Question · Weekend doctor Berlin
Where do I find a doctor on the weekend in Berlin?
Short answer: for "Where do I find a doctor on the weekend in Berlin?", RAB Arztbesuche sends a licensed physician on a private home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
On weekends in Berlin you reach medical help via the 116117 on-call service (free, often long waits), the A&E departments of Berlin hospitals, or a private house call (60 to 90 minutes, GOÄ bill). For life-threatening symptoms always 112.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Short answer
On weekends in Berlin you reach medical help via the 116117 on-call service (free, often long waits), the A&E departments of Berlin hospitals, or a private house call (60 to 90 minutes, GOÄ bill). For life-threatening symptoms always 112.
Weekend, closed practices — the three real options
Practically all Berlin GP and specialist practices close from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. Anyone who falls ill at the weekend — statistically more common because colds, gastro infections and migraines do not respect office hours — faces three real options. First: 112 for life-threatening cases. Second: the on-call service of Berlin's statutory health insurance physicians' association at 116117, with out-of-hours practices at major hospitals (Charité Mitte, Vivantes Friedrichshain, DRK Westend, Vivantes Wenckebach Tempelhof). Most statutorily insured patients use this — it is free. Waiting times in the out-of-hours practices range from one hour on quiet Sunday mornings to four to six hours during flu season.
Third: the private house call. It complements the system when the trip to an out-of-hours practice is not reasonable — very elderly patients, children with high fever, mobility-impaired patients, tourists without local knowledge, or those who simply do not want to spend hours in a waiting room with other infection patients. We come Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays — 6 am to midnight without exception. The GOÄ bill includes the statutory weekend and holiday surcharge and typically lands at 280 to 420 euros. Private insurance generally reimburses in full; statutorily insured patients carry it themselves.
Berlin hospital A&E departments — Charité, Vivantes, Helios, DRK, Sankt Joseph, Martin-Luther — are the last escalation before 112. Open 24/7, but treated strictly by Manchester triage: a patient with high fever but stable circulation waits behind suspected chest pain. Four to eight hour waits are realistic; longer during peak winter months. A&E is the right address for suspected inpatient indications — appendicitis, kidney stone, suspected fracture, severe migraine with visual symptoms, acute asthma. For standard ambulatory acute pictures (fever, common cold, bronchitis, mild gastroenteritis) the on-call practice or house call is more efficient and frees A&E for true emergencies.
Example: Sunday, fever in a business traveller
A business traveller from Munich, staying at a hotel in Berlin-Mitte, wakes on Sunday at 9 am with fever 39.5 °C, sore throat and aching limbs. Her flight is early Monday, a presentation in Frankfurt on Monday midday. She calls us — the doctor arrives at 10:25 am, runs strep and influenza rapid tests. Strep positive. Antibiotic prescription, certificate for the airline (fever-related flight ban possible, but after a treated streptococcal tonsillitis fitness to fly is medically defensible 24 hours after antibiotic start), travel insurance certificate. She takes her first dose at 11 am, sleeps through Sunday, flies Monday — presentation delivered, fee saved. Bill 340 euros including Sunday surcharge, reimbursed by travel insurance.
Weekend options compared
- 112 (ambulance): only for life-threatening — chest pain, breathing failure, paralysis, unconsciousness, severe bleeding.
- 116117 (KV on-call): free for GKV patients. House call or out-of-hours practice. Berlin wait often 2 – 6 hours.
- Out-of-hours practices: Charité Mitte, Vivantes Friedrichshain, DRK Westend, Wenckebach Tempelhof — see 116117.de.
- Private house call RAB: 60 – 90 minutes arrival, GOÄ bill, no waiting room, treatment at home or hotel.
- Hospital A&E: open 24/7, triage system, waits 4 – 8 hours, sensible when admission likely.
- Paediatric weekend services: Charité Virchow, Helios Buch, Vivantes Friedrichshain, Sankt Joseph Tempelhof.
- Night-duty pharmacy: aponet.de or 0800 / 0022 833.
- Dental weekend service Berlin: 030 / 89 00 43 33.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Frequently asked questions
Are the on-call practices open on Sundays?
Yes — Berlin's central out-of-hours practices run continuous hours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Current hours and locations at 116117.de or via 116117 by phone.
Can I also get a sick-note on a Sunday?
Yes — both at the out-of-hours practice and via the private house call. On request the certificate is transmitted directly to your insurer or handed over on paper.
Can I get a prescription on the weekend?
Yes — both the on-call practice and a house-call doctor may prescribe. Note that not every pharmacy is open 24/7 — find the night-duty pharmacy at aponet.de.