🩺 How to Use Doctolib in France: The Complete Guide for English Speakers
Updated: Aug 11
If you live in France, are moving here, or are spending time here, sooner or later you may need to book a doctor, dentist or other healthcare professional.
And that's where Doctolib comes in.
For many English speakers, Doctolib can be a bit confusing at first — particularly when you're faced with French medical terms, different types of doctors and questions about which appointment you actually need.
The good news? Once you know how it works, it's surprisingly straightforward.
This guide explains how to use Doctolib in France, how to find English-speaking healthcare professionals, how to book an appointment and what to watch out for.
What is Doctolib?
Doctolib is an online healthcare appointment platform widely used in France.
You can use it to search for healthcare professionals and book appointments, including appointments with:
General practitioners (médecins généralistes)
Dentists (chirurgiens-dentistes)
Dermatologists
Gynaecologists
Physiotherapists
Ophthalmologists
Psychologists
Osteopaths
Many other specialists
Depending on the practitioner, you may also be able to book a video consultation.
Doctolib is available through its website and mobile app, and the platform now offers an English-language version for patients.
🌍 Can English Speakers Use Doctolib?
Yes.
This is one of the reasons Doctolib is particularly useful for English speakers living in France.
The platform is available in English, although you may still encounter French words and information depending on the healthcare professional's profile or the appointment you're booking.
Don't let that put you off.
You don't need to speak perfect French to use Doctolib.
In fact, learning a handful of useful French terms can make the whole process much easier.
Useful words to know
French | English |
Médecin généraliste | General practitioner / GP |
Spécialiste | Specialist |
Chirurgien-dentiste | Dentist |
Rendez-vous | Appointment |
Consultation | Consultation |
Première consultation | First appointment |
Nouveau patient | New patient |
Patient suivi | Existing/follow-up patient |
Langues parlées | Languages spoken |
Téléconsultation | Video consultation |
Disponibilité | Availability |
Annuler | Cancel |
Confirmer | Confirm |
🔎 How to Find a Doctor on Doctolib
The basic process is simple.
Step 1 – Go to Doctolib
Open the Doctolib website or app.
Step 2 – Choose what you need
Search for the type of healthcare professional you need.
For example:
Médecin généraliste
or
Dentiste
Step 3 – Enter your location
Add your town, postcode or another location near you.
This is particularly important in rural France, where the nearest available appointment may be some distance away.
Step 4 – Check the results
You'll be presented with healthcare professionals and their available appointments.
Look carefully at:
Location
Appointment type
Availability
Languages spoken
Whether they are accepting new patients
Whether the appointment is in person or online
Step 5 – Choose an appointment
Select a suitable date and time and follow the booking instructions.
Don't just choose the first available appointment without checking the details.
Make sure you've selected the right type of consultation and that the practitioner is suitable for your needs.
How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor
This is probably the most useful feature for many English-speaking residents and visitors.
When searching for a healthcare professional, look for the languages spoken information and, where available, use the relevant language filter.
If English is listed, the practitioner has indicated that they speak English.
However, don't assume that this means every member of the practice speaks English.
If speaking English is particularly important to you, it's worth checking the practitioner's profile carefully before booking.
Another option
You can also use the Biz Où? directory to look for English-speaking healthcare professionals and other English-speaking services in France.
That can save you some of the trial and error involved in searching through individual profiles.
📅 How to Choose the Right Appointment
This is where things can get slightly confusing.
A doctor may offer several different appointment types.
For example:
First consultation
You haven't seen this practitioner before.
Follow-up consultation
You're already a patient and are returning for ongoing care.
Video consultation
The consultation takes place remotely rather than at the surgery.
Always read the appointment description before confirming.
If you're unsure, don't be afraid to contact the practice directly.
💻 Can You Have a Video Consultation?
Yes — some healthcare professionals offer teleconsultations through Doctolib.
If a practitioner offers video appointments, you'll be able to select the appropriate consultation type when booking.
Doctolib says video consultations can be accessed from a computer, tablet or smartphone, and documents can also be shared through the platform.
This can be particularly useful if:
You live in a rural area
Getting to the surgery is difficult
You need a follow-up appointment
You need certain prescriptions or advice
You are travelling within France
However, not every medical issue is suitable for a video consultation.
If you're unsure, contact the healthcare professional.
📱 What Can You Do Through Doctolib?
Doctolib isn't simply a booking system.
Depending on the healthcare professional and service, you can also use the platform to manage aspects of your healthcare.
This can include:
Booking appointments
Managing upcoming appointments
Receiving reminders
Accessing documents
Sharing documents with healthcare professionals
Taking part in video consultations
Doctolib's current information confirms that patients can upload documents before an appointment and receive documents from practitioners afterwards.
💶 What About the Cost?
This is where it's important not to assume that every appointment costs the same.
Healthcare fees in France can vary depending on the practitioner and the type of consultation.
You may see terms such as:
Secteur 1
Generally refers to practitioners charging the regulated national tariff.
Secteur 2
Practitioners may charge additional fees, within the applicable rules.
You may also see information about reimbursement and whether the appointment is eligible for reimbursement through the French healthcare system.
If you're unsure about the cost, check before confirming the appointment.
For anyone living in France, understanding how the Carte Vitale, Assurance Maladie and mutuelle work is also important.
⚠️ Don't Assume the First Appointment You Find Is the Best One
One of the easiest mistakes to make is simply choosing the first available slot.
Before booking, check:
✔ Is the practitioner accepting new patients?
✔ Do they speak English?
✔ Is the appointment in person or online?
✔ Is the location convenient?
✔ Have you selected the correct type of appointment?
✔ Do you understand the likely cost?
A little checking beforehand can save a lot of frustration afterwards.
🗓️ What If You Can't Find an Appointment?
This is a common frustration, particularly when looking for a GP or certain specialists.
Don't necessarily give up after checking one practitioner.
Try:
A wider search area
Look at nearby towns rather than only your own village.
Different practitioners
There may be several professionals offering the same service.
Different appointment dates
Availability can change regularly.
Video consultations
If appropriate, this may give you more options.
Other healthcare professionals
Depending on your needs, another type of practitioner may be appropriate.
And remember — Doctolib is a booking platform, not the entire French healthcare system.
🚨 Doctolib Is NOT an Emergency Service
This is important.
Do not use Doctolib for a medical emergency.
If you need urgent medical assistance in France, call the appropriate emergency service.
15 – SAMU
For urgent medical emergencies.
112 – European emergency number
This can be used for emergencies and will direct you to the appropriate service.
116 117
For out-of-hours medical care / doctors on duty where available.
Official French government information lists 15, 112 and 116 117 among the relevant emergency and medical-care numbers.
If someone is seriously ill or injured, don't wait for a Doctolib appointment.
💡 Our Top Tips for English Speakers
1. Save your Doctolib login
You'll probably use it again.
2. Learn a few French medical terms
You don't need to become fluent. Knowing the basics can make navigating French healthcare much easier.
3. Check the language spoken
Don't assume every healthcare professional speaks English.
4. Check the appointment type
First appointment, follow-up and video consultations can be different.
5. Look beyond your immediate village
Particularly if you live in rural France.
6. Check the location
A practitioner may technically be nearby but still be a long drive away.
7. Keep your appointment details
Doctolib can help you keep track of appointments and related documents.
8. Don't use Doctolib for emergencies
If it's urgent, use the appropriate emergency service.
Finding Your Way Around Healthcare in France
Doctolib is incredibly useful, but it's only one piece of the puzzle.
If you're living in France, you'll probably also need to understand:
The French healthcare system
Your Carte Vitale
Assurance Maladie
Mutuelle
Finding a médecin traitant
Prescriptions
Dentists and specialists
Emergency healthcare
Finding English-speaking professionals
That's why we've created practical guides to help English speakers navigate life in France without having to decipher everything on their own.
🩺 Need an English-Speaking Professional?
If you're looking for more than just information, Biz Où? can help you find English-speaking businesses and professionals across France.
Search the Biz Où? directory to find services that can make life in France a little easier.
📍 Where in France Are You?
Healthcare isn't the only thing that can be different when you move to France.
Your local area matters.
That's why Biz Où? is building practical information about French departments, regions, places to visit and everyday life.
Discover your part of France
This link takes you to an interactive map where you can click on your department and be taken to more information about where you are.
You might discover a new place to visit, a useful local service or simply something you didn't know about the area around you.
More Useful Guides for English Speakers
If you're finding your way around France, you may also find these useful:
Understand the basics of healthcare, Carte Vitale, Assurance Maladie and mutuelle.
A plain-English look at some of the paperwork and administration you'll encounter.
Practical information for getting established in your new life.
Things to understand before buying French property.
Practical considerations for those planning their next chapter in France.
❤️ A Final Word
For English speakers, finding your way around healthcare in France can feel complicated at first.
Doctolib makes one important part of the process — finding and booking healthcare appointments — considerably easier.
Once you've used it a couple of times, it becomes much less intimidating.
But don't stop there.
The real trick to settling into life in France is knowing where to find reliable information and where to find the people who can help.
That's what Biz Où? is here for.
Useful information. English-speaking services. Discovering life in France.
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