Information
German pharmacies (Apotheken) are an interesting phenomenon. They consist mainly of seasonal window displays, carefully curated displays of a total of about fifteen items and a phalanx of white coated staff who can range in temperament from kindly grandmother to Berghain door staff. They can also be eye-wateringly expensive. This being said they are also very handy and can help you out in a variety of sexual and reproductive health situations.
Another important thing to note about pharmacies here in Germany is that, while you won't find any that open consistently for 24 hours, pharmacies in all the neighbourhoods sort of take it in shifts to operate an emergency 24 hour service (Notdienst). You can find ones close to you at https://m.aponet.de/. The website is in German but it is easy to use. Click on ‘Notdienst’ and type in your post / zip code (Postleitzahl) and it will bring up a list of pharmacies. You can also use this website to find your nearest pharmacy during normal business hours, just click on ‘Tagsüber’ at the top instead. If you are stuck somewhere without the ability to search online find a pharmacy and it will have the ‘on call’ pharmacy for that night posted in the window. Once you find the open pharmacy you may, depending on the time, have to communicate your needs through a small sliding screen.
Alright, so now you've found a pharmacy, what services can they provide? First of all, a pharmacy is going to be where you get a prescription (Rezept) filled. Make sure you check the expiration date on your prescription and get it filled in time. If you miss the time, your doctor or even sometimes the receptionist, can issue you a new one if you go back there and explain. Back at the pharmacy, what you pay for your prescription will depend on the type of insurance you have.
In addition to any prescriptions you may need filled, the pharmacy can also provide you with a range of contraceptive methods for which you do not need a prescription. It is worth noting that things available in drugstores will probably be cheaper in your local DM or Rossman, and you can get condoms in the supermarket too! Please find a list of contraception available without a doctor's visit or prescription below.
Condoms - (das Kondom / die Kondome)
Widely available in pharmacies, drugstores (eg. 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. They range from pharmacy to pharmacy and from pill to pill, 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.