Do you need a doctor urgently? Have you lost your wallet or had your mobile phone stolen? Or are you just looking for a nice swimming pool? Look no further - we have listed all the main telephone numbers along with some basic information.
In case of life-threatening illnesses or accidents call the emergency rescue service of the fire department: emergency telephone number 112
You can also call the ambulance service of the Cologne hospitals (Kölner Krankenhäuser) (German only) at any time in an emergency.
Duty doctor and ophthalmologist:
Tel. 01805 / 044 100 (12 cents per minute)
Weekdays: from 19:00 hrs. to 07:00 hrs. the following day
Wednesdays: from 13:00 hrs. to 07:00 hrs. on Thursday
Fridays: from 13:00 hrs. and then the whole weekend until 07:00 hrs. on Monday morning
Duty dentist:
Tel. 01805 / 986 700
To search online for a doctor's surgery visit the website of the North Rhine association of statutory health insurance physicians at Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Nordrhein (German only).
To search online for a dentist visit the website of the North Rhine chamber of dentists at Zahnärztekammer Nordrhein (German only).
To search online for pharmacies in Cologne and for the out-of-hours pharmacy service, visit the website of the North Rhine chamber of pharmacists at Apothekerkammer-Nordrhein (German only). Any medicines urgently required outside the shop opening times are supplied by the pharmacies on duty around the clock. You can find out which pharmacies are on duty from one of the following sources:
- Ring the emergency hotline on 01805 / 938888
- Visit the "Apothekerkammer-Nordrhein" website and
see the emergency service information under
"Notdienstplan"
- Read the duty roster notice displayed in the window
of any pharmacy
- Read the notices in the daily press, e.g. the "Kölner
Stadtanzeiger"; Kölnische Rundschau" and other
newspapers.
If you have lost your identity papers or important documents, we have summarised the information you need so that you can organise a replacement as soon as possible:
Reporting a theft or lost property
If you have lost your identity papers or important documents, e.g. driving licence, passport, identity card, please find the nearest police station and report the theft or loss.
Telephone hotline to cancel or block debit cards, credit cards, mobile phones, etc.:
In Germany there is one number to block debit and credit cards, mobile phones, digital signatures, health insurance cards, employee ID badges and store cards!
The number to call is 116 116 The lines are manned 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and calls are free of charge within Germany.
Lost property office
Your wallet or mobile phone may have been handed in at the municipal lost property office. However, it generally takes up to 14 days for an item to be handed in at the lost property office. The items of lost property are kept for six months. For further information please contact the
lost property office (städtisches Fundbüro) (German only).
For detailed information on the services provided by Cologne city council (Stadtverwaltung Köln) and on the required documents, and to download specific documents please visit:
www.stadt-koeln.de (public services Bürger-Service), Information in German only.
The Consulate General of Italy
The Honorary Consulate of Nepal
WFor further information on diplomatic representations visit the website of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt)
There are plenty of automatic cash dispensers in the centre of Cologne. You can withdraw cash from these machines at any time with the standard bank cards and credit cards.
Do you want to change money?
No problem at the following branches of the "Reisebank" currency exchange bank in Cologne:
- Main railway station (Hauptbahnhof)
Daily from 07:00 to 22:00 hrs
- Cologne Bonn Airport (Flughafen Köln/Bonn), Terminal 1
Daily from 07:00 to 20:00 hrs
Details of current exchange rates and further information can be obtained over the telephone on 0221 / 2003-2004 or from the Reisebank website.
There are several public toilet blocks around the city, some of them with disabled access and facilities. The public conveniences in the city centre are listed below together with their opening times:
- Cathedral (south side):
Daily, from 08:00 to 21:00 hrs
Location on map
- Friesenplatz:
Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 20:00 hrs
Saturdays, 10:00 to 20:00 hrs
Sundays, 10:00 to 18:00 hrs
Location on map
- Neumarkt:
Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 21:00 hrs
Saturdays, 09:00 to 21:00 hrs
Sundays, 10:00 to 20:00 hrs
Location on map
- Interchange concourse for train/suburban railway (S-Bahn) at Deutz station
im Stadtplan
Further toilets which are suitable for wheelchair users:
- An der Rechtschule (advertising pillar)
Stand-alone toilet unit, open around the clock
Location on map
- Brüderstraße (advertising pillar)
Stand-alone toilet unit, open around the clock
Location on map
- Frankenwerft (Stapelhaus)
Open from 10:00 to 20:00 hrs.
Location on map
There are advertising columns with integrated toilet at the following locations in the city centre:
Barbarossaplatz, Deutzer Freiheit, Hohe Pforte, Machabäerstraße and Rudolfplatz. Please note, however, that these units do not have wheelchair access.
All visitors are kindly requested to keep our city clean and tidy. Fines are now imposed on people who pollute the environment, discard litter or urinate in public. More information on fines for people who litter the environment can be found on the city council website (Stadt Köln) under:
Rote Karte für Umweltsünder German only.
It is not always easy to find a parking space in Cologne, especially in the city centre. Always check that you are leaving your vehicle in a legitimate parking space and check whether you need to buy a parking ticket!
It is even possible to buy a parking ticket with a mobile phone these days. This service is available from any mobile telephone and on any network. For more information on buying a parking ticket by mobile phone visit Handy-Parken in Köln German only.
If your car has been towed away visit ... Abgeschleppt? German only.
A dip in the water is the perfect tonic on hot days, but not all water is safe for bathing. For information about the lakes which are suitable for swimming visit
Bade- und Baggerseen German only.
The emergency rescue service
