In Germany, even a packet of ibuprofen or paracetamol comes from the Apotheke, the pharmacy with the big red Gothic A over the door. Drugstores and supermarkets sell vitamins, plasters and teas, but most medicines are sold only in pharmacies, across the counter or by licensed online pharmacies.
That means a short conversation every time. The pharmacist will ask what it's for and may recommend something, so it helps to know the phrases on both sides of the counter.
Asking for Medicine
I need something for a headache.
Ich brauche etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen.
Do you have something for a cold?
Haben Sie etwas gegen eine Erkältung?
I have a prescription.
Ich habe ein Rezept.
My prescription is on my health card.
Mein Rezept ist auf meiner Gesundheitskarte.
Do I need a prescription for this?
Brauche ich dafür ein Rezept?
How often do I take it?
Wie oft muss ich das nehmen?
Before or after meals?
Vor oder nach dem Essen?
Is it suitable for children?
Ist das für Kinder geeignet?
Do you have it in stock?
Haben Sie das vorrätig?
Practice these words
Ich brauche etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen.
Gegen: in German you ask for something "against" the problem, not "for" it: etwas gegen Husten, gegen Fieber, gegen Sonnenbrand.
E-Rezept: with statutory health insurance, the doctor's prescription is stored electronically. You hand over your health card, the pharmacy reads it, and you get the medicine. No paper needed, though you can also ask for a printed code.
What the Pharmacist May Ask
Do you have a prescription?
Haben Sie ein Rezept?
Is it for you?
Ist das für Sie?
Are you taking any other medicines?
Nehmen Sie noch andere Medikamente?
Do you have any allergies?
Haben Sie Allergien?
How long have you had it?
Wie lange haben Sie das schon?
We'll have to order it.
Das müssen wir bestellen.
You can pick it up this afternoon.
Sie können es heute Nachmittag abholen.
Two tablets three times a day.
Zwei Tabletten dreimal täglich.
Practice these words
Haben Sie ein Rezept?
Good to know: if a medicine isn't in stock, don't worry. Pharmacies get deliveries several times a day, and Das müssen wir bestellen usually means you can collect it the same afternoon or the next morning.
Medicine Words
medicine
das Medikament
tablet
die Tablette
capsule
die Kapsel
drops
die Tropfen
cough syrup
der Hustensaft
ointment
die Salbe
plaster
das Pflaster
nasal spray
das Nasenspray
painkiller
das Schmerzmittel
thermometer
das Fieberthermometer
side effects
die Nebenwirkungen
package leaflet
der Beipackzettel
dosage
die Dosierung
Practice these words
das Medikament
Beipackzettel: every German medicine advert ends with a fast line telling you to read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacy about risks and side effects: Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen lesen Sie die Packungsbeilage… Almost every German can recite the older version, and the Beipackzettel itself is famous for being long.
Prescriptions and What You Pay
| Type | What it means | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
E-Rezept (statutory insurance) | medicine your Krankenkasse pays for | a Zuzahlung of 10%, at least 5 and at most 10 euros, set to rise to 7.50 and 15 euros from 2027; never more than the medicine costs; children under 18 pay nothing |
Privatrezept | for private patients, or medicine the Kasse doesn't cover | the full price; private insurers refund later |
grünes Rezept | the doctor's recommendation, no prescription needed | the full price; some Kassen refund part of it |
Watch out: the Zuzahlung applies only to medicines on prescription. Painkillers and cold remedies you buy without a prescription are paid in full, and prices can vary between pharmacies.
Prescription Only or Pharmacy Only?
| On the box | Meaning |
|---|---|
verschreibungspflichtig | prescription only |
apothekenpflichtig | pharmacy only, no prescription needed |
freiverkäuflich | also sold in drugstores and supermarkets |
At Night and on Sunday
Pharmacies close in the evening and on Sundays, but one in every area is always open: the Notdienstapotheke. Every pharmacy has a notice in the window saying which one is on duty, and you can also look it up online.
At night you often ring a bell and are served through a small hatch. At night, on Sundays and on public holidays there's a Notdienstgebühr of 2.50 euros on top. Your Kasse pays it if the doctor has marked the prescription as urgent (noctu).
If you need a doctor rather than a medicine at night or at the weekend, call 116 117, the medical on-call service. In an emergency, call 112.