Changing your GP: is it possible at all?

For many people, having a GP they trust and feel comfortable with really matters. But sometimes that trust is lost. And after a move, a practice may simply be too far away or too difficult to get to. This often leads to one key question: How do I switch to a new GP?

If you have public health insurance (GKV), you need to see a doctor who is accredited to treat patients under the public system.(1)

In principle, it is better to change GP at the beginning of a new quarter rather than see two different GPs within the same quarter.(1) However, if there is a valid reason, you can also change GP during an ongoing quarter.(1)

One exception applies if you are enrolled in GP-centred care (Hausarztmodell). In that case, you cannot usually change your GP freely.(2)

Do I need a reason to change GP?

Because patients in Germany are generally free to choose their doctor, you do not have to give a reason if you want to change GP.(1)

Common reasons for changing GP include:

moving to another town or a different part of the city
no longer feeling comfortable with your current GP or losing trust
your current GP practice closing

How to change GP: step by step

Changing GP is usually quite straightforward, especially if you plan ahead. To make the switch as smooth as possible and avoid interruptions to your care, we recommend the following steps:

Find a new GP practice first: before leaving your current practice, make sure you have found a new one and checked that they are able to take you on as a patient. In some areas, GP practices are already full and cannot accept new patients.
Arrange access to your medical records: you can ask your current practice for a copy of your records.(3) Or, if you prefer, you can attend your first appointment at the new practice and ask your new GP to request them directly from your previous practice.(4)
Get to know your new practice: save the practice’s contact details, note the opening hours and check whether there is a dedicated number for urgent enquiries.
Book your first appointment: once you have chosen a new practice, arrange an initial appointment.

Good to know:

Remember to let any specialists treating you know that you have changed GP. With your consent, they can then send relevant reports and test results to your new practice.

What happens to my GP-centred care contract if I change GP?

If you are enrolled in GP-centred care (hausarztzentrierte Versorgung, “Hausarztmodell”) through your health insurer, you are usually required to stay with the same GP for one year and cannot normally change practice during that time.(2)

If you still want to change GP practice, you have the following options:

You can cancel your enrolment in the GP-centred care model: your enrolment in GP-centred care lasts for one year initially and is then automatically renewed for another year.(5) You must give your health insurer written notice at least eight weeks before the end of the term.(6) Once your enrolment has ended, you can change GP practice.
If there are “important reasons”, you may change GP practice before the 12-month period ends.(2) Examples include moving home, or the practice moving, so that travelling there is no longer reasonable for you. A lasting breakdown in trust between you and your GP, your practice ending its participation in the GP-centred care contract, or the practice closing may also count as valid reasons.(6) You must inform your health insurer of the change in writing.(5)

The information provided is for general information only and must not be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis or treatment by a doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment are strongly discouraged.