Germany Non-Urgent Medical Number: 116117

Non-Urgent Medical Emergency Service in Germany — Complete Guide

When traveling to Germany or living there as an expat, knowing the correct non-urgent medical number in Germany is critical for emergency preparedness. The official emergency contact line for non-urgent medical services in Germany is 116117, which is operated and monitored by Bundesministerium des Innern. 116117 is the nationwide number for non-urgent medical assistance. Connects to the on-call doctor service (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst). Not for emergencies.

How to Dial 116117 in Germany

To reach the Non-Urgent Medical On-Call Service in Germany, dial 116117 from any local fixed line, cellular phone, or public payphone. Dialing from mobile devices is fully supported across local mobile operators and international roaming SIM cards. A SIM card is typically required by mobile operators in Germany. If you lack a SIM card, dial the universal emergency number 112. Calls to this emergency service are 100% free of charge — no prepaid airtime credit or active subscription plan is required.

Calling from International Roaming or Abroad

If you are within Germany using an international roaming SIM card, you can dial 116117 directly without any country code prefix. If you need to contact emergency dispatch in Germany from an international location, the country calling code is +49.

Language & Communication with Dispatchers

Emergency operators in Germany communicate primarily in de. If you do not speak de, remain calm and state your language immediately (e.g. "English, please"). Most national dispatch centers have access to telephonic interpretation services or English-speaking officers to ensure rapid dispatch.

What to Expect When You Dial 116117

When you call the non-urgent medical number in Germany, you will be connected to a trained dispatcher at Bundesministerium des Innern. These operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When connected, clearly state:

• Your exact location (city, neighborhood, landmark, or GPS coordinates)
• The nature of the emergency (non-urgent medical assistance)
• Number of individuals involved or needing immediate medical/police/fire assistance
• Your contact number for callback if disconnected

All Emergency Numbers in Germany

Please note that Germany utilizes dedicated emergency lines for different agencies. Besides the Non-Urgent Medical (116117), the following emergency services can also be reached directly: Police (Polizei) (110), Emergency Medical Service (Rettungsdienst) (112), Fire Brigade (Feuerwehr) (112), Poison Control Centers (Giftnotruf) (varies by region), Non-Urgent Medical On-Call Service (116117). Additionally, the universal emergency contact number 112 is active across Germany and will redirect calls to the appropriate local agency.

Official Regulatory & Government Source

The emergency number 116117 is verified against official directories published by Bundesministerium des Innern. Last verified on 2026-01. If you notice any outdated information or changed hotline details, please contact our editorial team so we can update the platform for traveler safety.