When to call 112 versus 116117?

Two numbers, two clear missions

112 is the pan-European emergency number for life-threatening situations. In Berlin it activates the Berlin Fire Department rescue service, ambulance with paramedics, plus an emergency-physician car when needed. Typical arrival time across the city: 8 to 15 minutes. You dial 112 whenever you fear a person could die or sustain lasting harm within minutes, unconsciousness, severe chest pain radiating into arm or jaw, sudden shortness of breath, sudden paralysis or speech disturbance, seizure longer than 5 minutes, severe uncontrolled bleeding, major burns, poisoning, anaphylactic shock, suicidal intent. The dispatcher asks structured questions and walks you through first aid on the phone.

116117 is the statutory on-call medical service run by the regional KVs, the bridge between practice closure and the next working day. You call 116117 when symptoms cannot wait but are not life-threatening and your GP is closed. Examples: fever above 39 °C, acute respiratory infection, urinary tract infection with pain, migraine, gastroenteritis, acute back pain, earache in children. Wait times in Berlin are typically long (4 to 8 hours for a house call), but care is free for GKV patients.

The rule of thumb in seconds: if you need to ask 'is this an emergency?' it is, call 112. If you are sure there is no life-threat but need medical help today, call 116117 (GKV) or book a private house call (faster, but at your own expense). Both numbers are free from any network. An 'unnecessary' 112 call has no negative consequences for you, the dispatcher decides professionally and may redirect you to 116117. Better one extra 112 call than one missed.

Example: chest pain vs. gastroenteritis

Two Saturday-evening calls in Berlin. Caller A: her mother has sudden chest pain with sweating and shortness of breath, that is 112. The emergency car arrives in 11 minutes, ECG shows a heart attack, she goes straight to the Charité cath lab. Caller B: his child has been vomiting for three hours, tired but afebrile and responsive, that is 116117. The dispatcher gives hydration advice, sends a contracted physician later if needed. Whoever called 116117 in case A would have lost 30 to 60 minutes, critical minutes for a heart attack.

The decision matrix

• 112 for: unconsciousness, severe chest pain, breathing failure, paralysis, seizure, severe bleeding, poisoning, suicidal intent, major trauma.
• 116117 for: high fever, respiratory infection, UTI, migraine, gastroenteritis, back pain, earache, outside practice hours.
• 112 arrival in Berlin: typically 8 – 15 minutes.
• 116117 house call in Berlin: often 4 – 8 hours wait.
• 112 is always free and 24/7, no insurance card required.
• 116117 free for GKV patients; private patients may pay out of pocket.
• When unsure: dial 112, the dispatcher routes you to 116117 if appropriate or gives phone advice.
• Private house call is a third option for PKV patients or self-payers, faster than 116117, self-financed.