Practical information

On which days are Bern's shops closed? What are the telephone numbers of emergency medical centres? Which web portals offer further information? These answers and other useful tips can be found here in the overview.

The picture shows a person in a wheelchair and a standing person in a lift at a modern railway station. The scene radiates inclusivity and everyday life, emphasised by the cool architecture and natural daylight.

Emergency numbers

Police
117
Fire brigade
118
Ambulance
144
Intoxication
145
Rescue helicopter (REGA)
1414
Roadside assistance
162
European emergency number
112
General information
1811
Help for children and young people
147

Medical emergencies

Hospitals with 24h emergency

Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010 Bern 24-hour emergency numbers (no telephone counselling):

Erwachsene, Universitäres Notfallzentrum
T +41 31 632 24 02
Frauen (Geburtshilfe), Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde ─ unbedingt vorher telefonisch anmelden
T +41 31 632 11 25
Frauen (Gynäkologie), Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde ─ unbedingt vorher telefonisch anmelden
T +41 31 632 10 10
Kinder und Jugendliche, Notfallzentrum für Kinder und Jugendliche
T +41 31 632 92 77
Herz, Universitätsklinik für Kardiologie
T +41 31 632 50 00
Psychiatrische Dienste, Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern
T +41 31 632 88 11

Hirslanden Salem, Schänzlistrasse 39, 3013 Bern 24h emergency number +41 31 335 35 35

Hirslanden Klinik Permanence, Bümplizstrasse 83, 3018 Berne 24h emergency number +41 31 990 41 11

Visit to the doctor without prior appointment

Further emergency numbers

Medical emergency call
T 0900 57 67 47 (subject to a charge)
Dental emergency service city of Bern Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft SSO, T 0900 57 67 47 (subject to a charge)
Cantonal emergency number: T +41 31 529 60 60
Pharmacy emergency call
T 0900 98 99 00 (subject to a charge)
Emergency vet
T 0900 00 25 25 (subject to a charge)
Psychiatric emergency/crisis intervention centre
T +41 31 632 88 11
Parental emergency call Canton Bern
T 0848 35 45 55

Public holidays in Bern

1 January, New Year's Day
2 January, Berchtold's Day
Good Friday
Easter incl. Easter Monday
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
1 August, bank holidays
25 December, Christmas Day
26 December, St Stephen's Day

The official public holidays may vary from canton to canton.

Shop opening hours in Bern

The following opening hours generally apply to shops in the city of Bern (deviations are possible):

Mon-Wed 9:00-19:00 Thu 9:00-21:00 Fri 9:00-19:00 Sat 9:00-18:00 Sun closed.
Sunday sales take place during Advent.
There are over 80 shops in Bern railway station, which are open 365 days a year. Different opening hours apply to them: On weekdays, most of them are open until 21:00, on weekends and public holidays until 20:00.
Canton of Berne: Sales

Did you know that Sundays are protected by several laws in Switzerland? For example, mowing the lawn, using the washing machine in a residential building or dumping bottles in recycling containers is not permitted on Sundays.