination country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor referral to see a specialist abroad? In Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands, yes — your GP issues a referral. In Australia, a referral is recommended but walk-in specialist clinics exist. In Japan and the USA, you can often see specialists directly, though costs are higher without a referral.
Can I use my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) abroad? The EHIC covers necessary medical treatment in EU/EEA countries at the same rate as local citizens — but it is not a replacement for full insurance. It covers emergencies and necessary care, not elective or preventive treatment, and does not cover repatriation. Always carry both your EHIC and your student insurance card.
What if I need care and don’t speak the local language? Most university cities have English-speaking doctors. Use Doctolib, Zocdoc, or Doctoralia with a language filter. Your insurer’s helpline can also assist with finding an English-speaking provider or providing phone interpretation.
What if my insurance does not cover the country I am in? International student insurance policies vary widely. Some cover you in your study destination only; others include worldwide coverage. Check your policy terms carefully. If you are travelling within Europe, your EHIC (EU students) provides a safety net. Always read the fine print before you travel. Learn more in our guide: What to Do When You Get Sick Abroad.
How fast can I get a GP appointment? Germany: same-day or next-day via Doctolib. UK: same-day urgent appointments at your registered GP, or walk-in centres. France: 1–5 days via Doctolib. Netherlands: 1–3 days via your huisarts. Australia: same-day at most bulk-billing clinics. Japan: walk-in, usually under 1 hour.
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