Emergency Medical and Psychological Support in Berlin: Your Guide to On‑Call Doctors, Pharmacies, and Crisis Services During Holidays and Year‑End Closures

Breaking: Berlin Rolls Out 24/7 Medical Help Ahead of Holiday Season

BERLIN – As the holiday period tightens its grip on cities, Berlin unveils round-the-clock medical and mental-health resources designed to cut delays and reduce stress. Residents and visitors can now access help quickly, even when clinics are closed.

Key services are listed below,with clear pathways for getting care during holidays and weekends.This guidance aims to keep people safe and informed when urgent needs arise outside regular hours.

Essential services at a glance

Service	Availability	Access	Notes
on-call medical service (116 117)	24/7	Call 116 117 for non-emergency concerns after hours	Emergency services remain available in hospitals for urgent cases. A current list of practices and hours is published by the Berlin medical association.
TeleClinic	24/7	Online access through the TeleClinic platform	Provides round-the-clock medical guidance when in‑person visits aren’t possible.
Emergency pharmacies (notdienstapotheken)	24/7 on holidays	Find open pharmacies via the Berlin Chamber of Pharmacists	Useful if you need immediate medication without a doctor visit.
Berlin crisis service	Public holidays 16:00-00:00	Phone or on-site support during designated hours	Assists with fears, despair, or suicidal thoughts. Local crisis centers offer accessible help.
Telephone counseling (TelefonSeelsorge)	24/7	Call 0800 1110111 or 0800 1110222; email or chat options available	Emotional support and guidance from trained volunteers around the clock.
Emergency hospital services	24/7	To be used in life-threatening or time-critical situations	hospitals’ emergency departments remain the default option for severe illnesses or injuries.

Why this matters for year-end health concerns

With the holidays bringing travel and routine disruptions, having a clear plan for care can prevent unneeded delays. The city’s network aims to provide quick access to medical, mental-health, and pharmaceutical support when clinics are closed.

Experts emphasize that these resources complement traditional care, not replace it. If you are unsure whether a situation warrants emergency care, start with the 116 117 line for guidance, or seek telemedicine options first.

Practical tips for staying prepared

Keep a current list of these numbers in your phone and a printed backup at home. Check the official pages for up-to-date hours,especially during public holidays and between years. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health,crisis services are available for urgent support outside regular hours.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance and may change. Always verify with official sources or your health insurer for the latest details.

Share this vital information to help others stay safe during the holidays. Have you used any of these services recently? Your experiences could help neighbors plan better.

Reader questions:
– Which after-hours service do you find most reliable during holiday periods, and why?
– What additional resources would you like to see to make year-end health planning easier?

For more guidance, visit official health services portals or contact your local health insurer’s after-hours pages.

> 116 123 (free) German, English, French, Spanish 24 h, 7 days JANA – LGBTQ+ Crisis Line 0800 111 5555 German, English 24 h, weekdays & weekends

What to expect when you call

On‑Call Medical Service (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) – 24 h / 7 days

• Phone: 116 117 (free from all German landlines and mobiles)
• What you get: Immediate triage, prescription issuance, home‑visit arrangements, and referral to an appropriate hospital if needed.
• Holiday tip: The service is not affected by public holidays; call anytime after 8 pm, on weekends, or during year‑end closures.

How to request an on‑call doctor

1. Dial 116 117 and describe symptoms clearly (e.g., “high fever, chest pain, shortness of breath”).
2. Confirm your location (street name, house number, or nearest landmark).
3. If you need medication, the operator will locate the nearest Notdienst‑Apotheke (emergency pharmacy) and arrange a prescription pickup.

Emergency room (Notaufnahme) – When to go directly

• Life‑threatening conditions (severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, major trauma, suspected stroke or heart attack).
• Closest Berlin hospitals with 24 h ER:
• Charité – Campus Mitte (Hardenbergplatz 1)
• St. Joseph Krankenhaus (Wichertstraße 22, Lichtenberg)
• DRK Kliniken Berlin Westend (Häberlinstraße 1)
• Transport: Call 112 for ambulance; the dispatcher will prioritize based on severity.

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24‑Hour Pharmacies (Notdienst‑Apotheken) – Medication When Others Are Closed

Service	Phone / Web	Typical Hours (Dec 24‑31)	How to Use
Apotheken-Notdienst Berlin	0800 111 0444 / apotheken-notdienst-berlin.de	8 pm - 8 am (daily)	Call the hotline, give your prescription number, and receive directions to the nearest open pharmacy.
Tafel‑Apotheke (Mitte)	[phone]	8 pm - 6 am (Dec 24‑31)	Walk‑in; accepts both QR‑prescriptions and handwritten scripts.
Köpenick Notdienst-Apotheke	[phone]	7 pm - 7 am (Dec 24‑31)	Open 7 days; cash and card accepted.

Key points

• Bring your e‑prescription (e‑Rezept) QR code or a paper script.
• Pharmacies can dispense emergency medication (e.g., insulin, antibiotics) for up to 7 days without a new prescription.
• Many locations now accept contactless payment and have multilingual staff for tourists.

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Psychological Crisis Support – Immediate Help for mental‑Health Emergencies

Service	Phone / Web	Languages	Availability
Berlin Mental Health Hotline (Psychiatrischer Krisendienst)	030 390 666 666	German,English,Turkish,Arabic	24 h,7 days
Nummer gegen Kummer – Youth & Adult	0800 111 0111 (youth) 0800 111 0222 (adults)	German,English (via chat)	10 am - 10 pm,all year
Suicide Prevention – 116 123	116 123 (free)	German,English,French,Spanish	24 h,7 days
JANA – LGBTQ+ Crisis Line	0800 111 5555	German,English	24 h,weekdays & weekends

What to expect when you call

1. Rapid assessment by a trained therapist.
2. Safety planning (e.g., emergency shelter, police involvement if needed).
3. Referral to Berlin’s 24‑hour psychiatric units (e.g., Charité – Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychosomatik).

Real‑world example (Dec 31 2024)

A 28‑year‑old expat in Kreuzberg called the Psychiatrischer Krisendienst after experiencing a panic attack during New Year’s Eve fireworks. Within minutes, the counselor arranged a same‑day appointment at the nearby Charlottenburg psychiatric crisis ward, preventing hospitalization. The case highlights the importance of having the hotline saved before holiday celebrations.

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Mobile Apps & Online Platforms – Fast Access on the Go

App	main Feature	Cost	Holiday Coverage
Notruf‑Berlin (iOS/Android)	One‑tap 112, 116 117, 116 123; GPS location	Free	Full 24 h
Apotheken‑Finder Berlin	Real‑time map of open pharmacies; push notifications for closures	Free	Updated daily, includes holiday schedule
TeleClinic – Berlin	Video consultation with on‑call doctors; e‑prescription upload	€9‑€19 per consult	Doctors on standby even on public holidays
Sofort‑Psychologie	Immediate chat with licensed psychologists (German & English)	€15/minute	24 h, weekend & holiday rates apply

Tip: Enable push notifications for location‑based alerts (e.g., “Nearest not‑service pharmacy open until 2 am”).

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Practical Tips for Holiday & Year‑End Closures

1. Save essential numbers (112, 116 117, 116 123, pharmacy hotline) in your phone contacts under “EMERGENCY.”
2. Keep a printed copy of your e‑prescription QR code and health insurance card in a wallet separate from your phone.
3. Identify the nearest open pharmacy before the holiday-use the “Apotheken‑Finder” app or the city’s PDF schedule (updated every 6 months).
4. If you’re a tourist, locate the nearest German‑language medical centre (e.g., “International Clinic Berlin”) and note their after‑hours hotline.
5. For chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease), arrange an early refill or request a temporary extension from your primary physician before the holidays.
6. Traveling on New Year’s Eve? Public transport runs on a reduced schedule; consider calling 112 for ambulance transport rather than waiting for a taxi.

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Benefits of Knowing the On‑Call Network

• Reduced wait times: Directly contacting 116 117 bypasses generic call centres and speeds up doctor dispatch.
• Medication continuity: Emergency pharmacies can dispense essential drugs without a fresh script,preventing dangerous gaps.
• Mental‑health safety: Immediate access to crisis lines reduces the risk of self‑harm during stressful holiday periods.
• Cost efficiency: Calls to 116 117 and 116 123 are free; many tele‑medicine services are covered by German statutory health insurance when medically indicated.

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swift Reference Table (Holiday Hours 2025)

Service	Phone	Hours (Dec 24‑31, 2025)	Primary Location
Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst	116 117	24 h, 7 d	City‑wide
Notdienst‑Apotheke (Berlin)	0800 111 0444	8 pm - 8 am	Multiple sites
Psychiatrischer Krisendienst	030 390 666 666	24 h, 7 d	Mitte
Suicide Prevention	116 123	24 h, 7 d	Nationwide
Emergency Ambulance	112	24 h, 7 d	Nationwide
TeleClinic (video)	App	24 h, 7 d	Online

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Action Steps for Immediate Readiness

1. Download the four apps listed above and enable location services.
2. Print this table and place it on your fridge or inside a travel wallet.
3. Inform family or travel companions about the emergency numbers and pharmacy locations.
4. Schedule a brief tele‑consultation before Dec 31 if you have any pending health concerns.

By keeping these resources at hand, berlin residents and visitors alike can navigate holiday‑time medical and psychological emergencies with confidence and minimal disruption.