PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication that can prevent HIV infection after a potential exposure. It must be started within 72 hours — the sooner the better. Every hour counts.

Where to Go

In Germany, PEP is available from hospital emergency departments (Notaufnahme) at Unikliniken (university hospitals) and larger general hospitals. Go directly to the emergency department and say you need PEP. You do not need an appointment.

Key PEP hospitals:

Berlin

Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria-Klinikum Rubensstraße 125, 12157 Berlin Station 12 specialises in HIV/infectious diseases — specifically experienced with PEP requests from gay and bisexual men. This is the most established PEP access point in Berlin.

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Multiple campuses (Mitte, Benjamin Franklin, Virchow). All emergency departments can initiate PEP.

Hamburg

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg HIV competence centre; emergency department well-versed in PEP.

Cologne

Uniklinik Köln Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Köln Large infectious disease department; go to the Notaufnahme.

Munich

LMU Klinikum – Campus Innenstadt Ziemssenstraße 5, 80336 München Klinikum Schwabing (TUM) Kölner Platz 1, 80804 München Both can initiate PEP. LMU Klinikum has a dedicated HIV outpatient unit.

Frankfurt

Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt Infectious diseases unit; Notaufnahme handles PEP requests.

What to Say at the Emergency Department

"Ich hatte möglicherweise eine HIV-Exposition und benötige PEP. Das war vor [X] Stunden." ("I may have been exposed to HIV and need PEP. It was [X] hours ago.")

Staff will take your case seriously. You may need to wait, but PEP requests are treated as time-critical.

What Happens Next

  1. Assessment — A doctor will review the nature of the exposure and your HIV status (rapid test).
  2. Starter pack — If PEP is appropriate, you'll receive a starter supply (typically 3–7 days of medication) on the spot.
  3. Follow-up — You must see a Schwerpunktarzt the following Monday (or the next working day) to obtain the full 28-day course. The Notaufnahme cannot prescribe beyond the starter pack.
  4. Tests — Baseline HIV, hepatitis B/C, full blood count at initiation; repeat HIV test at day 28 and again at 3 months.

Book your Schwerpunktarzt follow-up as soon as you leave the hospital. Search dagnä.de for the nearest HIV specialist — call first thing Monday morning.

PEP and German Health Insurance

  • GKV (statutory insurance): PEP is covered. You pay standard hospital co-pays.
  • PKV (private insurance): Generally covered; check your policy.
  • No insurance / visitors: You will be billed. Costs can be €1,000–2,000+ for the full course. If cost is a barrier, ask the hospital social worker (Sozialarbeiter) about options — Aidshilfe organisations sometimes have emergency funds.

The 72-Hour Rule

Time since exposure Action
Under 72 hours Go to a Notaufnahme immediately — PEP is an option
Over 72 hours PEP is not effective — speak to a doctor about testing and monitoring
4–6 weeks later Get an HIV test even if you did not take PEP

If You're Not Sure

Call the Aidshilfe Hotline: 0800 44 66 77 (free, 24/7). They can advise whether your exposure warrants PEP and direct you to the nearest access point.

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