A specialist appointment can take weeks if you look for one yourself. The national number 116117 arranges appointments through the appointment service centres of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen, the regional associations of statutory health insurance doctors. This guide explains when the service applies, which conditions apply and how to use it properly. For the difference from an emergency, see When to dial 112 and when 116117 (in German).
Short answer: According to the Verbraucherzentrale (status: October 2024), the appointment service under 116117 arranges urgent specialist appointments within four weeks. In most specialties you need a referral with a twelve-digit urgency code. Appointments with a family doctor are arranged within five working days. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- The 116117 line is available around the clock by phone, through the online e-appointment service or via an app.
- The service is for people with statutory health insurance.
- For many specialist appointments you need a referral with an urgency code from your family doctor.
- Urgent specialist appointments should be arranged within four weeks, and appointments with a family doctor within five working days.
- The service cannot arrange a preferred doctor. The journey can take up to 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the specialty.
What does the appointment service do?
The service is for people with statutory health insurance. It looks for an appointment within the area set by the relevant Kassenärztliche Vereinigung. Rules differ between federal states, so it is worth checking the information of the competent association. If no appointment can be offered within the required period, the Verbraucherzentrale reports that you receive an outpatient appointment at a hospital instead.
It is important to distinguish the service from a booking you make directly with a practice. The appointment service does not replace this route. It applies when an appointment is urgent and you would otherwise not get one in time. For minor conditions or routine check-ups, the Verbraucherzentrale notes there is no entitlement to an arranged appointment.
Which deadlines apply in each specialty?
| Specialty | Deadline according to the Verbraucherzentrale | Referral needed |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist, urgent case | Within four weeks | Yes, with urgency code |
| Eye and gynaecology specialists | Within four weeks (according to the source) | No code needed |
| Family doctor, paediatrician | Within five working days | No |
| Psychotherapy consultation | At most four weeks waiting time from the call | No, form PTV-11 for timely treatment |
These figures come from the patient information of the Verbraucherzentrale with status 1 October 2024. Regional details, such as travel distances, may differ. Before you call, it is worth looking at the page of the competent Kassenärztliche Vereinigung.
Step by step: how to use the 116117
- Ask your family doctor for a referral with an urgency code if your specialty requires one.
- Call 116117, or use the e-appointment service or the app, and give the details the service asks for.
- Accept the appointment you are offered. If you have to cancel, do so through 116117 so that the slot is released.
- For acute symptoms, do not call 116117. In an emergency, dial 112.
When to use the service and when not
Use the service when a specialist appointment is medically urgent and you cannot get one in time through the practice itself. Do not use it for an appointment you simply want sooner, or for a check-up that can wait. The number is also not the right first step for a sudden emergency, where waiting for a slot would be the wrong decision. In that case, the emergency number applies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a referral?
For many specialist appointments, yes, in which case you need the urgency code. For eye and gynaecology specialists, according to the Verbraucherzentrale, no code is needed. For family doctors and paediatricians, the service arranges appointments without a referral or code.
Can I choose the doctor?
No. The service does not arrange preferred doctors. It looks for a free appointment in the set area and tells you the practice and time.
What happens if no appointment is found?
According to the Verbraucherzentrale, you then receive an outpatient appointment at a hospital. You can accept it, but you do not have to. It is important to make that choice deliberately.
Does the service apply to privately insured people?
The service is for people with statutory health insurance. Privately insured people follow different rules, which depend on their tariff and the terms of their policy.
Does the four-week limit apply to routine check-ups?
No. For minor conditions or routine check-ups, the Verbraucherzentrale notes that there is no entitlement to an arranged appointment. The deadline applies to urgent cases.
What the service means for students
Many students move during their studies and change their doctor along with their address. During that phase, finding an appointment is harder because nobody knows your medical history. The appointment service helps here, because it searches for a free slot nearby without depending on personal contacts. Keep referrals and urgency codes safe so that you have them to hand.
The distinction between arranging an appointment and receiving treatment remains important. The service puts you in touch with a practice, and the treatment follows the medical need. Only the treating doctor can give a reliable assessment of your condition.
Common mistakes when looking for an appointment
- Calling without the necessary referral and then waiting for an appointment that cannot be arranged in this way.
- Searching for a routine check-up through 116117, although there is no entitlement to arranged appointments for it.
- Not cancelling an arranged appointment, which takes it away from someone else.
- Calling 116117 for acute symptoms instead of dialling 112 straight away.
Avoiding these mistakes helps you use the service more effectively. Students who have not been with their family doctor for long should clarify in advance who issues the code and how the practice can be reached.
Next steps
- Before you call, check with your family doctor whether the specialist needs a referral with an urgency code.
- Call 116117 when your case is urgent, and have your details ready.
- Cancel through 116117 in good time if you cannot attend.
Related reading
- Health system reform: overview of emergency care, sick notes and the ePA (in German)
- When to dial 112 and when 116117: the right number in an emergency (in German)
- Do I have to see my family doctor first? The primary care system explained (in German)
- Referral to a specialist: do I need one? (in German)
- Telephone sick note: planned abolition and what applies until then (in German)
Sources: Verbraucherzentrale: Specialist appointment within four weeks (status 1 October 2024, in German), Section 75 SGB V, provision of outpatient care, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
