A medical emergency in a country you just moved to is terrifying. In Germany, the system works — but only if you know which number to call and which door to walk into. Get it wrong and you might sit 4 hours in a Notaufnahme for a condition that a pharmacy could have solved in 5 minutes. Or worse, delay a real emergency by calling the wrong number.
TL;DR: Life-threatening → 112 (ambulance + fire). Urgent but not life-threatening after hours → 116 117 (on-call doctor). Minor issue → go to Hausarzt or Apotheke (pharmacy). Serious illness that needs same-day care but not an ambulance → walk in at Notaufnahme (ER). Save these numbers before you need them.
The decision tree
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, seizure, severe bleeding | Call 112 immediately |
| Serious injury but stable (broken bone, deep cut, high fever, can’t stand) | Go to Notaufnahme or call 112 if no transport |
| Moderate issue after hours or weekends (ear infection, migraine, stomach flu, minor injury) | Call 116 117 (Bereitschaftsdienst) |
| Minor issue during regular hours (cold, headache, mild symptoms) | Go to your Hausarzt |
| Need a prescription refill, simple advice, cold/flu, allergy | Ask at Apotheke |
| Life-threatening mental health crisis | 112 + Psychiatric Notaufnahme |
112 — the emergency number
- Works everywhere in Germany + EU.
- Free from any phone (landline, mobile, payphone) — even without a SIM card.
- Dispatches: ambulance, fire brigade, police.
- English is supported — first words should be “Do you speak English?”
- Dispatcher asks: Where? (address), What happened?, How many injured?, Are they conscious / breathing?
- Stay on the line until they say you can hang up.
116 117 — the after-hours doctor line
- National number for non-emergency but urgent medical issues.
- Available 24/7 but primarily used after Hausarzt hours (after 6 pm, weekends, public holidays).
- Connects you to the Kassenärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst (KBD) — the on-call doctor service.
- They can: advise by phone, refer you to an on-call doctor in your district, send a doctor to your home if needed.
- Supports English in most regions. Faster call-back if you can speak basic German.
Notaufnahme — when to walk in
Notaufnahme is the hospital emergency room. Walk in without an appointment. Bring:
- Insurance card (Versichertenkarte).
- Passport or residence permit.
- A list of current medications.
- Patience — wait times can be 2–6 hours for non-critical issues because triage prioritizes the sickest patients.
For severe problems that can’t wait but aren’t life-threatening — deep cuts, suspected fractures, severe migraines, high fevers in infants, persistent vomiting — Notaufnahme is the right choice.
Your Hausarzt — your primary door
- Your registered GP.
- Same-day appointments for acute issues.
- Refers you to specialists and Notaufnahme when needed.
- Provides Krankmeldung (sick note) for work.
- Register with one in your first 2 months in Germany — don’t wait until you’re sick.
Apotheke — more powerful than you think
German pharmacies (Apotheke) are staffed by licensed pharmacists who can:
- Recommend OTC medications for common issues (colds, allergies, heartburn, minor wounds).
- Advise on drug interactions.
- Fill prescriptions.
- Administer some vaccinations (flu).
- Point you to the 24-hour rotating pharmacy (Apothekennotdienst).
For minor issues, an Apotheke consultation is free, fast, and competent. No appointment needed.
Apothekennotdienst — the 24-hour rotation
At any given hour, one pharmacy per district is open. Find the current one by:
- Google “Apothekennotdienst [your city]”.
- Call 22 8 33 from any mobile (small fee).
- Check the posted notice outside any Apotheke.
Children’s emergencies
- Serious: 112.
- Urgent after-hours: 116 117 — they can route to pediatric on-call doctors.
- Kinderklinik Notaufnahme — many cities have dedicated children’s ER (Charité, LMU, UKE).
- Always: have your child’s pediatrician’s direct number saved.
Mental health emergencies
- Life-threatening (suicidal, self-harm): 112.
- Emotional crisis, English support: Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222.
- Walk-in: Psychiatric Notaufnahme at any large hospital — no referral, no appointment needed.
- Youth: Nummer gegen Kummer 116 111.
Dental emergencies
- Severe pain, trauma, broken tooth, infection with fever.
- Weekends / holidays: Zahnärztlicher Notdienst — call 116 117 or Google “Zahnärztlicher Notdienst [city]”.
- Large hospitals (Charité, LMU, UKE) have 24-hour dental emergency units.
What insurance covers in emergencies
- All emergency care is covered by public insurance — even if you’re not yet registered with a Hausarzt.
- €10/day hospital fee (max 28 days/year) for adults.
- Ambulance is free for medically necessary transport.
- Private insurance: check policy — some require pre-approval for non-emergency hospitalization.
- Travel visitors (parents on Schengen): they should carry travel health insurance. Public hospitals treat emergencies but will bill visitors if uninsured.
Red flags — when to skip everything and just call 112
- Chest pain or pressure, pain radiating to arm or jaw.
- Sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, drooping face (stroke FAST test).
- Severe breathing difficulty.
- Uncontrolled bleeding.
- Unconsciousness, seizure.
- Anaphylactic reaction (severe allergic reaction, swelling of face/throat).
- Severe abdominal pain with vomiting or fever.
- Suspected drug overdose or poisoning.
- Major trauma (fall, car accident, head injury).
What to save in your phone today
- 112 (emergency).
- 116 117 (on-call doctor).
- Your Hausarzt’s direct number.
- Your children’s pediatrician.
- Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111.
- Your insurer’s 24-hour hotline (on the back of your insurance card).
- Indian Embassy Berlin emergency line for passport/visa emergencies.
📋 Free: First 90 Days in Germany — Complete Checklist
Every task in order. Print it, use it, share it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emergency number in Germany?
112 for life-threatening emergencies (ambulance, fire). Works from any phone including mobile, landline, or payphone, without a SIM card. English is supported — ask ‘Do you speak English?’ first.
What is the difference between 112 and 116117?
112 is for life-threatening emergencies — ambulance dispatch. 116117 is for urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues after Hausarzt hours. 116117 connects you to on-call doctors who can advise, see you in a clinic, or come to your home.
Can I go to a hospital in Germany without an appointment?
Yes, to the Notaufnahme (ER). Bring your insurance card and ID. Wait times can be 2–6 hours for non-critical cases because triage prioritizes serious patients.
Do pharmacies in Germany help with medical advice?
Yes. German Apotheke staff are licensed pharmacists who can recommend OTC treatments, advise on medication interactions, and handle minor issues like colds, allergies, and minor wounds. No appointment needed.
Is emergency medical care free in Germany?
For public insurance holders: yes, with a €10/day hospital co-pay (max 28 days/year). Ambulance transport is free if medically necessary. Private insurance varies — check your policy. Uninsured visitors are billed.
How do I find a 24-hour pharmacy in Germany?
Apothekennotdienst — one pharmacy per district is open overnight on a rotation. Google ‘Apothekennotdienst [your city]’, call 22833 from mobile, or check the notice posted outside any local Apotheke.
What do I do in a mental health emergency in Germany?
For life-threatening crises: call 112 or go to a Psychiatric Notaufnahme at any large hospital — no appointment or referral needed. For emotional crisis: Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111. The system accepts walk-ins 24/7.
