Short Answer
The 116 117 service directs you to "Notfallpraxis" clinics that handle urgent issues when regular doctors are closed.
This number acts as the bridge between your GP and the emergency room for non-life-threatening illnesses.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You developed a high fever on a Saturday night and drove straight to the hospital ER because your clinic was closed. You sat in a waiting room for nine hours and eventually drove to a private clinic out of desperation, paying €150 out of pocket for a basic consultation. You lost a full night of sleep and €150 because you didn't call the on-call service to find the local duty doctor.
What To Do
- Call 116 117 immediately if you fall ill on a weekend, public holiday, or after 6:00 PM.
- Download the "116117.de" app to locate the nearest "Bereitschaftsdienst" (on-call) surgery.
- "Wo ist die nächste geöffnete Notfallpraxis?" (Where is the nearest open emergency practice?) Ask this to find a doctor who can see you within the hour.
The Truth
The system is designed to keep minor illnesses out of hospitals. Using the ER for a sore throat is a guaranteed way to wait the longest and pay the most.