Police procedures
Reports · Safety · Criminal prosecution
The police are responsible for criminal prosecution, averting danger and public safety. Criminal complaints (Strafanzeige) can be filed at any police station or online via the Online-Wache (online police station) of your federal state (Bundesland) — free of charge and around the clock.
In an emergency: 110 (police) or 112 (ambulance/fire brigade). The Online-Wache exists in all 16 federal states, but its scope differs from state to state. For offences involving threats or violence and for traffic accidents, the police explicitly advise against it: report these in person or via the emergency number.
Last updated
27 August 2026
Competent authority
State police / Federal Police (depending on the offence)
Verification
Checked by AmtsDeutschland.de
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information website: We are not the police, not an authority and not a fee-based advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent body's decision is always binding. All information is provided without guarantee.
We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.