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🚑 Civil courage and helping in an emergency

Helping in accidents is a duty, as far as reasonable. You do not have to put yourself in danger.

duty to render assistance § 323c StGB emergency call civil courage failure to render assistance first aid

In brief

If there is an accident, danger or emergency, you must help if it is necessary and reasonable. This is set out in § 323c StGB.

You do not have to put yourself in considerable danger. Call the emergency number, that is often help already (110 police, 112 rescue).

Anyone who prevents or obstructs help can also be committing a criminal offence. Victims of crime can find further help in the crime victims module of this Wegweiser.

Step by step

  1. Check your own safetyDo not put yourself in considerable danger.
  2. Call the emergency number112 for injured people, 110 for crimes.
  3. Help in whatever way you canFirst aid, attention, approaching witnesses.
  4. Give a statementAs a witness, tell the police what you saw.

Deadlines

up to 1 year's imprisonment or a fine
Range of penalties for failure to render assistance and for obstructing help.§ 323c StGB
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The help must be necessary and reasonable.
  • No considerable danger to yourself and no breach of other important duties.
  • Obstructing people who are helping is equally punishable.
  • If you were a victim yourself: see the crime victims module.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

§ 323c StGB

Under § 323c para. 1 StGB, anyone who fails to render assistance in an accident or common danger or emergency, although this is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances, in particular without considerable danger to themselves and without breaching other important duties, commits an offence. The same penalty applies to anyone who obstructs a person who is helping or wants to help a third party (para. 2). Range of penalties: imprisonment of up to one year or a fine.

Insurance for helpers

According to the DGUV, people who help are covered by statutory accident insurance, free of charge; the costs are borne by the states and municipalities. In cases of damage to property or personal injury, get advice in the individual case.

Who is responsible
  • Emergency number 112 (rescue), 110 (police)
  • Crime victims module of this Wegweiser
  • DGUV or Unfallkasse (insurance questions)
Further reading
Volunteering and civic engagement: flat-rate allowances, accident insuranceFreedom of expression, online hate, reporting centres

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Civil courage and helping in an emergency“?
Helping in accidents is a duty, as far as reasonable. You do not have to put yourself in danger.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
up to 1 year's imprisonment or a fine: Range of penalties for failure to render assistance and for obstructing help. (§ 323c StGB)
What should I do first?
  • Check your own safety: Do not put yourself in considerable danger.
  • Call the emergency number: 112 for injured people, 110 for crimes.
  • Help in whatever way you can: First aid, attention, approaching witnesses.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The help must be necessary and reasonable.
  • No considerable danger to yourself and no breach of other important duties.
  • Obstructing people who are helping is equally punishable.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, § 323c StGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • DGUV, Hilfeleistende, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetze im Internet, SGB VII (search result), retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.