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.