Whether you are looking for an over the counter medication or in need of a prescription, you’ll find yourself at the local Apotheke, or a German pharmacy. The experience of using a German Apotheke to fill a prescription can be quite the foreign task for expats and visitors, but you’ll find a friendly and knowledgeable staff nonetheless. Read our guide below to understand pharmacies and prescriptions in Germany. 

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Apotheke vs. Drugstores in Germany 

One of the first differences many expats and international visitors may notice is that pharmacies in Germany and drug stores are not located in the same building. A pharmacy in Germany is called an Apotheke, while a drug store is called a Drogerie. 

Generally, Apotheke's are smaller establishments where the main “feature” is a service counter where you consult with a pharmacist regarding which products you need. If you have a prescription note from your doctor you hand it to them for processing. They are also there to answer any questions you have about dosage. 

At an Apotheke in Germany, you will typically find a few luxury skin care products, serums and vitamins along the walls. However, for a larger selection of every-day items, from shampoo to toilet paper, toothpaste to vitamins, and makeup to diapers you are better suited to head to a drug store. 

Unlike the United States, allergy medication, cough syrups and other over the counter medications cannot be purchased from a drug store, such as DM. In Germany, these items much be purchased from an Apotheke.

“Over the Counter” Medications in Germany are Behind the Counter

As mentioned above, if you are in need of medicine in Germany to help you cope with minor or acute illnesses such as a cold or allergies, you should head to your local German pharmacy. However, even though these items are available without a prescription or doctors note, they will still be located behind the counter. 

Simply ask the pharmacist for a recommendation or the brand of medicine you require and they will let you know the amounts it is available in for purchase. 

Generally speaking, you won’t be able to find the exact same medicines in Germany as back in the United States, but you can get close. Here are a few recommended German equivalent medications to some American standard over the counter medications: 

**Please consult with a physician before taking any medication or administering it to your friends or loved ones.

Refilling Prescriptions in Germany 

Refilling prescriptions in Germany is quite different than in the United States. For starters, you will always need to get a physical prescription request form (called a Rezept) from your doctor for any prescription medication, regardless of if this is a new medicine or a refill. The doctor will not forward a prescription approval to a pharmacy on your behalf like in the United States. 

For refills of “maintenance medicines” (i.e. medicines that you take every day for chronic issues or preventative measures) you can usually just call or email the doctor’s office and ask for a prescription refill. You will need to physically go in and pick this up each time unless there are extenuating circumstances where they would be kind enough to mail the Rezept to you. 

For new medicines or medicines to treat acute illness (i.e. antibiotic), your doctor will provide you with a signed Rezept at the end of your appointment.

Once you obtain the Rezept, you can take it to any German pharmacy of your choice (called an Apotheke). With public health insurance in Germany (gesetzliche Krankenkasse or GKV) you can expect to pay a copay on most medications between 5-10 euros, although some are free. 

Types of Prescription Forms in Germany

Pink:  If you are covered by a public health insurance, your doctor will use the pink prescription slip to prescribe medicines which are allowed and covered by the insurance company. 

Blue (typically): if your doctor is treating you privately, either because you have a private health insurance or because the drug is not covered by the public insurance company, you will get a different prescription slip, which is usually blue. In this case, you will have to pay for the drugs yourself. If you are privately insured you will be reimbursed.  

Green:  These are used for medicines in Germany which are not covered by any insurance but are recommended by your doctor. 

Yellow:  These are for narcotic agents and are only valid for 7 days. They are also issued with two copies and numbered.

Prescription Drug Costs in Germany

Because the costs of medicines in Germany are regulated, most prescription drugs purchased in pharmacies in Germany are a fraction of what you would be asked to pay in the United States - even when paying 100% out of pocket. 

If you have a prescription from a doctor and are covered by public health insurance, copays are 5-10 euros per refill. However, you will find that many, including both name brand and generic versions, are available without any copay at all. 

The exception to this is regarding birth control. By law women must pay for the costs out of pocket. To learn more, check out Women's Healthcare in Germany.

Prescriptions from a doctor are typically covered by private health insurance, but you will most likely have to pay full price up front and then submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement. Make sure to ask the pharmacist for your receipt and a copy of the doctor’s prescription. We also highly recommend taking a photograph of both for your own records.