The vast majority of people living in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance or Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV).
Nearly 90 percent of the population - more than 74 million people - have this kind of health cover, according to official figures.
The remaining residents have private health insurance. Private health insurers offer similar services, although the costs, as well as perks and benefits, differ slightly.
However, members of a public Krankenkasse are entitled to a whole range of regular screening examinations aimed at catching diseases or other conditions as early as possible. These depend on gender and age and are carried out at different intervals.
Information on these services are often available as leaflets in doctors' offices but you can also chat with your health giver or your insurer about them if you're unsure or have any questions.
Here's a look at the main check-ups you can access in Germany as an adult:
We've specified whether the procedure refers to men, women or everyone, but keep in mind that they may apply to you even if you don't identify as the gender mentioned. Doctors can of course recommend check-ups at different intervals depending on the patient's needs.
From the age of 18 up to the age of 35, everyone can receive a one-off general health check-up at their GP practice.
From the age of 20, women can get a pap smear examination once a year from gynaecologist for the early detection of cancer.
Up to the age of 25, women can get an annual test for a chlamydia infection at gynaecologists.
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Up to the age of 30, women are entitled to an annual breast examination at the gynaecologists as part of cancer screening. They should also advise patients onto how carry out regular breast self-examination for early detection.
From the age of 35, women can get a combined screening every three years from a gynaecologist consisting of a cytological examination and HPV test.
From the age of 35 everyone can get a general health check-up from their GP every three years for early detection of conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes. This check-up can also include a one-off screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection. This is intended to recognize undetected infections and treat them at an early stage to prevent long-term issues.
From the age of 35 everyone can get a skin cancer screening for early detection every two years. This involves examining the skin of the entire body. Note that it can only be carried out by doctors (such as dermatologists) who have a licence from the Statutory Health Insurance organisation and are approved for skin cancer screening by the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
From the age of 45, men can get an annual cancer screening of the genitals and prostate by a urologist.
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From the age of 50, women can get an annual test for hidden blood in the stool for the early detection of bowel cancer. This can be carried out by GPs, gynaecologists or internal medicine doctors.
From the age of 50, men between the ages of 50 and 54, can either get an annual test for hidden blood in the stool (from GPs, urologists or internal medicine doctors) or, from the age of 50, have two colonoscopies at least 10 years apart in a gastroenterology practice.
From 50 to 75, women can get a mammography screening every two years for the early detection of breast cancer. From January 2025, women between the ages of 70 and 75 will be invited by post on a notification basis and will no longer have to register themselves at a local screening centre. It is expected that all women aged 70 and over will receive a written invitation from 2026.
From the age of 55, women can either get a test to find hidden blood in the stool or get two colonoscopies at least 10 years apart for the early detection of bowel cancer.
From the age of 65, men have a one-time entitlement to an ultrasound examination for the early detection of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta at certain GP practices, urologists and surgeons with authorisation from the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
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