How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Germany?
Last verified: 2025-01 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Police: 110. Ambulance & Fire: 112. Medical non-emergency: 116117. All EU emergency: 112.
2What You Need to Know
Germany uses the standard EU emergency number 112 for ambulance and fire services, and 110 for police. The 112 number also works across all EU countries. For non-emergency medical issues outside doctor's hours, call 116117 (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) — this is an on-call doctor service staffed by medical professionals who can give advice or arrange a house call. Most operators on these lines speak English, especially in major cities.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1112 is the universal emergency number across all EU countries — memorize it
- 2116117 is the non-emergency doctor line for when you need medical advice but it's not life-threatening
- 3110 is police-only; use 112 if you need police and don't remember 110
- 4Operator English is reliable in major cities; in rural areas, speak slowly and clearly
- 5Germany's ambulance system is excellent — response times in cities are typically under 10 minutes
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