This page details how and when to get hold of the emergency services in Germany. Whether you urgently need the fire service, police or an ambulance, this is how you get hold of the assistance you need

When faced with an emergency in a new, foreign land, it pays to be prepared. While locals are usually well versed in what to do in an emergency, newcomers to Germany may well be unaware of the best action to take in different life-threatening scenarios, whether criminal or medical.

Thankfully, Germany has extensive emergency services and, on average, you will be connected with the relevant responder within 9 seconds of calling.

Call 110 for police assistance in Germany

If you are witness to or the subject of a serious crime, assault or life-threatening situation in Germany, then you should call the police on 110. You will be automatically connected to the closest police station.

Call 112 for urgent medical assistance in Germany

If you need urgent medical treatment in Germany, then call 112. This is the quickest route for getting medical assistance in the event of serious illness such as a heart attack, stroke or respiratory problems.

Call 112 for the fire service in Germany

In the event of a fire, you should immediately call the fire service on 112. In Germany, this is recommended no matter the size of the fire.

What to say when calling the emergency services in Germany

Emergencies often lead to panic, confusion and misunderstanding. Keeping a level head and being able to communicate clearly with an emergency phone operator can really help the emergency services respond in the most effective way possible. Here are some general guidelines when calling emergency numbers in Germany:

• Provide details of who you are and how you can be contacted.

• Describe the emergency situation, including the exact location.

• Include details that may be useful for the emergency services, e.g. how many people are involved, how to access the building.

• Stay on the line until the operator ends the call.

While most emergency phone operators and emergency responders can speak English, it is worth learning some German phrases just in case you come up against a non-English speaker. As a minimum, I recommend learning how to say the following in German:

• Your name, address and contact number.

• The emergency service that you require: Feuerwehr (fire department), Polizei (police), Krankenwagen (ambulance services).

• The name of any allergies that you have.

• The German name for any medication that you take.

• The German name for any illnesses that you have.

While we hope that you never need to use these emergency numbers while living in Germany, this page has hopefully provided clear guidance on how to contact the emergency services. For further information about living in Germany, check out our other blog posts and free relocation resources.