Your First Winter in Germany brings the surprise of shorter days, dry heated air and a cold-and-flu season that hits every office and U-Bahn. Here’s how to stay healthy, with links to everything you need.
How to get a flu shot in Germany?
When: The best time is October or November, before the flu wave peaks. Your body needs around 10 to 14 days to build protection. Missed it? You can still get vaccinated later, even during an active flu wave.
Who it’s recommended for: STIKO recommends the annual shot for everyone aged 60+, pregnant women from the second trimester, people with chronic conditions and those in high-contact jobs. Healthy younger adults can still get it if they want.
Where:
- Your Hausarzt (GP): call to book.
- A pharmacy (Apotheke): pharmacies can vaccinate adults 18+, with no doctor visit or prescription needed. A consultation happens beforehand.
Is the flu shot free in Germany?
Cost: If you’re in a STIKO risk group, statutory insurance pays, including at the pharmacy. Many insurers also cover it voluntarily for adults outside those groups. Barmer, DAK, TK, KKH and other public insurers have joined an agreement that covers adults 18+ at pharmacies without any special indication. Private insurance also reimburses pharmacy flu shots for adults.
Bring: your health insurance card (eGK) and your vaccination booklet (Impfpass) if you have one.
Vitamin D and Other Vitamins from dm and Rossmann
Vitamin D Test in Germany
Can I get a vitamin D test at a pharmacy?
Over-the-counter rapid test kits: You can buy finger-prick self-test kits like Rapid Vitamin D test or Vitamin D self-test for home use
Low winter sun means many people consider vitamin D. Stiftung Warentest rates up to 800 IU daily as suitable for prevention, and rates daily doses above 1,000 IU as less suitable.
- Mivolis Vitamin D3 Wochen-Depot (dm): one capsule a week, which equals 800 IU a day.
- Mivolis Vitamin D Selbsttest (dm): a home kit with lab analysis to check your level before supplementing.
- Mivolis vitamins & minerals range (dm): includes Vitamin C Depot, magnesium and calcium + D3.
Supplements don’t replace a balanced diet. Check with your doctor if you take other medication.
Warm Teas and Cold & Cough Remedies
Drogerie or Apotheke? dm and Rossmann sell teas, lozenges, balms and saline sprays. For painkillers, fever reducers and decongestant nasal sprays, go to an Apotheke.
From dm:
- dmBio Grüner Tee Ingwer & Zitrone: €1.65 for 20 bags.
- dm Erkältungstee range: sage tea, hot elderberry drink and ginger-curcuma.
From Rossmann:
- Altapharma Erkältungsbalsam: chest rub.
- Altapharma Bronchial Meeressalz-Bad: a bath additive for comfort when coughing, €0.79.
- Rossmann cold & immunity category: lozenges, saline nasal spray, children’s balms.
How to Use and Maintain Your Radiators in Germany
German radiators confuse a lot of newcomers. Get them right and you’ll be warmer, healthier and pay less.
- Understand the numbers: the thermostat sets a target room temperature, not heating power. Level 3 ≈ 20°C, level 2 ≈ 16°C, level 4 ≈ 24°C, level 5 ≈ 28°C.
- Don’t crank it to 5: a room warms just as fast on 3 as on 5. On 5 it simply keeps heating past 20°C. Each extra degree adds roughly 6% to heating costs.
- Recommended temperatures: about 20°C in the living room, 18°C in the bedroom, 16°C in rarely used rooms.
- Bleed your radiators (entlüften): gurgling or a cold top means there’s air inside. Do it once a year at the start of heating season. You’ll need a bleed key (Entlüftungsschlüssel) from any hardware store and a cup and cloth. If immediate water comes out, there was no air.
- Keep radiators uncovered: furniture and heavy curtains block warmth.
- Air smart: turn the radiator down while you air rooms, and don’t let rooms drop below 16°C, which raises mould risk. Mould is a real health issue for your airways.
Quick Winter Health Checklist
- Book your flu shot (October–November)
- Check your vitamin D needs
- Stock teas, lozenges and saline spray
- Bleed your radiators and set them to 3
- Save 116 117 in your phone in case of medical emergency
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your situation.
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