It's Saturday morning, you wake up with fever and a sore throat – and your general practitioner is closed. In many cases, this is no reason to go to the emergency room, but you still need medical care or a medical certificate. This is exactly where RAB Berlin comes in, the private medical on-call service of the capital. Experienced doctors come directly to your home, examine you thoroughly, and issue a certificate of incapacity for work if needed – without stress or long waiting times.
Why Weekends Are Medically Challenging
Most medical practices close on Friday afternoon. If you become ill after that, you often face a problem:
- No available appointments: The next consultation is at the earliest on Monday.
- Overcrowded emergency rooms: Many patients seek help there even though there is no emergency.
- Missing medical certificate: Without medical confirmation, your employer can raise doubts.
RAB Berlin closes this gap in care. The private medical on-call service provides reliable medical care outside regular practice hours – with specialist doctors who make house calls throughout Berlin.
When a Doctor's Visit on the Weekend Makes Sense
You should request medical help if:
- Fever, cough, or chills do not subside.
- Pain increases significantly or new symptoms appear.
- Gastrointestinal problems are accompanied by vomiting or circulatory problems.
- A medical certificate is needed for your employer or health insurance.
- A chronic illness suddenly worsens.
RAB Berlin gives you the security of receiving a specialist medical assessment quickly – without having to leave your home.
Treatment Process at RAB Berlin
- Phone call or online booking: You can reach RAB Berlin by phone or via online appointment scheduling.
- Initial medical assessment: A doctor will call you back promptly to assess your symptoms.
- House visit: Within 60 to 90 minutes, the doctor arrives at your home.
- Diagnosis: Examination, consultation, and – if necessary – issuance of a medical certificate.
- Treatment: Medications, infusions, or further treatment recommendations are provided on site.
This way, you receive the same medical quality on weekends as in a practice, just more conveniently and personally.
Medical Certificate on the Weekend – What You Need to Know
RAB Berlin is authorized to issue official certificates of incapacity for work (AU). These are fully valid for employers and health insurance companies.
Benefits for you:
- Immediate issuance for existing illness.
- Valid from the examination date, even on weekends.
- No need to wait until Monday for your regular practice.
- Discreet treatment in your home.
Particularly with fever, infections, or stomach problems, this saves you the arduous trip to the emergency room.
Services Offered by RAB Berlin on Weekends
- Specialist house calls in all Berlin districts
- Examination and diagnosis for acute illnesses
- Prescription and medication issuance
- Official medical certificate (AU)
- Pain and infusion therapy
- Follow-up care after hospital stays
- Care for private patients, self-payers, and expats
All services are billed according to the German Fee Schedule for Physicians (GOÄ). Privately insured patients receive reimbursement; self-payers benefit from transparent pricing.
What Makes RAB Berlin Special
- Specialist expertise: Treatment only by experienced doctors.
- Quick availability: Usually on site within 90 minutes.
- Personal care: No call center, but direct communication with medical professionals.
- Flexibility: Available daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, also on Sundays and public holidays.
- Bilingual service: Care in German and English – ideal for expats and tourists.
RAB Berlin stands for humanity, reliability, and the highest professional quality – even when other practices are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long is a medical certificate valid?
The duration of a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, AU) is always set individually based on the clinical picture and the expected recovery time — there is no flat duration. For simple infections, the first AU often covers three to five days; for stronger flu-like courses, gastrointestinal complaints or confirmed viral infections it may be seven to fourteen days. A first AU issued without a physical examination — for instance by telephone — is legally limited to a maximum of seven calendar days in Germany; after that, an in-person assessment is required. Follow-up certificates are possible if you are still unfit for work after the first AU expires. The RAB Berlin physician decides on site, based on examination findings, history and your occupation, how long to certify your incapacity. For longer-term illnesses we recommend involving your regular family doctor for continuous care.
Can I send the medical certificate to my employer digitally?
Yes. Since the introduction of the electronic sick note (elektronische Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, eAU) on 1 January 2023, the transmission of the certificate to the statutory health insurance company is handled fully digitally by the issuing medical practice. Your employer then retrieves the information electronically from the health insurance company directly — you no longer need to hand in a paper copy yourself. For privately insured patients the fully digital transmission to the health insurer is not yet generally available; here you continue to receive a printed certificate that you can submit by post or photo upload to your insurer and employer. RAB Berlin always provides a printed copy for your own records and transmits the eAU immediately after the consultation on request. Please still inform your employer briefly via the usual channel that you are unable to work.
What does a house visit cost on the weekend?
A weekend home visit typically costs between 190 and 250 euros, depending on the time of day, weekday and distance within Berlin. On Sundays, public holidays and late evenings the amount tends towards the upper end, as weekend, night and holiday surcharges are charged according to the German official scale of medical fees (GOÄ). The fee covers the journey, examination, consultation and the issuing of all necessary documents such as prescriptions or sick notes. Additional services such as infusions, rapid tests or smaller procedures are billed separately according to the GOÄ. Privately insured patients and civil servants entitled to subsidy (Beihilfe) usually receive full reimbursement from their insurer. Self-payers receive a transparent invoice and can pay in cash, by EC card or credit card directly after the consultation. On request the invoice is issued in English as well — helpful for travel or expat health insurers.
Can those with statutory health insurance use RAB Berlin?
Yes. Patients with German statutory health insurance can use RAB Berlin on weekends at any time as self-payers. This is particularly sensible when the statutory on-call service via 116 117 is heavily overloaded, the nearest emergency department is not a realistic option due to long waiting times, or you simply cannot leave the house for medical reasons — for example with high fever, acute bed rest or while looking after care-dependent relatives. As this is a private medical service, reimbursement by the statutory health insurance is unfortunately not provided. After the consultation you receive a transparent invoice according to the German official scale of medical fees (GOÄ) and can pay in cash, by EC card or credit card directly on site. Our team is happy to provide a non-binding indication of the expected total cost in advance, so that there are no surprises afterwards.
When should I call the emergency services instead?
You should call the emergency services on 112 whenever there is a risk to life or you cannot rule out such a risk — every minute can be decisive. Classic emergencies are: sudden severe breathing difficulties; persistent or radiating chest pain (suspected heart attack); suspected stroke with one-sided weakness, speech or visual disturbances; severe disturbance of consciousness or unconsciousness; heavy bleeding that does not stop; serious injuries after falls or accidents; seizures; severe allergic reactions with breathing or circulatory problems; suspected poisoning; and psychiatric emergencies with risk to oneself or others. Do not waste time with long phone calls to private services. Once the situation has been stabilised by the rescue service or in hospital, RAB Berlin is happy to take over follow-up care at home, so that you can continue your recovery in familiar surroundings without further trips to the emergency department.
When RAB Berlin Is the Right Choice
If you feel ill but there is no life-threatening emergency, RAB Berlin is your best contact. You receive a thorough medical examination, a medical certificate, and medications if needed – quickly, reliably, and in a familiar atmosphere.
So you don't have to fear the emergency room or practice stress, but can focus entirely on your recovery.
Conclusion
Sick on the weekend? No problem. With RAB Berlin, you get medical care and a medical certificate without leaving your home. Specialist doctors come directly to you, treat you competently, and ensure you feel better quickly.
If you need medical support in Berlin, you can reach RAB Berlin daily from 6 a.m. to midnight at
030 550 77 870
or book your appointment directly online at
https://rab-arztbesuche.berlin/online-buchen/.
The specialist doctors at RAB Berlin usually arrive at your home within 60 to 90 minutes.