Out-of-hours medical service 116117: help outside surgery hours

In short: When doctors’ practices are closed and symptoms cannot wait until the next working day, the out-of-hours medical service (ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) can help. It can be reached throughout Germany on the free number 116117.

In more detail: The service is intended for illnesses that are urgent but not life-threatening. If there is danger to life, the ambulance service via 112 is always the right choice.

In detail

• What it is for: Typical reasons include high fever, severe pain or an infection that is getting worse when your own practice is closed at night, at the weekend or on public holidays.
• Who runs it: The service is organised by the Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen), the regional bodies of doctors approved to treat people with statutory insurance.
• What happens on the phone: Trained staff ask about your symptoms and tell you which help is suitable, such as a nearby out-of-hours practice or, in certain cases, a home visit.
• Out-of-hours practices: Many regions have permanent out-of-hours practices, often located at hospitals; you can find addresses and opening times via 116117 or the service’s official website.
• Not for life-threatening situations: For shortness of breath, chest pain, signs of a stroke, serious accidents or unconsciousness, call 112 immediately.
• A second role: The 116117 number also connects you to the appointment service centres, which help to arrange doctors’ appointments.
• Bring your health card: Take your insurance card to the out-of-hours practice and, if available, a list of your medicines and important previous illnesses.
• Pharmacies and dentists: Pharmacies have their own emergency rota, displayed at every pharmacy, and there is a separate emergency dental service for tooth problems.
• Relieving A&E: Choosing the right route often gets you help more quickly and keeps hospital emergency departments free for real emergencies (hausarzt-und-ueberweisung, notruf-richtig-absetzen).