Holiday service · 24/25/26 December
Sick at Christmas Berlin
Sick at Christmas Berlin is a seasonal health occasion for which RAB Arztbesuche provides a licensed physician on a home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
Anyone falling ill in Berlin on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day faces closed practices, an overcrowded Charité emergency department, and an out-of-hours service with hours of wait. We work in Berlin on all Christmas holidays daily from 6 am to midnight — including 24, 25 and 26 December.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Christmas in Berlin — when care provision thins out
On Christmas holidays Berlin family practices are closed, the statutory out-of-hours service (116117) is usually overloaded, and the emergency departments of major hospitals (Charité, Vivantes, DRK) fill with non-acute cases. Families hosting visitors from abroad, elderly relatives, children with febrile infections — they all arrive precisely when routine outpatient care pauses.
We work in exactly that gap. From Christmas Eve morning to late Boxing Day night we are out in Berlin, arriving with rapid tests, medication and IV supplies at homes or hotels, writing prescriptions, organising follow-up and issuing a GOÄ invoice via the Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle — at the normal rate over the holidays.
Typical Christmas presentations
Febrile infections, GI symptoms (often after rich holiday meals or family norovirus), migraine attacks under stress, back pain after long travel, urinary tract infections in older women, blood-pressure deteriorations, circulatory issues. In children: fever, otitis media, GI illness and croup dominate.
Emergencies are not our remit
For chest pain, acute shortness of breath, altered consciousness, stroke signs, severe bleeding or anaphylactic shock, call 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency service — it cannot replace it. For acute but non-life-threatening illness we are the right contact.
How the Christmas house call works
You call — even on 24 December afternoon, Christmas Eve night, Christmas Day or Boxing Day. We discuss symptoms, clarify urgency and realistic arrival time. On high-demand days arrival may take longer than weekdays — we say so honestly.
On site: focused history, exam, rapid tests if needed (influenza, COVID, strep), therapy, prescription, sick leave, GOÄ invoice. We hand over a pharmacy on-call address if a prescription must be filled urgently.
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.
Case profiles
Typical scenarios
Family with a feverish child
Gift-giving had to wait, the child cries and runs a fever. We come, examine, reassure — and say honestly whether this belongs in hospital or can be treated at home.
Visitors from abroad
Grandparents travel to Berlin for Christmas and fall ill. We come to the apartment or hotel, explain the German system, document for foreign insurance.
Senior at home alone
Older patient with fever, cannot travel to a practice. We treat on site, coordinate with relatives, arrange admission if needed.
Family GI cluster
Norovirus or just too much holiday food — we differentiate, treat vomiting and dehydration, advise on hygiene.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Christmas house call more expensive?
No. We bill the same GOÄ rate over the holidays as on weekdays — no holiday surcharge from us.
How quickly does the doctor arrive on Christmas Eve?
Typically 60 to 120 minutes, longer during peak demand. We tell you honestly on the phone when we will realistically arrive.
Will I get prescriptions and sick leave over Christmas?
Yes, both are issued on site. Sick leave is backdated to the start of illness, prescriptions can be filled at on-call pharmacies.
What about pharmacies over Christmas?
The pharmacy on-call service runs daily. We give you the nearest open pharmacy's address or you can find it via the Berlin Chamber of Pharmacists.