🩹 First points of contact and the role of the GP
In brief
There are several equally valid routes for first contact in Germany: the GP practice, a psychotherapy consultation hour (direct access, no referral needed) or the appointment service (Terminservicestelle) at number 116117. You can use all three in parallel to get an appointment as quickly as possible.
Step by step
- Contact a GP practiceYour GP can give a first assessment, rule out physical causes and, where appropriate, treat you or refer you.
- Arrange a psychotherapy consultation hourSince the reform of the Psychotherapy Guideline in 2017, a consultation hour with a psychotherapist is mandatory before any guideline-based therapy – no referral slip is needed for it (direct access).
- Call 116117 or use it onlineThe appointment service of the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen) arranges appointments for consultation hours, acute treatment and preliminary sessions if you cannot find an appointment yourself.
- State the urgencyIn urgent cases the practice issues a certificate (form PTV 11); with it, 116117 gives priority in arranging an acute appointment.
- Check alternative outpatient clinicsPsychiatric outpatient clinics (PIA) at hospitals and university outpatient clinics of training institutes also take patients, sometimes with shorter waiting times.
Deadlines
- You do not need a referral for the psychotherapy consultation hour – you can contact a practice directly (direct access).
- The consultation hour is not yet therapy but an initial assessment; acute treatment or preliminary sessions follow where appropriate.
- Bring your electronic health insurance card to the consultation hour; a referral slip does no harm but is not a requirement.
- Not every practice listed with 116117 actually has free capacity – also enquiring at practices yourself in parallel increases your chances.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Direct access since 2017
With the reform of the Psychotherapy Guideline in 2017, the psychotherapy consultation hour was introduced as a mandatory building block before the start of guideline-based therapy. Insured persons can use it without a prior referral (direct access to psychotherapy).
Role of the appointment services
The appointment services (116117) of the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians are legally obliged to arrange an appointment for insured persons within defined deadlines – for the consultation hour generally within four weeks, for certified acute treatment within two weeks. Appointments are also arranged outside the place-of-residence district if necessary.
Alternative routes of access
Psychiatric outpatient clinics (PIA, § 118 SGB V) care in particular for people with more severe or more complex courses who need outpatient specialist psychiatric treatment. University outpatient clinics at training institutes for psychotherapy can also be an alternative.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.