Who pays for outpatient addiction counselling?
Who pays for outpatient addiction counselling cannot be answered in one sentence for the whole of Germany. Counselling services are run by different providers, and their funding differs by service and region. For you as someone seeking advice, what matters most is whether the particular service charges anything. At DigiSucht, counselling is free of charge for you. For other services, clarify this question before the first appointment.
Who runs the services
Many counselling services are run by independent providers, such as welfare associations, while others belong to cities or districts. You can see who stands behind a service in the legal notice on its website, or you can find out by phone. How much money comes from which source depends on the particular service. The best way to find out is to ask there. None of the sources used here gives a uniform nationwide breakdown.
What the DHS reports on funding
In 2026, the German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) surveyed for the second time how addiction counselling services are funded. In 76.9 percent of the responses, funding is not cost-covering or not yet finally settled, and only 12.7 percent assume secure funding. At the same time, according to the DHS, demand for counselling and the complexity of cases are rising while specialists are in short supply. The DHS reports shortened opening and consultation hours and the closure of individual services, and it calls for reliable, adequate funding.
For you, this means that offers and consultation hours can differ from one service to another. It is therefore worth comparing several services if the first contact does not suit you.
Costs for people seeking advice
According to the platform, counselling at DigiSucht is completely free of charge for you, and the Federal Drug Commissioner also describes it as free and anonymous. Whether you have to pay anything at a local service or another offer depends on that service and cannot be stated across the board. So ask explicitly about costs before the first appointment and note the answer briefly.
- Ask whether costs arise for the first conversation or for follow-up appointments.
- Find out whether services can be covered through a health insurance fund or a pension insurance provider.
- Clarify whether groups or materials involve additional costs.
Counselling and treatment
Counselling and treatment are two different things. If you are considering inpatient treatment or rehabilitation, separate rules on covering costs apply. The counselling service or your health insurance fund can clarify who is responsible in your case. This guide does not assess that in individual cases. The article What does inpatient rehabilitation for cannabis cost? explains the differences.
What you can do if you have a question about costs
If you are unsure, the service can explain how its offer is funded and whether anything applies to you. Your health insurance fund can also give information, particularly for services prescribed by a doctor. Write down what you asked and what you were told. Money worries are a question you are allowed to raise in counselling.
Differences between local services
Offers differ in focus, accessibility and how appointments are allocated. Some services have fixed consultation hours, while others work with reservation lists. Whether relatives can be included in counselling can also be arranged differently. The article What does a psychosocial addiction counselling service (PSB) do? shows how a typical service works.
A comparison is worthwhile. The DHS addiction help directory shows services within your radius. Look at the offers on the websites and check which service fits your concern. The article Where can I find an addiction counselling service for cannabis? helps with the search.
If the service does not give a clear answer
Sometimes the funding of a service is hard to see through. In that case, ask the service for a short email or letter with the key points, particularly on costs. Then you will know exactly what was agreed later on. This helps especially if you have several appointments or follow-up costs are likely.
What you can do now
- Find two or three counselling services near you.
- Call and ask about costs, appointments and offers.
- Note the answers and compare them calmly.
- Choose the service that fits your concern and your circumstances.
Further information can be found in the section Help and counselling.
Frequently asked questions
Does addiction counselling for cannabis cost anything?
It depends on the service. According to the platform, counselling at DigiSucht is free of charge. For other services, ask explicitly before the first appointment whether costs arise for you.
Who is responsible for funding addiction counselling?
This cannot be stated uniformly for the whole of Germany. Counselling services have different providers and funders. The DHS reports for 2026 that funding is not cost-covering or not finally settled for most respondents. The individual service knows how its funding is organised.
Will my health insurance fund cover addiction counselling?
The sources reviewed here give no general rule for this. Ask your health insurance fund or the counselling service which services are covered in your case and whether an application is needed.