What are German emergency numbers and when to call them
The main emergency numbers in Germany are 112 and 110.
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Call 112 for fire, medical emergencies, and ambulance services. This includes life-threatening illnesses, accidents, serious injuries, fire and smoke incidents, someone trapped or unconscious, suffocation, or witnessing a suicide attempt. It is the general emergency number for urgent medical and fire-related help.
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Call 110 for police emergencies, such as crimes, assaults, attempted theft, or other situations requiring immediate police assistance.
Both numbers are free of charge, can be dialed from any phone including locked phones, and operators usually speak English as well. When calling, give clear information about the incident, your location, and follow the operator’s instructions without hanging up until told to do so.
Additional non-urgent medical help can be reached via 116117 for after-hours doctor services, and there are other specialized hotlines for poison control, psychological help, and more.
Summary table:
| Emergency Number | Service | When to Call |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Fire brigade & ambulance | Fire, accidents, severe injuries, medical emergencies, life-threatening events |
| 110 | Police | Crime, assault, theft, situations requiring police |
| 116117 | Medical on-call service | Non-urgent medical issues outside regular doctor hours |
You should call these emergency numbers when there is an urgent situation requiring immediate help to preserve life or prevent serious harm. Do not use emergency numbers for non-urgent inquiries or prank calls. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12