When things go wrong in Germany: who to call and what to do
If something goes wrong in Germany, the number that matters most is 112 for life-threatening emergencies — free, 24/7, from any phone. For everything else, from lost passports to a bad flu on a Sunday, there's a specific number or office to call, and knowing which one saves time and stress.
What number do I call in an emergency?
Dial 112 for police, fire, or ambulance if the situation is life-threatening or risks permanent damage. It's free from landlines, mobiles, or emergency phones, available 24/7. Calls to 112 from anywhere in the EU are automatically routed to national emergency services, so it works the same way if you're just passing through. For text-based help, the NORA app (free, available nationwide since Autumn 2021) lets you communicate with local emergency services by text — useful if you can't safely make a voice call.
What if it's urgent but not life-threatening?
For medical problems that are urgent but not emergencies — especially outside normal practice hours (nights, weekends, holidays) — call 116 117. It's staffed by medically trained employees who assess urgency and will forward your call to emergency services if needed. Both statutory and privately insured patients can use it. From outside Germany, dial 0049 116 117. Poison control centers are also reachable 24 hours a day, though specific regional numbers weren't listed here — if in doubt, call 112 or 116 117 first.
For mental health crises, Telefonseelsorge is reachable at 116 123, with an online chat option at online.telefonseelsorge.de. It can be accessed from abroad using a German SIM or internet telephony.
I've lost my passport — what now?
Report the loss immediately to the nearest police station and get a statement of loss/theft — this document is required for a replacement. Note that English interpreters aren't always available at short notice, so it helps to bring a German speaker if possible.
For a temporary passport or emergency travel document, go to a German diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate general, or consulate). You'll need: the original police report, two passport photos (45×35 mm), and proof of identity/nationality (ID card or a copy of the lost passport). As of June 2022, a temporary passport cost EUR 39.00 and a document for direct return to Germany cost EUR 8.00 — check current fees with the embassy, as these may have changed.
German citizens needing urgent help outside office hours can call the Federal Foreign Office's on-call service in Berlin: +49 (0)30 220 720. Outside normal hours, leave a message — it's monitored regularly by the Duty Officer. Note: embassy on-call numbers vary by country, and this Berlin number is only for genuine, unavoidable emergencies.
Lost your driver's license? German diplomatic missions abroad can't issue or replace one — you must contact the Führerscheinstelle (driver's license office) in your last German place of residence.
FAQ
Is 112 free everywhere in Germany? Yes, it's free from any landline, mobile, or emergency phone, 24/7.
Can tourists use 116 117? Yes — it covers both statutory and privately insured patients for non-emergency medical issues outside normal hours.
What if I need urgent embassy help at night? The Berlin on-call line (+49 (0)30 220 720) takes messages outside office hours; a Duty Officer monitors them, but it's meant only for genuine emergencies.
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