Finding a Doctor, Dentist or Specialist Abroad: The Really Useful 2025 Guide (Scripts, Tips & Checklists)

The Challenge:

• New healthcare system with unfamiliar terms
• Unknown booking portals and long waiting lists
• Language barriers when calling clinics
• Uncertainty about upfront costs

What You Need Ready:

• Valid EHIC/GHIC card
• Your health insurer's mobile app
• Copy-paste scripts in multiple languages
• Scanned prescriptions and allergy lists

The Four Keys to Success: 1. Search in the right places 2. Book fast using online platforms 3. Always ask for a detailed invoice 4. Save all receipts and proof of payment

Official Sources:

• Embassy or consulate doctor lists (often sorted by language)
• Public insurer directories (CPAM, Krankenkasse, LAMal)
• NHS/EHIC provider networks

Online Booking Platforms:

• Doctolib — France & Germany
• Jameda — Germany
• TopDoctors — Spain & UK
• Doctena — Belgium & Luxembourg
• MioDottore — Italy

Use filters: language spoken, next available appointment, teleconsultation option

Expat Communities:

• Facebook groups ("Expats in [City]")
• Meetup health forums
• Google Maps reviews (search "English-speaking doctor [neighborhood]")

Pro tip: Search "dentist near me English" rather than long phrases—you'll get faster, more relevant results.

Appointment message EN: "Hello, I'm new in town. Appointment for [reason]. Do you speak [language]? This week or teleconsultation?" FR: « Bonjour, nouveau/nouvelle dans la ville. RDV pour [motif]. Parlez-vous [langue] ? Cette semaine ou télé-consultation ? »

At reception EN: "Could I have a detailed invoice with procedure codes and date?" FR: « Une facture détaillée avec codes et date, s'il vous plaît. »

Teleconsultation EN: "I have EHIC/CPAM/LAMal/private insurance. How do payment and reimbursement work?" FR: « J'ai CEAM/CPAM/LAMal. Comment se passe le paiement et le remboursement ? »

Always ask for a detailed invoice (codes, stamp, clinic IBAN). Without it, claims stall.

Budget tip: ask for the price before examination (especially dental/optical). Many clinics provide a range and a quote within 24–48 h.

Before Treatment:

• Get 2–3 quotes for any work above €300–400
• Ask for a treatment plan broken into stages (urgent → essential → cosmetic)
• Request price estimates in writing

Country-Specific Rules:

• Germany: Requires Heil- und Kostenplan pre-approval from your Krankenkasse
• Spain/Italy: Prosthetics often 20–30% cheaper than FR/CH, but check reviews carefully
• Switzerland: TARMED invoicing—always keep the PDF

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Pressure to pay cash only
• Vague or verbal-only quotes
• Refusal to provide detailed invoices
• Claims that "everything is reimbursed" without naming your insurer
• No treatment alternatives offered

EU-Wide Emergency Numbers:

• 112 — Ambulance & medical emergencies
• 116 117 — On-call doctor (non-urgent, available in many EU countries)

Country-Specific Numbers:

• France: 3624 (SOS Médecins), 3115 (pharmacy on call)
• Switzerland: 144 (emergency), 0800 33 66 55 (Medgate teleconsult)
• Spain: 955 545 060 (Salud Responde)
• UK/Ireland: 111 (non-urgent advice), 999 (emergency)
• Germany: 116 117 (on-call doctor)

Action Item: Create a phone note with these numbers PLUS your home address in the local language.

Essential Health Kit:

• Pain reliever (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
• Fever reducer
• Antihistamine
• Copies of chronic medication prescriptions
• Allergy list translated into English + local language

France:

• Book via Doctolib or your mairie's health portal
• Register a médecin traitant in Ameli within 3 months for best reimbursement rates
• Carte Vitale enables direct billing (tiers payant)

Germany:

• Use Jameda or your Krankenkasse's doctor finder
• Many practices fill same-day slots at 8:00 AM—call early
• Keep your Versichertennummer (insurance number) handy

Spain:

• Register at your local centro de salud for public care
• For faster private appointments, use TopDoctors (often bilingual)
• Public system is free but can have long waits

Switzerland:

• Check if your LAMal plan requires a family-doctor referral ("gatekeeper" model)
• Save all TARMED invoices as PDFs
• Private insurance usually reimburses within 5–15 days

Before. Sunday toothache in Barcelona, zero contacts, fear of high fees. After. Filters "English/French" on TopDoctors → Monday 9am slot, €50 consult, PDF invoice, claim via app, refund in 72h. Leaves a review with the keyword "English-speaking dentist" to help others. Lesson. The longest part isn't the treatment—it's knowing who to ask what.

• Healthcare for European Expats — Understanding the basics of the European healthcare system
• EHIC Renewal Made Simple — Don't forget to renew your European Health Insurance Card
• France–Switzerland Cross-Border Health & Rights — Essential guide for cross-border workers

Documents:

• ✓ Valid EHIC/GHIC card + cloud-saved scan
• ✓ Health insurer app installed and logged in
• ✓ Prescriptions translated (EN + local language)
• ✓ Allergy list in multiple languages

Contacts Ready:

• ✓ 3 nearby doctors who speak your language (save in Google Maps)
• ✓ Emergency numbers programmed into phone
• ✓ Copy-paste appointment scripts (EN/FR/DE/ES)

For Every Appointment:

• ✓ Request detailed invoice with procedure codes
• ✓ Take photo/scan immediately
• ✓ Submit via insurer app same day
• ✓ Save confirmation emails in dedicated folder

Can I use EHIC for planned treatment? EHIC covers necessary care during temporary stays. For planned procedures, you need S2 prior authorisation from your home insurer.

Are teleconsultations reimbursed? Most EU countries (FR, DE, ES) reimburse teleconsults the same as in-person visits. Always request an invoice and medical report.

How do I find English-speaking doctors? Use platform language filters, read reviews mentioning language, or send the appointment script above—most offices reply quickly to confirm.