How to Find a Doctor in Western Europe That Speaks English

You’re far from home and something’s not right. Maybe it’s a fever, a stomach bug, or a prescription refill. You need a doctor—but where do you begin?

If you’re traveling through Europe, don’t assume you can walk into a public hospital and be treated for free. While most European countries have excellent public healthcare for residents, travelers will almost always need to pay out of pocket or rely on travel insurance.

The good news? You have solid options. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to find a doctor in Western Europe—quickly, safely, and in English—using trusted booking platforms, tips from fellow travelers, and tools to help you avoid unexpected costs.

Not sure what to do in a true emergency—like a fall, chest pain, or urgent care after hours?
[Read my full guide on What to Do in a Medical Emergency Abroad] for ambulance help, hospital access, and what to do if you’re uninsured.

1. Understand Your Options First

1.1 You Don’t Get Free Public Healthcare as a Tourist

Even when care at a public hospital is available, it often comes with:

• Long wait times
• Limited English-speaking staff
• Complex intake or referral systems
• No ability to schedule appointments in advance

Don’t rely on public hospitals unless it’s a true emergency.

1.2 Private Care Is the Best Option for Travelers

Your best options are private doctors, clinics and hospitals. These providers often offer:

• Same-day or next-day appointments
• English-speaking staff
• Transparent pricing
• Documentation for insurance reimbursement

And here’s some reassuring news: The costs are often lower than you’d expect, especially compared to U.S. healthcare prices.

A sudden need for a doctor cost me only €30 in Paris years ago; factoring in for inflation, figure around €40. Other travelers tell me the same–that can’t believe how much we pay here in the states compared to Europe.

KEEN TIP: Always ask for an itemized receipt. You’ll need it for insurance claims or tax deductions—and some clinics will even provide it in English.

1.3 Will Travel Insurance Cover a Doctor Visit?

Usually yes—but you’ll need to pay upfront and file for reimbursement later.

Here’s what to do:

• Save all documentation: Receipts, prescriptions, diagnostic reports
• Check your policy terms: Some require pre-authorization
• File promptly: Many insurers want claims submitted within 30 days
• Contact them ASAP: Some plans require notification within 24–48 hours of the visit

Some travel insurance plans now cover telehealth, which can save time and money for minor issues.

💡 HOW TO PICK A TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN: There is no one-size-fits-all insurer so I don’t recommend an individual company or plan. In our case, because my husband has preexisting conditions, I went to a comparison site called VisitorsCoverage where you can filter by your specific needs, without the extras you don’t need, such as:

• Pre-existing condition coverage
• Prescription drug benefits
• Emergency doctor visits
• Telemedicine access

KEEN TIP: Ask the clinic to email you your medical records if you don’t receive a printed copy. You may need them later for follow-up care.

✈️ Want packing tips, country-specific medication rules and more?

I’ve put together a free 109 page guide that will give you confidence to travel with your medication, find local medical help and get assistance in a medical emergency:

3. Where to Find a Doctor in Western Europe (Even on Short Notice)

Now that you understand your options and costs, here’s how to actually book a doctor abroad without stress.

💊 Need antibiotics, a pain reliever, or a refill? You might not need a doctor at all. [Check out my guide on How to Get Prescriptions When Traveling Internationally]—it walks you through what’s available over the counter and how to ask for what you need, even without speaking the language.

I give a thumbs up to the ones I’ve used personally with success.

3.1 Doctor-Finder for In-Person and Video Visits

These websites and apps, are traveler-tested and often used by expats, international students, and digital nomads:

• 👍 Air Doctor – User-friendly website. Book in-person or telemedicine visits with English-speaking doctors in over 70 countries, including all of Western Europe. Great for urgent needs. In some locations, you may pay a bit more to get a same-day visit with a doctor who speaks your language.
• Zocdoc International – Limited availability in Europe, but good in the UK and Ireland. Use for private clinics only.
• Doctolib – Great interface. I learned about this one during my trip to Nice this year. Download the app on your phone; it doesn’t work in all of Europe but it’s good for finding a doctor in France and Germany.
• DocTap (UK) – Reliable, though limited. Private, same-day GP visits in London start at (£)75. Video visits start (£)55.

KEEN TIP: If the platform is only in the local language, use Google Translate’s built-in browser feature. Many booking forms are still easy to navigate.

🔴 For Video Visits: Can a Telehealth Doctor Prescribe in Europe?

Yes—but only if the doctor is licensed in the country you’re physically in.

This means:

• A U.S.-based doctor can advise you, but usually can’t send a legal prescription to a European pharmacy Some U.S.-based telehealth platforms allow consultations while abroad, but most cannot issue prescriptions accepted in Europe. For medical treatment overseas, it’s best to book with a doctor licensed in the country you’re visiting.
• A France-based doctor (on Air Doctor, for example) can send a valid prescription to a local pharmacy in Paris

💡 KEEN TIP: Telehealth doctors in Europe can often email or text you a PDF prescription with a QR code or signature—pharmacies usually accept this.

3.2 Concierge Medical Services and Hotel Referrals

If you’re not feeling up to navigating local clinics—or you simply want the peace of mind of in-room care—concierge medical services can bring a qualified doctor to you, often within hours.

Ask Your Hotel First

Most 3-star and higher hotels in Western Europe have trusted doctors on call or partnerships with local clinics that cater to tourists. Concierge staff can:

• Call a licensed English-speaking doctor to your hotel room
• Recommend a nearby clinic that accepts walk-ins
• Help arrange transportation to a private hospital if needed

⚠️ KEEN TIP: Ask specifically for a private provider, not a referral to the public hospital unless it’s an emergency.

3.3 Private Medical Services That Come to You

These providers specialize in at-home or hotel visits for travelers. Most accept credit cards and provide receipts for insurance claims. They typically handle fever, flu and infections, gastro issues, rashes, injuries, prescription refills and other non-life-threateneing concerns.

• 👍 SOS Médecins (France):
  Available in Paris and many major cities. Offers urgent care house calls 24/7.
  Website: sosmedecins.fr
• Medelit (Italy):
  Multilingual doctors who travel to your location. Also provides nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists.
  Website: medelit.com
• FirstMed Centers (Hungary & Italy):
  Full-service international clinics with doctors who can also visit hotels.
  Website: firstmedcenters.com
• Doctors Barcelona (Spain):
  Same-day house calls or clinic visits. Also available in Mallorca and Costa Brava.
  Website: doctorsbarcelona.com

3.4 Embassy Resources and Local Clinic Lists

If you’re unable to find a doctor through online or at your hotel, the safest fallback is your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Every embassy maintains a list of local English-speaking doctors, clinics, and hospitals that are willing and able to treat American citizens.

🛂 What Can the Embassy Do?

Embassies and consulates do not pay for medical care, but they can:

• Provide an up-to-date list of doctors and specialists in the area
• Confirm if a provider is reputable and licensed
• Help you communicate in emergencies (especially in rural or non-English-speaking areas)
• Notify family back home if you are hospitalized
• Assist in obtaining medication replacements or transfers (in coordination with your doctor)

💡 KEEN TIP: Many travelers don’t realize you can download local doctor lists from embassy websites before your trip—no internet needed if you save the page or take a screenshot.

🔎 Where to Find These Embassy Doctor Lists Online

You want to search online for usembassy.gov. Click on your destination. Let’s say it’s Rome. Look for U.S. Citizen Services. Sometimes, as in the case of Rome, it’s along the top. For other cities, it might be located in a dropdown menu at the right.

Next scroll until you see Medical Assistance. In this case you will notice at the right that there is a specific Rome consulate (one of four our embassy maintains in Italy). Click on that and you will get pages of private doctors and hospitals that they have vetted.

📞 Prefer to Speak to Someone?

Country	U.S. Embassy/Consulate	Phone (Local)
France	U.S. Embassy Paris	+33 (0)1 43 12 22 22
Germany	U.S. Embassy Berlin	+49 (0)30 8305 0
Italy	U.S. Embassy Rome	+39 06 4674 1
Spain	U.S. Embassy Madrid	+34 91 587 2200
Portugal	U.S. Embassy Lisbon	+351 21 770 2122
United Kingdom	U.S. Embassy London	+44 (0)20 7499 9000

What to Do if You Can’t Reach the Embassy or Locate Their Doctor List

• Dial 112 (the European emergency number) if it’s urgent
• Visit the nearest private pharmacy and ask if they can recommend a local doctor—many pharmacists in Europe act as community health resources
• Ask your hotel or Airbnb host to call a clinic for you—they often know the closest English-speaking provider

💡 KEEN TIP: Carry a one-page summary of your medical conditions, prescriptions, and allergies—either in your wallet or on your phone. It can help speed up care if you’re unable to speak for yourself.

4. Wrap Up

Getting sick on vacation is never part of the plan—but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip either.

In Western Europe, you have more medical options than you might expect. Private clinics and telehealth providers are used to working with international travelers. Many speak English, offer same-day appointments, and charge far less than you’d pay back home in the U.S.

If you’ve read this far, you’re already ahead of the curve. You’ve learned how to spot the right kind of clinic, how to make a smart booking, and what paperwork you’ll need for travel insurance. And if you’re ever in doubt, your hotel concierge, a trusted pharmacist, or your nearest embassy can help guide you to the care you need.

Don’t wait until it’s urgent. Save the right apps, contact numbers, and medical info before your trip, so you can act fast if something goes wrong.