When sudden severe pain, fever, or circulation problems occur, many people do not know whether to call the emergency number or contact a medical service. Berlin has a dense network of rescue services – but not every acute case is a life-threatening emergency.
RAB Berlin, the private medical on-call service, closes the gap in care between the emergency room and your family doctor. Our specialist physicians come to your home quickly and provide professional treatment when an ambulance is not required.
When You Should Call 112
The emergency number 112 is for life-threatening situations. You should call the rescue service immediately if:
- severe chest pain suggests a heart attack,
- sudden paralysis or speech difficulties occur (suspected stroke),
- unconsciousness or respiratory arrest exists,
- severe bleeding or serious injuries are present,
- children experience seizures or febrile convulsions.
In these cases, every minute counts – an ambulance will take you to the nearest emergency room, where life-saving measures are immediately initiated.
When RAB Berlin Is the Right Choice
Many illnesses are urgent but not life-threatening.
If you need medical attention without requiring an emergency physician, RAB Berlin is the solution. Typical examples:
- High fever or infections that do not respond to home remedies.
- Respiratory or urinary tract infections with pain or burning sensations.
- Gastrointestinal complaints with vomiting or dehydration.
- Allergic reactions or skin rashes.
- Back pain and muscle blockages.
- Chronic conditions that suddenly worsen.
In these cases, a house call provides peace of mind, relief, and prompt treatment – without waiting times at the clinic.
How RAB Berlin Works
- Contact: You call or book online. Your request is immediately received by medical professionals.
- Callback: A physician calls you back promptly to assess your situation.
- Travel: A specialist physician arrives at your home within 60 to 90 minutes.
- Examination: Medical history, vital signs check, diagnostics – all conducted on-site.
- Treatment: Infusions, pain therapy, medications, or sick leave are arranged immediately.
- Follow-up: If necessary, RAB Berlin arranges hospital admission or follow-up appointments.
This way, you receive high-quality medical care and personal attention without leaving your home.
Why RAB Berlin Relieves the Burden on Emergency Rooms
Many people call the rescue service because they know no alternative. RAB Berlin provides such an alternative – quickly, safely, and discreetly.
By treating non-life-threatening cases at home, the emergency number remains available for genuine emergencies. At the same time, patients receive high-quality medical care – stress-free and without overcrowded waiting rooms.
Advantages of RAB Berlin at a Glance
- Specialist expertise: Experienced physicians in internal medicine, general medicine, and emergency medicine.
- Fast response: Usually on-site within 60 to 90 minutes.
- House calls throughout Berlin: Monday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to midnight.
- Transparent costs: Billing according to GOÄ (German fee schedule for physicians) – no out-of-pocket costs for private patients.
- Personal service: No call center, but direct contact with medically trained staff.
- English-language care: Ideal for tourists and expatriates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When Am I Too Ill for RAB Berlin?
RAB Berlin is designed for acute but not life-threatening complaints — situations where you urgently need a doctor but do not yet require inpatient emergency care. If there is immediate risk to life, please dial 112: examples include severe breathing difficulties, persistent or radiating chest pain, sudden one-sided weakness or speech disturbance (suspected stroke), unconsciousness, heavy bleeding, seizures, severe allergic reactions with breathing or circulatory problems, suspected poisoning and serious injuries after accidents. For psychiatric emergencies with a risk to oneself or others, dial 112 or, where appropriate, the police on 110. When in doubt, it is always safer to alert the rescue service — emergency physicians can judge the situation within minutes. In all other acute situations — fever, infections, gastrointestinal complaints, migraine, back pain, urinary tract infections or wound care — RAB Berlin is the right reliable contact and can usually be with you within 60 to 90 minutes.
How Quickly Does the Doctor Arrive?
As a rule, the doctor from RAB Berlin reaches you within 60 to 90 minutes of your call or online booking. During quieter periods and for short distances within central Berlin districts the arrival is often faster. At particularly busy times — Sundays and public holidays, late evenings or widespread infection waves — waiting times can stretch to around two hours. Our dispatch team provides a realistic time estimate already at the moment of booking and proactively informs you of any noticeable delay. The vehicles carry a fully equipped medical bag with diagnostics, common medications and basic emergency equipment, so the consultation can begin immediately on arrival. For acutely life-threatening symptoms please dial 112 instead — the emergency rescue service arrives within minutes and is the right contact for such cases; RAB Berlin focuses on urgent but non-life-threatening complaints around the clock.
How Does Payment Work?
Privately insured patients and civil servants entitled to subsidy (Beihilfe) receive a detailed invoice after the home visit according to the German official scale of medical fees (GOÄ), which they submit to their insurer or subsidy office. Reimbursement is generally provided in full, provided your tariff covers home visits and out-of-hours services. Self-payers receive the same transparent invoice and can settle the amount directly after the consultation in cash, by EC card or by credit card — our vehicles carry mobile card terminals. Many international travel and expat health insurers also reimburse the costs on presentation of the invoice and medical report. On request we issue all documentation in English, which significantly accelerates processing with foreign insurers. You can also receive a non-binding indication of the expected total cost in advance by phone — whether it is day, night or a public holiday — so that there are no surprises later on.
Are Prescriptions and Medical Certificates Issued?
Yes. Our specialist physicians, all licensed in Germany, may issue every standard German medical document directly during the home visit. This includes private prescriptions for prescription-only medication, prescriptions for therapeutic aids and remedies, referrals to specialists, and official sick notes (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung). The electronic sick note (eAU) is transmitted directly to your statutory health insurance company on request; you also receive a paper copy for your records and for your employer. Certificates for school, kindergarten, sports exemptions, travel-incapacity or events can be issued in German and English. For acutely needed medication we point you to the nearest emergency pharmacy or organise a delivery on request. Narcotic prescriptions follow strict legal rules and are issued only after careful assessment. You therefore save yourself a trip to your family doctor's practice the next day and can focus entirely on your recovery.
Is English Spoken?
Yes. Berlin is a deeply international city, and RAB Berlin is set up to look after German- and English-speaking patients equally. Our central dispatch team as well as a large majority of the specialist physicians speak fluent English and are comfortable using medical terminology in both languages. We regularly treat tourists, business travellers, diplomats, embassy staff, expats, international families and visiting students who live in Berlin short- or long-term. On request we issue the diagnosis, treatment plan, prescriptions and invoice in English, which makes reimbursement through international travel and health insurers much easier. Several of our physicians additionally speak Spanish, French, Italian, Russian or Polish. Please mention your preferred language already when booking so that we can match you with a doctor whose language skills fit your situation and prevent misunderstandings about diagnosis or treatment.
When You Should Not Wait
Do not hesitate to seek help if you are uncertain. Even if it turns out that there is no emergency, a medical assessment is often crucial.
RAB Berlin evaluates each situation individually and ensures that you receive exactly the help you need – quickly, competently, and with empathy.
Conclusion
Berlin has a strong medical network, but many people want personal and immediate help outside the emergency room. RAB Berlin offers exactly that: physician care at specialist level, right at your home.
Whether acute complaints, infections, or severe pain – RAB Berlin physicians come when other practices are closed and give you peace of mind before things become critical.
If you need fast medical help in Berlin, you can reach RAB Berlin daily from 6 a.m. to midnight at
030 550 77 870
or book your appointment directly online at
https://rab-arztbesuche.berlin/online-buchen/.
RAB Berlin specialist physicians usually arrive at your home within 60 to 90 minutes.