EU citizens are entitled to free or subsidised primary care in the event of sudden illness or an accident in Germany. In many European countries the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has replaced the E111 form. Presentation of the European Card guarantees that the holder will not have to pay for, or will be reimbursed for, the costs of their medical treatment.

Citizens of other states are advised to take out travel insurance.

You will generally be required to pay in cash if you have to visit a doctor. Credit cards are not accepted.

No vaccinations are required for entry into Germany.

However, in spring there is a greater risk of contracting illnesses caused by ticks such as Lyme disease and viral early summer meningoencephalitis. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites which are found all over the world. They feed on the blood of their host and are usually found in ground-covering vegetation. If you find a tick on you, remove it very carefully with a fine pair of tweezers, taking care not to squeeze it. Or, even better, seek medical attention.

The areas at highest risk are Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, as well as certain regions within Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. Not every tick bite leads to infection in humans. The best protection against ticks is to wear clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible.

Every town has an emergency medical service which can provide treatment at night and at weekends. The telephone numbers are listed in the local telephone directory. If you need urgent medical treatment, call an emergency doctor on 112. The pharmacies also have a service that covers nights and Sundays. The address of the nearest out-of-hours branch is listed on the door of every pharmacy.