Electricity & gas
DE
Electricity & gas · Germany
Checked 2026-11-03

🔥 I smell gas in Germany. What do I do?

The short answer

Act immediately. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off and do not use a lighter. Open windows, leave the building and call the gas emergency number from outside.

📜 The rules in Germany

Gas leak

No single national gas number. If you smell gas, leave the building at once, avoid sparks and open flames, and call your gas grid operator's 24-hour fault line from a safe place. Your gas grid operator's name is on your gas meter and in your contract documents; a few large network operators are listed below.

🚨 112
Official source: nbb-netzgesellschaft.de · Checked 2026-11-03

🪜 Step by step

  1. Make no sparksNo light switches, doorbells, lighters or plugs.
  2. Air and get outOpen doors and windows, close the gas valve if you can reach it safely, and leave. Warn the neighbours.
  3. Call from outsideCall the gas emergency number below. If someone is unwell or there is fire, call 112.
  4. Wait for the technicianDo not go back in until the technician says it is safe.

📇 Who to contact

NBB Netzgesellschaft Berlin-BrandenburgGas emergency lineIf you smell gas: get out first, then call from outside📞 030 7872-72🔗 www.nbb-netzgesellschaft.de/services/entstoerungsdienst
Gasnetz Hamburg (Hamburger Energienetze)Gas emergency lineIf you smell gas: get out first, then call from outside📞 040 53 79 93 98🔗 www.hamburger-energienetze.de/stoerung-melden
SWM InfrastrukturGas emergency lineIf you smell gas: get out first, then call from outside📞 0800 796-888-000🔗 www.swm-infrastruktur.de/kontakt
Netze BWGas emergency lineIf you smell gas: get out first, then call from outside📞 0800 3629-447🔗 www.netze-bw.de
European emergency numberFire, explosion, someone unwell📞 112

❓ Questions

Is the call free?

Gas emergency lines are generally free and answer day and night.

What if I use bottled gas?

Close the cylinder valve, air the room and call 112 if the smell stays.

Who pays for the repair?

The network operator makes it safe. Repairs to your own pipes and appliances are usually your cost.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-11-03

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

This form only corrects this page. It does not go to the police or any authority, and nobody will act on what you write. To report something, use the contacts on this page. In an emergency, call the emergency number. Do not write names, number plates or other people's details here.

🔗 Also useful

📇Gas leak · Who do I contact?→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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