About Germany

General Information about Germany

Learn more about the diverse country

Firstly, the capital of Germany is Berlin, which has a population of 3.57 million and is geographically 9 times as large as Paris.

Where is Germany located?

Germany lies in what is often called Central Europe, north of the Alps, south of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. It's east of France, and west of Poland.

What continent is Germany in?

Technically, Germany is a part of Europe. In fact, the country is the most influential member of the European Union (EU) and the Eurozone, and its most populous member as well.

How big is Germany?

Germany has a land area of 137,000 square miles.

What is the population of Germany?

As of 2018, there were 82.79 million German residents.

What time is it in Germany?

Germany uses Central European Summer Time (CST), which is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Incidentally, Germans were also the first people to adjust their clocks to Daylight Savings Time, making the switch in 1916.

Other important German facts:

• Highest Mountain: Zugspitze in the Bavarian Alps is 2,962 meters high.
• Largest Lake: Lake Constance (or the Bodensee) has an area of 207 square miles.
• Biggest City: Berlin is the largest German city, followed by Hamburg (1.81 million), and Munich (1.45 million). Frankfurt has around 750,000 inhabitants or 2.3 million in the wider urban area.
• Average Income: Salaries average 3,700 EUR per month (about 45,000 EUR per year).
• Life Expectancy: 80.64 years (2016).
• Literacy Rate: 99% of Germans can read and write.

4 Important Emergency Numbers in Germany

It is essential to know the correct number to call in an emergency. In Germany, there are several different emergency numbers that you can call, depending on the type of emergency you are experiencing.

Here is a list of the four most important emergency numbers in Germany:

1. German Police Helpline:

The German police (Polizei) phone is the number to call if you need to report a crime or require assistance from the police in emergencies. The number is 110, and it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also find contact information for the German police on their website.

You can submit your complaint online if you need to contact the German police for any non-urgent situations. The German police website has a form where you can submit your inquiry. The majority of German police officials speak English well.

Note: Download the Nora Emergency Call app from your Google Play or App Store on your mobile phone. This app allows you to connect with the official emergency services in any part of Germany.

2. Medical Emergency (Notfall):

The national medical emergency number (Notarzt) in Germany is 112. If you require urgent medical assistance, this is the number you need to contact. The medical emergency number during out-of-working hours is 116-117.

Note: To see a doctor or go to the hospital in Germany, you will need to have health insurance in Germany or hold an EHIC card (for emergencies). There are several different types of health insurance available in Germany. You can find more information on this on our health insurance page.

3. Fire Emergency (Feuerwehr)

The fire brigade in Germany is called the Feuerwehr. If there is a fire or other emergency, please call 112 for assistance. The Feuerwehr is responsible for fighting and rescuing people from fires,, as well as providing other emergency services related to fires.

What to do during an emergency

• Remain calm and stay safe
• Follow the instructions of the emergency personnel
• If possible, try to assist others who are in need
• Make sure to contact emergency services as soon as possible

What not to do during an emergency

• Don't panic
• Don't leave the scene of the emergency
• Don't try to deal with the situation on your own
• Don't ignore warnings or instructions from emergency personnel

4. Mental Healthcare Services Helpline

Germany has a comprehensive mental healthcare system available to all residents. And there are many different types of mental health services in the country. In addition, you can find a few helplines regarding mental health . The following is a list of some of the most critical mental health services in Germany:

The German Association for Mental Health (DGPM): 

The German Association for Mental Health (DGPM) is a national organization that provides information and support for people and their families with mental health problems. You can head to their page and find the contact information to reach out for help.

Deutsche Depressions Hilfe: 

The Deutsche Depressions Hilfe (German Depression Help) is a national non-profit organization. The organization provides support and resources for people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. 

You can visit their website or call the telephone number free of charge at 0800/33 44 533 (available Mon, Tue, and Thur from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and Wed and Fri from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm).

Headspace

The Headspace application is a fantastic program for assisting you in managing your mental health. The Headspace app is available for download in the Google Play and App Store. You can take mindful lessons to help you better manage your mental wellness.

When living in Germany, there are several important emergency numbers that you should know. If you need to call the police, fire department, or medical services, these are the numbers to remember. Please keep this information handy, so you can easily access it in case of an emergency.