Quick answer: In your first week, save local emergency numbers, confirm insurance or public registration, choose a GP/family doctor near home or campus, then book a dental checkup and identify a lab for routine tests.
Educational content from DoctorBookly Editorial. Not personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed clinician. For emergencies, call your local emergency number.
Day 1–2: paperwork and emergencies
- Save the local emergency number (for example 911, 112, 999 depending on country).
- Keep digital copies of passport, visa, insurance card, and vaccination records.
- Note any ongoing prescriptions that will run out soon.
Find a GP / family doctor
Names differ by country — GP (UK), family doctor (Canada/USA), Hausarzt (Austria) — but the job is similar: first contact for most non-emergency issues and referrals.
- Search near your new postcode or campus.
- Ask whether they accept new patients and your insurance type.
- Register early; some areas have waiting lists.
Find a dentist
Dental coverage is often separate from medical insurance in the USA, Canada, and sometimes elsewhere. Book a routine exam before pain forces an emergency visit. Ask about language, evening hours, and itemized fees for uninsured services.
Find a lab
For blood tests and screening, ask your clinician which labs they prefer. Confirm whether you need a referral form, fasting instructions, and how results are delivered.
Country notes (high level)
- USA: Check in-network primary care and lab lists in your insurance portal.
- UK: Register with a local NHS GP practice using your address; dentists may have separate availability.
- Canada: Provincial health card + family doctor search; labs often need requisitions.
- Austria: Confirm insurance (e-card) and whether your Hausarzt / dentist has a public contract.
Use DoctorBookly in your new city
Search doctors, labs, and hospitals by location, then call to confirm they accept new patients and your coverage.
FAQ
What if I cannot find a GP yet?
Use urgent care or walk-in clinics for short-term needs while you keep applying for a permanent primary clinician. Keep a written record of every visit.
Should I keep my home-country doctor?
You can maintain a relationship for records continuity, but local prescribing and emergencies still need clinicians licensed where you now live.
