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Berlin Court Bars Doctolib From Showing Private Slots to Statutory Patients

The non-final ruling, triggered by a consumer lawsuit, fuels demands for binding standards on appointment platforms.

Overview

  • The Landgericht Berlin held that Doctolib’s “only statutory insurance” filter was misleading because it still displayed self-pay and private consultations.
  • Judges said a warning shown late in the booking process does not remedy the initial deceptive presentation of results.
  • The court issued an injunction and ordered payment of €350 in warning costs, citing case number 52 O 149/25.
  • Doctolib has appealed, asserting its search reflects patients’ lawful option to self-pay and is clearly flagged with multiple notices.
  • The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband welcomed the decision and called for clear labeling and binding minimum standards for commercial appointment portals.