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.
When to call 112
112 is the number for situations where rapid emergency response may be needed to save a life, prevent serious harm, or control a dangerous incident. In Germany, it connects to fire brigade and ambulance dispatch.
Typical reasons to call 112 include:
- chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing problems, or sudden collapse
- major accidents, head injuries, heavy bleeding, or broken bones with severe pain or deformity
- house fires, smoke in a building, or a gas leak with immediate danger
- someone who is unconscious, not breathing normally, or trapped
- drowning, electric shock, suffocation, or other life-threatening incidents
- witnessing a suicide attempt or a person in immediate danger
A useful rule is simple: if the situation could worsen quickly without professional help, 112 is the right number.
When to call 110
110 is the police emergency number. It is used for crimes in progress and situations where immediate police action is needed.
Typical reasons to call 110 include:
- robbery, assault, or threats of violence
- burglary, attempted theft, or someone breaking into a vehicle or home
- domestic violence or an ongoing confrontation
- stalking, harassment, or dangerous public disturbances
- traffic incidents that require police control, such as a hit-and-run or a dangerous driver
- situations where a suspect is still nearby and immediate action matters
For crimes that are not happening right now and do not require urgent intervention, the local police non-emergency contact is usually more appropriate.
What to say when calling an emergency number
German emergency calls are usually handled quickly, so the most important skill is giving the right information in a clear order. A short, structured message works better than a long explanation.
A practical sequence is:
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State the emergency briefly.
- “There is a fire.”
- “A person has collapsed.”
- “Someone has been attacked.”
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Give the exact location.
- street name and house number
- floor, apartment number, entrance, or landmark if relevant
- city or district
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Explain what is happening now.
- whether the person is breathing
- whether there is smoke, blood, or danger from traffic
- whether the suspect is still present
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Answer the operator’s questions.
- number of injured people
- age or condition if known
- access details for ambulances or fire crews
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Do not hang up early.
- Stay on the line until the operator ends the call or tells the caller to leave the area.
A caller does not need perfect German. Emergency operators are trained to extract the key facts, and many can communicate in English. In fast-moving situations, simple phrases are usually enough: “Fire,” “ambulance,” “police,” “address,” “unconscious,” “breathing,” “bleeding.”
116117 and other non-emergency hotlines
Not every urgent-seeming medical problem belongs on 112. Germany also uses 116117 for the medical on-call service, often called the ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst. This is for problems that need medical attention outside regular office hours but are not immediately life-threatening.
Examples include:
- fever or infection symptoms that are worrying but stable
- a painful condition that is not an emergency
- a prescription issue when a doctor’s office is closed
- advice on where to go for treatment when the situation is unclear
Other specialized hotlines exist for poison cases, mental health support, and region-specific medical advice. When the situation is uncertain, the basic decision point is whether immediate danger is present. If yes, call 112. If not, 116117 or another specialized service is usually more appropriate.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few mistakes come up repeatedly in real emergencies:
- Using 112 for routine questions. Emergency lines must stay open for urgent incidents.
- Calling 110 for medical problems. Police dispatch is not a substitute for an ambulance.
- Assuming a locked phone cannot call. In Germany, emergency numbers can be dialed even when the device is locked.
- Panicking and giving too little location information. The address is often the most important detail.
- Ending the call too early. The operator may need a callback number or more instructions.
- Waiting because of language insecurity. Even basic words and a rough location are better than silence.
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 |
Quick German phrases that help in an emergency
A few short phrases can make an emergency call easier to understand:
- Es brennt. — There is a fire.
- Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen. — I need an ambulance.
- Die Person ist bewusstlos. — The person is unconscious.
- Die Person atmet nicht. — The person is not breathing.
- Es gibt einen Unfall. — There has been an accident.
- Die Polizei bitte. — The police, please.
- Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch. — I do not speak German well.
- Die Adresse ist… — The address is…
For learners, these phrases are worth knowing as fixed chunks, not as isolated vocabulary. In high-stress situations, memorized whole expressions are easier to produce than individual words assembled on the spot.
When emergency numbers should not be used
Emergency numbers are for immediate danger, not for administrative help, general advice, or minor problems that can wait. They should not be used for:
- asking about public services
- requesting opening hours or office addresses
- reporting minor issues with no immediate danger
- prank calls or testing the system
Using the correct number matters because every unnecessary call can delay help for someone who needs it urgently.
FAQ
Are 112 and 110 free in Germany?
Yes. Both numbers are free to call.
Can emergency numbers be called without a SIM card?
Yes. Emergency calls can generally be made from any phone, including a phone without an active SIM card, as long as there is network access.
Is English usually understood on emergency calls?
Yes, English is commonly understood by emergency operators, though speaking slowly and using simple words helps.
What if the situation is not clearly an emergency?
If there is immediate danger to life or serious injury, call 112. If police action is urgently needed, call 110. If the problem is medical but not life-threatening and it is outside regular office hours, 116117 is the usual alternative.