Notaufnahme — Emergency Cases

Which number to call?

112 — Emergency Call (Ambulance Service)

Call when:
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Serious accident
- Suspected stroke/heart attack
- Severe bleeding

What to say:
- Where? (address)
- What happened?
- How many people?
- What injuries?
- Wait for questions!

116 117 — Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst (On-Call Doctor Service)

Call when:
- You need a doctor in the evening/weekend
- It's urgent but not life-threatening
- E.g., high fever, severe pain, infection

They will:
- Provide phone advice
- Direct you to an on-call clinic (Bereitschaftspraxis)
- Send a doctor to your home (Hausbesuch)

Notaufnahme (Emergency Room)

Go yourself when:
- Fractures, dislocations
- Deep wounds
- Severe abdominal pain
- High fever in children

DON'T go to ER when:
- Cold
- Headache
- Problems that can wait until morning

How much does it cost?

With insurance (GKV):
- Emergency 112: €0
- ER: €0
- Ambulance transport: €10 (max 28 days/year)

How long do you wait at the ER?

Triage system — most critical patients first.

Minor injury = you might wait for hours!

Emergency Vocabulary:

Editorial hamboorg.city · As of: April 2026 · Carefully prepared, regularly updated. Content is informational and does not replace legal advice.