If you find yourself away from home and urgently need a English-speaking doctor abroad – don’t panic. There are proven ways to quickly get help, even in an unfamiliar city. Someone recently asked me about this topic, so I decided to compile useful tips that might come in handy during your trip. Hopefully, you won’t need them but it’s better to be prepared.
Someone recently asked me about this, so I put together a few solutions and life hacks just in case. Hopefully, you won’t need them.
Travel Insurance
The most obvious one – I hope you didn’t forget to get travel insurance. It includes a contact phone number, among other things. That’s your first and main point of contact. Their staff usually speak multiple languages and are required to help you find a doctor, organize the visit, and even a translator if necessary. They work with local clinics and doctors and know who speaks your language. Don’t hesitate to call them even for “small” issues.
Hidden Databases
Use “hidden” databases and professional communities:
Embassies and consulates: They maintain lists of local doctors who speak your country’s language. These lists are often not publicly available, but you can request them by phone or in person. It’s a great way to find a trustworthy doctor, often experienced in working with expats.
International hospitals and clinics: In major cities around the world, there are so-called “international” or “American/British” hospitals. They cater to foreigners and expats, and their entire staff, including doctors, speaks English.
Online platforms for expats: There are specialized forums and social media groups for expats in specific cities or countries. Register and ask your question — local foreigners often share contacts of trusted doctors who speak their language. This is a very valuable source of firsthand information.
Tech Opportunities
Maximize tech opportunities:
Doctor search apps with language filters: (e.g., Doctena or Mednanny) Some international or regional doctor appointment apps offer language filters. If you know the name of one for the country you’re in, look it up and check its features.
Online telemedicine:
There are services that allow you to have online consultations with a doctor, like VideoDoc or Hello, Doc! They often have doctors who speak various languages. This can be a great first step to assess your situation and get recommendations before seeing someone in person.
Google Maps with “smart” search: Instead of a simple “doctor near me,” try something like “English speaking doctor [city name].” Sometimes users leave reviews noting the language skills of the staff.
Prescription Medication
Getting prescription medication in the local language.
If you might have trouble accessing important medication, it’s best to prepare in advance. Ideally, bring a prescription from your home doctor.
Escalation of solutions from simple to effective:
Take a photo of your old prescription: sometimes it’s enough to show the image to a pharmacist or doctor on site.
Photo translator apps: Google Translate or similar tools can help recognize the text from a prescription photo.
Ask your doctor to write the name of the active substance (not the brand name) and the dosage in English. This will help the pharmacist understand you correctly.
The most effective trick: ask the doctor to issue the prescription using the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of the drug. This is a universal name for the active substance recognized by pharmacists worldwide, regardless of language or country.
Useful Resources and Emergency Tips
International emergency numbers: In most European countries, the universal number 112 is used (fire, police, ambulance). In the US, Canada, and Mexico — it’s 911. Can be dialed even from a phone without a SIM card.
Doctor search websites and services:
- IAMAT — International Association, vetted English-speaking doctors worldwide.
- Air Doctor — platform to search for doctors by language, insurance, and specialization.
- Cigna Global — database for insured travelers, with language filters.
Useful apps:
Zocdoc (USA), Doctolib (France, Germany), Ada Health (AI symptom checker). Some offer language filters for doctors.
Groups and forums: Facebook groups like “Canadians in Berlin” or “Expat Life in Spain” often share doctor recommendations. Reddit communities are great places to ask questions and get personal advice.
Before traveling with medication: Check if your medication is allowed in the destination country. Some countries (like Japan or UAE) have restrictions. Useful sites: travelhealthpro.org.uk, incb.org.
💡 Checklist: Medical prep before your trip
- ✅ Insurance with international coverage arranged
- ✅ Prescriptions photographed and printed
- ✅ Active ingredients listed, not just brand names
- ✅ Essential apps installed (Google Translate, Zocdoc, Ada)
- ✅ Emergency numbers and embassy addresses saved
Take care of yourself — may you never need this info, but it’s always good to have on hand. Wishing you good health, wherever you travel.