What is the difference between a repeat prescription and a first prescription?

When your doctor starts a treatment and issues a new prescription, this is known as a first prescription (Erstverordnung). This requires an in-person visit to the practice.(1)

If you need long-term treatment, your doctor may provide repeat prescriptions (follow-up prescriptions; Folgerezepte).

Good to know:

To receive a repeat prescription, your doctor must have already treated you and be familiar with your health status.(2) If your doctor has no objections, you do not necessarily need to book an in-person appointment to receive a repeat prescription.(1)

Can I get a repeat prescription without seeing a doctor?

You can usually get a repeat prescription without an in-person appointment, as long as your doctor has no concerns about prescribing the medicine again.(3)

In these cases, you can contact the practice by phone or email. Sometimes you can also request the prescription online.(3)

Keep in mind: For a repeat prescription to be issued, your health insurance card must be scanned at least once per quarter.(4)

The “Video consultation” and “Patient request” features in the Doctolib app allow you to request repeat prescriptions from your practice with just a few clicks.

Requesting a repeat prescription online – how it works

Many practices now allow patients to request repeat prescriptions through digital platforms.

The process involves several steps:

Register with the patient portal or practice app: In most cases, you can register with your email address.
Request a repeat prescription: Once logged in, you’ll need to enter your patient details and information about the medicine you need (name, dose, quantity).
Your request is sent to your doctor: Your doctor receives a digital request to issue a prescription. All data is transmitted securely.
The prescription is issued: After your doctor has reviewed the request, the prescription is issued as an electronic prescription. You can collect the prescribed medication from a pharmacy using the app or your health insurance card (eGK).(5)

How to get repeat prescriptions for physiotherapy and occupational therapy

Many patients also need additional therapy to support their recovery. This includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.

Good to know:

If you need a repeat prescription for physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy, you must always see a doctor in person for an examination.

Your doctor needs to check whether further treatment is necessary. Therapists can make recommendations in a therapy report, but they are not authorised to issue a repeat prescription.(6) If a certain therapy is likely to be required long term, patients with certain diagnoses may receive a prescription termed “long‑term requirement for therapy”(langfristiger Heilmittelbedarf).(6)

Diagnoses that justify “long-term therapeutic remedy needs” are listed by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G-BA). Examples include early childhood autism, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.(6)

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.