Information
Getting Contraception in Berlin
Getting contraception in Germany can be a little tricky, not to mention expensive. Essentially,
state and private insurance providers will only cover the costs of contraception up until your
20th birthday except for in particular circumstances - for instance if you are taking the pill for
a skin condition such as acne. From the time you turn 18, you can also incur costs such as
prescription fees and higher pharmacy charges. Those receiving financial support
from the state (Arbeitslosengeld II and also Sozialgeld) must also cover the costs of
contraception themselves from the age of 20. There are, however, organisations who can
provide free or reduced cost contraception to those otherwise unable to afford it.
Organisations of this kind operating in Berlin are listed below. If you are privately insured
you must cover all costs yourself, from any age.
The following information is not intended as a comprehensive guide to choosing and using
contraception. Rather it is some basic information about the kinds of contraception available
in Berlin and where and how you can get it.
Contraception Without Prescription
The following methods of contraception do not require a doctor's visit or a prescription.
Condoms - (das Kondom / die Kondome)
Widely available in pharmacies, drugstores (e.g. DM or Rossmann) and supermarkets.
Costs vary according to brand, packet size, and if they are latex-free (more expensive) or not.
Roughly around 1 euro per condom.
Female condom - (das Kondom für die Frau)
Not usually available in stores. Can be ordered online or in pharmacies.
Relatively expensive for a single use method - around 3 euros per condom.
Diaphragm -(das Diaphragma)
Not usually available in stores. Can be ordered online or in pharmacies.
Can cost up to 50 euros but lasts around a year. You will also need to purchase spermicide
gel to use with it (about 10 euros).
Femcap - (die Femcap)
Not usually available in stores. Can be ordered online or in pharmacies.
Can cost up to 50-60 euros but lasts around 1-2 years. You will also need to purchase
spermicide gel to use with it (about 10 euros).
The Morning After Pill - (die Pille Danach)
The morning after pill is available without prescription in pharmacies. The pharmacist will
advise you about how best to take the morning after pill and also to ascertain whether it is
still viable. The costs are not covered by state insurance unless you are under 20, in which
case you will need to provide a prescription. The range from pharmacy to pharmacy and
from pill to pill vary but are roughly in the region of 20 to 40 euros. If you are under 14 you will
require parental permission.
NB - some pharmacies choose not to dispense the morning after pill. Apparently this is within
their rights and unfortunately you will have to go to a different pharmacy.
Contraception With Prescription
The (Combined Contraceptive) Pill - (die (Kombinationspille)
Available only on prescription from a gynecologist (Frauenarzt)
Monthly packages cost around 15-23 euros. Three or six month supplies are more
cost-effective. A six-month supply of the pill costs around 50 euros.
The Minipill - (die Minipille)
Available only on prescription from a gynecologist (Frauenartz).
Costs depend on the hormones in the minipill. Three month packages range from 20-40
euros.
Hormonal Contraceptive Coil - (die Hormonenspiral)
Available only through a gynecologist (Frauenartz) who will advise you, prepare you for, and
eventually fit the hormonal coil.
The hormonal coil costs between 250 and 400 euro* including consultation, fitting and
treatment. The first ultrasound check after insertion is covered by state insurance; you must
cover all further recommended ultrasounds yourself.
Other Hormonal Contraceptive Methods
Other methods of contraception involving hormones are available through a
gynecologist (Frauenartz) on prescription. These include the three month hormonal injection
(Dreimonatsspritze), the hormonal implant (Hormonimplantat), the vaginal ring (Vaginalring), and the contraceptive patch (Verhütungspflaster). As with other
hormonal methods, state health insurance will only cover costs up until your
twentieth birthday.
Nonhormonal Contraceptive Methods
The Copper Coil - (die Kupferspirale)
Available only through a gynecologist (Frauenartz) who will advise you, prepare you for and
eventually fit the copper coil.
The copper coil costs between 120 and 300 euro including consultation, fitting and
treatment. The first ultrasound check after insertion is covered by state insurance; you must
cover all further recommended ultrasounds yourself.
The Copper Chain (die Kupferkette)
Available only through a gynecologist (Frauenartz) who will advise you, prepare you for and
eventually fit the copper chain.
The copper chain costs between 200 and 350 euro including fitting and treatment.
Financial Help
Some financial assistance with contraception does exist for women over 20 who earn under
a certain income level through sexual health centres (Zentren für sexuelle Gesundheit).
These centres can be used to fill prescriptions at reduced or removed costs, obtain medical
advice and they also can fit longer-term methods like the coil or the diaphragm. They also
offer services for people without health insurance. You do not usually need to make an
appointment for the filling of prescriptions at reduced or removed cost, but you will need to
make an appointment for other services. You will need to visit one of the centres (see
below) with the following documents:
- Doctor's prescription (must not have been filled already in a pharmacy)
- Personal ID or passport with registration certificate
- Proof of your current income and funds
- Proof of current study (if applicable)
- Rental contract and proof of actual payment (for example bank statements)
- Proof of any benefits you are receiving
Please note - we are in the process of checking the policy of these centres in terms of inclusivity and the services they can provide for non-registered folk.
Centres for sexual health in Berlin
Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Janusz-Korczak-Str. 32
12627 Berlin
Tel.: 90293-3655
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Hohenzollerndamm 174
10713 Berlin
Tel.: 90291-6870
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Urbanstr. 24
10967 Berlin
Tel.: 90298-8363
Mitte (Standort Wedding)
Ruheplatzstr. 13
13347 Berlin
Steglitz-Zehlendorf
August-Viktoria-Krankenhaus
Rubensstr. 125, Haus 30, 4. OG
12157 Berlin