Sudden illness or injury is always stressful. And in a foreign country, where everything is unfamiliar, it can turn into real panic. Who to call? Where to go? What to say? Calm down! Germany has a very clear and reliable emergency care system. The main thing is to know which “tool” to use for your situation. This guide is your clear action plan in a critical moment.
Situation 1: Life Threatening. Call 112 (Rettungsdienst)
Remember these three digits. 112 is the single number to call for ambulance, fire brigade, and police in emergency, life-threatening situations. It is free and works from any phone.
When to call 112?
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Symptoms of a heart attack (severe chest pain radiating to the arm, jaw)
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Symptoms of a stroke (sudden weakness, facial paralysis, slurred speech)
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Loss of consciousness or severe breathing difficulties
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Serious injuries after a traffic accident, fall from a height
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Severe bleeding that does not stop
What to tell the dispatcher? The “Five Ws” Rule
Your task is to clearly and calmly answer 5 questions:
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Wo? (Where?) - State the city, street, house number, floor, surname on the call.
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Was? (What?) - Briefly describe what happened (e.g., “person unconscious”, “severe chest pain”).
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Wie viele? (How many?) - How many injured?
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Welche? (Which?) - What injuries or symptoms do you see?
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Warten! (Wait!) - Do not hang up! The dispatcher may ask clarifying questions or provide instructions on first aid.
Don’t be afraid of a “false” call! If you had good reason to believe the situation was life-threatening, no one will charge you, even if the alarm turns out to be unfounded.
Situation 2: Urgent, but not life-threatening. Call 116 117 (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst)
This number is your main helper when your family doctor (Hausarzt) is no longer working: at night, on weekends, and holidays.
When to call 116 117?
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High fever, flu, severe cold
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Acute abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
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Bladder infection
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Migraine attack, back pain
Simply put, this is for all conditions you would go to your doctor for, but cannot wait until the next working day. The operator will tell you the address of the nearest on-call practice (Bereitschaftspraxis) where you will need to go yourself, or, if you are unable, will send an on-call doctor to your home.
Situation 3: You can get there yourself. Go to the Emergency Room (Notaufnahme)
Notaufnahme is the emergency room in a hospital (Krankenhaus). You should go here if the situation is serious, but you can move on your own or with the help of loved ones.
When to go to Notaufnahme?
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Suspected bone fracture
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Deep cut requiring stitches
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Concussion after a head injury
Important: Be prepared to wait! The emergency room operates on a “triage” system – patients are sorted by severity. A person with chest pain will be seen immediately, while a patient with a suspected finger fracture may wait for several hours. Don’t forget to bring your insurance card (eGK) and passport.
Final Checklist: Where to Go?
| Symptom/Situation | Your Action | German Service Name |
|---|---|---|
| Heart attack, stroke, loss of consciousness, serious traffic accident | ☎️ Call 112 | Rettungsdienst |
| High fever on Saturday, severe flu at night | ☎️ Call 116 117 | Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst |
| You twisted your ankle and cannot stand on it, but are conscious | 🚗 Go to Notaufnahme | Notaufnahme im Krankenhaus |
| Acute toothache on Sunday | 🔍 Search “Zahnärztlicher Notdienst + your city” | On-call Dentist |
| Need to buy medicine urgently at night | 🔍 Search on aponet.de | Notdienst-Apotheke |
Save this information on your phone. Knowing these simple rules will give you confidence and help maintain your health and that of your loved ones in any critical situation.