Emergency numbers in Germany, with Berlin contacts

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: 112 - fire brigade and emergency medical services (Feuerwehr, Rettungsdienst)

   Call 112 for fires, serious accidents and any life-threatening medical emergency: unconsciousness, severe breathing problems, chest pain, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding, severe burns, serious injuries. 112 is the emergency number throughout the EU.

   If you cannot speak, people with hearing or speech impairments can use the free nora emergency app, available nationwide. In Berlin, an emergency fax form is also accepted at 110 and 112.

2. 2

   Step 2: 110 - police (Polizei)

   Call 110 if you or someone else is in danger, for crimes in progress, violence, or serious traffic accidents with injured people (the police and 112 coordinate). Misusing emergency numbers is a criminal offence.

   For non-urgent matters in Berlin, for example reporting a stolen bicycle or online fraud after the fact, use the Berlin police online station (Internetwache) at internetwache-polizei-berlin.de, which also offers an English interface.

3. 3

   Step 3: 116117 - medical on-call service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst)

   For illnesses that cannot wait until the next practice opening hours but are not life-threatening, for example a high fever, an infection or severe pain at the weekend. The call is free from German landlines and mobile phones, without an area code, 24 hours a day. Staff assess your symptoms and tell you which on-call practice (Bereitschaftspraxis) is open, or send a doctor to your home if you cannot leave. If they detect an emergency, they pass you on to the rescue service.

   Find open on-call practices online at bereitschaftspraxen.116117.de. The service is available whether you have statutory or private insurance. 116117 does not cover dental problems.

4. 4

   Step 4: Poison control (Giftnotruf) - (030) 19240

   The poison information centre of the Charité in Berlin answers questions about poisoning by medicines, chemicals, plants, mushrooms or household products, 24 hours a day. Have the product or packaging at hand when you call. If the person is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or is having seizures, call 112 first.

5. 5

   Step 5: Crisis and listening lines

   • TelefonSeelsorge: 0800 111 0 111, 0800 111 0 222 or 116 123, free and anonymous, day and night, also by chat and email. The service is in German; its website lists helplines abroad for other languages.
   • Berliner Krisendienst (Berlin crisis service) for acute psychological crises: free, anonymous on request, 24 hours by phone, with nine regional locations. See the Berlin section below and the guide on mental health support in Berlin.
   • Nummer gegen Kummer for children and young people: 116 111, Monday to Saturday 14:00 to 20:00.
6. 6

   Step 6: Violence against women helpline (Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen) - 116 016

   Free, anonymous and confidential, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for women affected by violence and for relatives, friends and professionals. Counselling is available in 18 languages and in sign language, and online.

7. 7

   Step 7: Blocking bank cards (Sperr-Notruf) - 116 116

   If your bank card or credit card is lost or stolen, call 116 116 to block it. The central blocking line works around the clock and is free from German landlines; it also covers other electronic cards and access media of participating providers. Report the theft to the police as well.

8. 8

   Step 8: Berlin local numbers

   From the Berlin police list of emergency services and the services' own websites:

   • Medical on-call service: 116117
   • Dental emergency service, announcement of dentists on duty: (030) 89004-333
   • Poison control (Charité): (030) 19240
   • Berliner Krisendienst: regional numbers (030) 390 63 10 to (030) 390 63 90 by district, for example 390 63 10 for Mitte and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and 390 63 90 for Neukölln. Locations are open in person daily 16:00 to 24:00; outside these hours calls are passed to the citywide on-call service in Mitte.
   • Drug emergency service (Drogennotdienst): (030) 19237
   • Central midwife call (Zentraler Hebammenruf, Berliner Hebammenverband): (030) 2142771
   • Non-emergency patient transport (Krankentransport, German Red Cross Berlin): (030) 19727
   • Veterinary emergency announcement (Tierärztekammer Berlin): (030) 83229000
   • Pharmacies on emergency duty: see the Apothekerkammer Berlin or the guide on pharmacies and prescriptions.
   • Social-psychiatric services of the districts, weekdays 8:00 to 16:00, via the Berlin public service number 115.

What to say when you call 112 or 110

Emergency department or on-call practice

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Calling 116117 for a heart attack or stroke instead of 112.
• Giving an address without the house number, floor or courtyard building, which delays help in large Berlin apartment blocks.
• Going to the emergency department with a minor illness at the weekend instead of an on-call practice.

Tips

• Write your full address, including floor and building part, on a note by the door or in your phone so visitors can read it out in an emergency.
• Learn the German words *Notfall* (emergency), *Krankenwagen* (ambulance), *Feuer* (fire) and *Hilfe* (help).
• Install the nora emergency app if you have a hearing or speech impairment or cannot speak during a call.
• Keep your health insurance card with you; hospitals and on-call practices ask for it.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Save the emergency and on-call numbersAdd to plan
• Report to the arrival centre and get independent counsellingAdd to plan
• Find a family doctor before you need oneAdd to plan
• Know where to find mental health supportAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 2 Feb 2027.