💡 112 is Germany's single emergency number (fire, ambulance). You say where, what happened, how many injured; wait for the dispatcher's questions and don't hang up first.
💡 Useful words: bewusstlos (unconscious), atmet nicht (not breathing), Herzinfarkt (heart attack), Krankenwagen (ambulance), Notarzt (emergency doctor).
💡 A witness to an accident phones 112, states the place and the number of injured, stays on site and does not hang up until the dispatcher says so.
💡 If you dial the emergency number by mistake don't hang up silently: say that everything is all right so that help isn't sent in vain.
💡 If a child has swallowed something dangerous, phone the Giftnotruf (poison information centre) of your region or 112; give the child's age, what it was and how much; do not induce vomiting without advice.
💡 If you smell gas: do not switch on lights, do not use the doorbell or open flames, open windows, leave the building and phone 112 from outside.
💡 In case of a break-in phone 110 (police); don't touch anything until they arrive so you don't destroy traces; then you file a report (Anzeige).
💡 To file a report (Anzeige erstatten) bring ID; you state what happened, when, where and what is missing; the report is usually signed.
💡 In a check calmly show the Führerschein (driving licence) and Fahrzeugschein (vehicle papers); be polite and follow instructions.
💡 If your bike is stolen, file a report (Anzeige) with the police: you need the confirmation for the insurance; keep the frame number (Rahmennummer) together with the receipt.
💡 Lost items are taken by the city's Fundbüro (lost property office); you can also report online; you describe the item, colour and place.
💡 To block a card phone 116 116 (Sperr-Notruf) or the bank; blocking is free and immediate; afterwards you file a report with the police.
💡 Loss of a passport (Reisepass) is first reported to the police and to your consulate; a foreigner in Germany needs a new document through their country's representation.
💡 If your phone is stolen, block the SIM card with your provider straight away, change your passwords and report it to the police; you can usually keep your number on a new card.
💡 After a minor accident people exchange details (name, address, plate, insurer), take photos and fill in an Unfallbericht (report); in case of doubt the police are called.
💡 Useful words: Krankenwagen (ambulance), Erste Hilfe (first aid), Verbandskasten (first-aid kit in the car), ruhig bleiben (stay calm).
💡 After a minor accident exchange names, addresses and insurance details (Haftpflichtversicherung is liability insurance); if there are injuries or a dispute, call the police.
💡 Real police never ask you to hand over money or valuables. Hang up, don't give PIN codes or card details, and then phone 110.
💡 In case of fraud block your card, keep emails and screenshots, file a report (Anzeige) with the police or online; the sooner, the better your chance of getting money back.
💡 A bank never asks for your PIN, TAN or password in a message or on the phone; if you get a suspicious message, do not open the link but phone the bank at the number on your card.