Safety and Emergencies in Germany for American Residents

Germany is an orderly country to live in, and most Americans there deal with bureaucracy far more often than with danger. Still, every resident should know the emergency numbers, which US consulate covers their state, and what the embassy can and cannot do. Setting this up takes an hour and is much easier before you need it.

The US Embassy in Germany currently displays a Level 2 advisory for the country, "Exercise Increased Caution". The State Department also maintains a worldwide caution for Americans everywhere. Level 2 is the same level many Western European countries carry and reflects the risk of terrorism in public places rather than everyday crime.

The two numbers to memorise

• 110: police. Berlin Police describe 110 as the free emergency number to call whenever you are in danger or need urgent help. For non-urgent matters, such as reporting a stolen bicycle, police forces offer online reporting and service phone lines. In Berlin the online service is the Internetwache, and the service phone line is (030) 4664-4664.
• 112: fire and ambulance. The US Embassy advises dialling 112 for life or death emergencies needing immediate medical assistance. 112 is also the common emergency number across the EU, so it works when you travel to neighbouring countries.

Both numbers are free from any phone, including mobiles without credit. Calls are answered in German first, but dispatchers in larger cities often handle English. Know your address and the nearest cross street, and say clearly whether you need police, fire or an ambulance.

Save the numbers in your phone under "Germany Police 110" and "Germany Ambulance Fire 112" so visiting family can find them.

Your US consulate depends on your state

The US Mission in Germany splits consular work between Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. Each has a 24-hour line for emergencies involving US citizens:

• Berlin, (030) 8305-0. Covers Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.
• Frankfurt, (069) 7535-0. Covers Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
• Munich, (089) 2888-0. Covers Bavaria.

From the United States, dial 011 49 and drop the leading zero, for example 011 49 30 8305 0 for Berlin.

The embassy stresses that routine services, such as passport renewals, reports of birth abroad and notarials, are not emergencies and are handled during business hours by appointment. The emergency lines are for situations such as an arrest, death, serious injury or a missing person.

Enroll in STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) lets the embassy send you security alerts and reach you in a crisis. Residents should enroll with their German address and keep it updated after each move. Alerts cover demonstrations, strikes that affect transport, severe weather and security incidents.

If you are a victim of crime

Report the crime to the German police first. You need a police report for insurance claims and to replace stolen documents. Then contact the consular section that covers your state.

According to the US Mission, consular staff can:

• Help replace a lost or stolen passport
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are injured
• Help you contact family or friends and explain how money can be transferred
• Help you find shelter, food or clothing
• Provide information about victim assistance resources in your US state if you return

They cannot investigate crimes, give legal advice or represent you in court, serve as official interpreters, pay legal or medical fees, or ask for preferential treatment for US citizens in German proceedings.

The embassy points to Weißer Ring, a German relief organization for crime victims, which runs a hotline at 116 006.

Where a child may be at risk, the embassy explains that the first step without immediate danger is the local youth welfare office (Jugendamt), which can involve the family court. In immediate danger, call 110.

If your passport is lost or stolen

Report the loss to the police and keep the report. Then use the passport navigator on the US Mission's passport page, which guides you to an appointment at the right embassy or consulate. Routine passport processing in Germany takes four to six weeks. If you must travel within the next two weeks, the navigator explains how to request an emergency passport, which has limited validity and has to be replaced later with a full passport.

Your German residence permit card is separate from the passport. If both were stolen, tell the foreigners authority as well, because the permit has to be reissued. Until then, carry the police report and a copy of the old permit when you deal with officials, and avoid leaving the Schengen area unless the authority confirms you can return.

Finding a doctor or lawyer

The US Mission publishes lists of doctors and medical services, and lists of English-speaking lawyers, for each consular district. The lists are not endorsements, and the embassy takes no responsibility for the quality of the services. They are still the fastest way to find an English-speaking provider when you are new.

For travel health topics, the embassy points to the CDC Travelers' Health pages.

Mental health and crisis support

The embassy's mental health page lists crisis resources. The US 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached from abroad; to dial a US toll-free number from Germany, the embassy explains you first dial 00. In German, TelefonSeelsorge offers crisis counselling by phone. In an acute emergency, call 112.

Everyday risks worth knowing

The practical risks for most residents are ordinary ones:

• Bicycle theft. Use a solid lock and lock to a fixed object. Keep the frame number and a photo for the police report.
• Pickpocketing. Crowded trains, Christmas markets and tourist sites are the usual places. Carry your passport only when you need it and use your residence permit card for ID where accepted.
• Cycling traffic. Bike lanes are part of the road system. Look before stepping onto a red-painted lane, and if you cycle, follow the same lights and signals as cars.
• Weather. Winter ice on pavements causes more injuries than most crimes. Good shoes matter.
• Scams aimed at newcomers. Fake rental listings asking for a deposit before a viewing, and paid offers of a registration address, are common. Never pay before you have seen a flat and signed a lease.

Keep copies and contacts

Store a scan of your passport, residence permit, health insurance card and Meldebestätigung in a secure cloud folder. Write your consulate's 24-hour number on a card in your wallet. If you have children, make sure they know 110 and 112 and your home address in German.

Common questions

What number do I call for an ambulance in Germany? Dial 112 for fire and ambulance. The US Embassy recommends 112 for any life or death medical emergency.

What is the police number in Germany? 110. It is free from any phone. Non-urgent reports can usually be made online or through a police service line.

Which US consulate covers me? It depends on your state. Munich covers Bavaria, Frankfurt covers the southwest and North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin covers the north and east.

Will the US Embassy pay my hospital bill or find me a lawyer? No. The embassy can help you find care and provides a list of lawyers, but it cannot pay fees, give legal advice or represent you.