PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a 28-day course of emergency HIV medication. It must be started within 72 hours of a high-risk exposure (e.g., a condom break with a partner of unknown status), but the sooner you start it, the more effective it is. In Germany, it is available 24/7 from most Uniklinik Notaufnahmen (university hospital emergency departments) and is generally covered by GKV.
🚨 Where to Go Right Now
Do not wait for a convenient appointment. Your route depends entirely on the time of day.
| Time / Day | Where to Go | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Anytime | Notaufnahme at a Uniklinik (University Hospital) | 24/7 capacity. Do not need an appointment or a referral. |
| Unsure? (Daytime) | Call Deutsche Aidshilfe Hotline: 0180 33 19411 | Mon-Fri 09:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-14:00. |
| Unsure? (Out of Hours) | Call 116117 (national medical on-call) | Free, 24/7 assessment. |
Major Hospitals
- Berlin: Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria-Klinikum (Rubensstraße 125, Station 12) or Charité (Mitte, Benjamin Franklin, Virchow).
- Hamburg: UKE (Martinistraße 52).
- Cologne: Uniklinik Köln (Kerpener Str. 62).
- Munich: LMU Klinikum (Ziemssenstraße 5) or Klinikum Schwabing (Kölner Platz 1).
- Frankfurt: Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt (Theodor-Stern-Kai 7).
Do not go to your Hausarzt (GP). Your GP cannot prescribe PEP and does not have it in stock. They will redirect you to a hospital, wasting critical hours.
🗣️ Navigating Triage
Staff will take your case seriously. You may need to wait, but PEP requests are treated as time-critical.
- Use the terminology: "Ich benötige PEP nach einer möglichen HIV-Exposition." (I need PEP following a potential HIV exposure).
- State the timeline: "Das war vor [X] Stunden." (It was [X] hours ago).
- Be direct about the exposure: State exactly what happened (e.g., receptive anal sex without a condom).
The Starter Pack: The Notaufnahme will provide a starter pack of PEP (typically 3–7 days). The follow-up is mandatory. You must book an appointment with a Schwerpunktarzt (HIV specialist) the following Monday (or next working day) to obtain the full 28-day course. Search dagnae.de for the nearest HIV specialist.
💊 The Medication: What to Expect
The standard German PEP regimen usually consists of Truvada (or a generic equivalent) taken alongside either raltegravir or dolutegravir (Tivicay).
- It is a strict regimen: PEP is not a morning-after pill. It is a mandatory 28-day course, and you cannot miss doses.
- Side effects are manageable: You may experience nausea, fatigue, or diarrhea, though not everyone does. The clinic will often prescribe anti-sickness medication alongside your PEP.
- Do not stop: Never stop taking PEP without speaking to a doctor first.
💶 Cost
- GKV (statutory insurance): PEP is generally covered if there is a verified medical indication. Standard co-pays apply (~€10 hospital visit, €10 prescription).
- PKV (private insurance): Generally covered; check your policy.
- No insurance / visitors: You will be billed. Costs can be €1,000–2,000+. If cost is a barrier, ask the hospital social worker (Sozialarbeiter) about emergency funds.
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