Short Answer
The number 116 117 connects you to the medical on-call service for urgent care when regular clinics are closed.
You should use this service for non-life-threatening symptoms like a high fever to avoid a lectures from emergency dispatchers.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You called 112 because your child had a 39-degree fever at 2:00 am and you panicked. The dispatcher told you, "This is for life-threats only," and refused to send help, leaving you to find an open pharmacy in the dark. You spent €60 on an emergency taxi to a distant "Notdienst" clinic and lost a night of sleep because you didn't use the correct non-emergency hotline.
What To Do
- Call 116 117 from any phone to speak with a medical professional who can locate the nearest duty doctor.
- Ask for a "Hausbesuch" (home visit) if your fever makes it physically impossible for you to travel.
- "Ich habe hohes Fieber und brauche ärztliche Hilfe." (I have a high fever and need medical help.) Say this to the 116 117 operator to initiate a triage assessment.
The Truth
Germany maintains a rigid divide between life-saving services and urgent care. Calling the wrong number often results in a refusal of service and a significant waste of your own time and money.