What is 116117 in Germany? A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
The phone number 116117 is one of the most important numbers in the German healthcare system. It connects you to the out-of-hours medical service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst), which provides urgent medical care outside regular office hours of doctors’ practices. This service is intended for situations where a patient needs prompt medical attention, but the condition is not severe enough to justify calling the emergency number 112.
In this detailed article, we explain what 116117 is, how it works, who can use it, in which situations it is appropriate and what has changed up to the year 2025.
116117 is a nationwide number anyone in Germany can call to receive medical help when:
Medical care is needed
but regular GP or specialist practices (Hausarzt/Facharzt) are closed.
There is an urgent medical problem,
but it is not a life-threatening emergency that requires calling 112.
The number is operated by the out-of-hours medical service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst), which coordinates on-call doctors in the region or federal state outside regular working hours.
112:
Reserved for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
suspected heart attack or stroke
severe accidents and major injuries
heavy bleeding
fires or other acute life-threatening situations
116117:
Intended for urgent but less critical medical problems that:
cannot wait until the next regular practice hours,
but do not require an ambulance or intensive emergency care.
Examples:
high fever at night
strong but not life-threatening pain
urgent questions about an essential prescription or worsening symptoms
When you dial 116117:
you are connected to a call centre, where staff or an automated system answers your call,
you will be asked a series of questions about your condition, for example:
What symptoms do you have?
Since when?
Do you have a fever?
Are you able to wait, or does it feel very urgent?
The goal is a first triage, to decide whether you:
only need telephone advice,
should be seen in an out-of-hours practice or hospital,
or require a home visit from an on-call doctor.
For minor or moderate problems, you may receive immediate medical advice by phone,
for example guidance on self-care measures or correct medication use.
If a doctor’s examination is necessary,
the service can arrange an appointment at a nearby out-of-hours practice or tell you which emergency department to visit.
If you are physically unable to attend a practice – for example due to severe mobility problems, frailty or other limitations –
116117 can organise a home visit by an on-call doctor in your area.
If, during the call, the staff recognise that your condition could be life-threatening,
they will advise you to call 112 immediately,
or coordinate with emergency services to ensure you receive urgent care.
Essentially everyone who is currently in Germany, including:
people with statutory health insurance (gesetzlich)
people with private insurance (privat)
German citizens and foreign nationals
tourists and people staying temporarily in Germany
The service covers both children and adults, for example:
children with high fever at night
adults with sudden severe joint or back pain
older people with acute but not immediately life-threatening complaints
Common reasons to call 116117 include:
Severe cold or flu-like symptoms:
high fever, marked feeling of illness, sore throat or coughing, without obvious signs of a life-threatening situation.
Acute gastrointestinal problems:
severe diarrhoea, repeated vomiting or stomach pain that should be clarified urgently,
but without immediate signs of shock, unconsciousness or similar life-threatening complications.
Severe toothache at night:
the service can tell you which emergency dental practice is on duty.
Increasing back or joint pain:
especially when the pain worsens and cannot reasonably wait until the next scheduled appointment.
Important:
In suspected heart attack, stroke, severe breathing difficulties, major bleeding or other life-threatening conditions,
➡️ call 112 immediately.
In several federal states, apps and online platforms now allow patients to book appointments with on-call doctors electronically.
In some regions, electronic prescriptions (E-Rezept) can be issued,
enabling patients to collect medication at 24-hour or on-duty pharmacies without long delays.
In pilot regions, 116117 is connected to the electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA).
With the patient’s consent, the doctor can access:
current medication,
known allergies,
previous diagnoses,
which allows for faster and more precise diagnosis and treatment.
Due to the rising demand for out-of-hours care, medical associations have strengthened cooperation with the 116117 service.
In many areas, more doctors from different specialties are involved – including general practitioners, paediatricians and, in some places, dentists.
One of the main aims of 116117 is to relieve hospital emergency departments,
so they can focus on truly life-threatening emergencies.
By triaging less urgent cases, 116117 helps direct patients to more appropriate care settings.
Patients do not have to wait until the next working day.
Instead, they receive timely medical attention in the evening, at night or on weekends.
If you are travelling within Germany or visiting another city as a tourist,
116117 can quickly guide you to the nearest out-of-hours practice or emergency facility.
Have the following details ready:
your name,
your address or exact location,
a contact phone number,
a brief description of your symptoms:
since when,
how intense,
any additional signs such as fever, shortness of breath or pain.
Dial 116117 from any landline or mobile phone.
The call is generally free of charge.
You will be asked questions to assess the urgency of your condition, for example:
How do you feel right now?
Are you able to walk or move on your own?
Do you have any chronic conditions or known risk factors?
You will either receive immediate medical advice
or be referred to a suitable facility (out-of-hours practice, emergency department).
If necessary, a home visit may be arranged.
If you are advised to visit a doctor or practice, take your health insurance card and any relevant medical documents (e.g. medication list, medical reports).
Follow the instructions you receive about aftercare or follow-up appointments with your regular doctor.
Yes. The 116117 service can inform you about emergency dental services on duty in your area.
Depending on regional structures, emergency dentists may be integrated into the on-call system.
For people with statutory health insurance, home visits by on-call doctors are usually covered by their insurance.
For those with private insurance, conditions can vary. It is advisable to check the policy details or contact the insurer.
Call 112 immediately in situations such as:
suspected heart attack or stroke
severe breathing difficulties
major bleeding or large injuries
severe burns or loss of consciousness
If you are unsure, it is safer to call 112 rather than risk dangerous delays.
Calls are mostly handled in German.
In larger cities, it is often possible to communicate in English as well.
If you do not speak German, try to have someone with you who can help translate.
The number 116117 is a key element of out-of-hours medical care in Germany. It offers quick access to doctors during evenings, nights and weekends when regular practices are closed, for urgent but non-life-threatening medical issues.
With the digital improvements and better integration into the healthcare system up to 2025, the service has become even more efficient. It is essential to clearly distinguish between:
112 – for life-threatening emergencies
116117 – for urgent care needs that cannot wait, but are not immediately life-threatening
If you live in Germany or are visiting, it is wise to save 116117 in your phone. Knowing how to use this number helps you make the right decision in critical moments, receive appropriate care quickly and avoid unnecessary pressure on hospital emergency departments.
* The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat the information in this article as an initial guide and always contact the relevant authorities and official bodies for binding and up-to-date information.
