Emergencies and Counselling Services

This number connects you to the police emergency centre. Depending on the situation, the police may also alert other emergency services (e.g. the fire brigade).

Direct emergency number for the police.

Direct emergency number for the fire brigade.

This number connects you directly to the ambulance emergency centre. Call 144 only if you need urgent medical assistance or an ambulance, or if you are unsure about the severity of the situation (e.g. after an accident).

For non-urgent medical problems, contact your family doctor first. Outside regular opening hours, an emergency doctor is always on duty. Information on the doctor currently available can be found on your doctor’s answering machine or in the regional newspaper.

You can also call the cantonal emergency number 0900 008 008 (CHF 3.23 per minute). Medical professionals will provide advice and direct you to the appropriate place (doctor or hospital).

If necessary, you may also visit a hospital emergency department or a walk-in clinic directly.

At Zug Pharmacy (Bahnhofplatz Zug), you can obtain medication outside normal opening hours.

Opening hours: weekdays from 7:00 to 21:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 8:00 to 20:00.

This paid number provides information about which dentist in the Canton of Zug is currently on emergency duty. This service is available only in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays.

At night, or if the emergency dental service cannot be reached, contact the Zug Cantonal Hospital switchboard at 041 399 11 11.

If you have swallowed something poisonous or suspect poisoning, doctors and specialists can help via this number. They explain what steps you should take.

In life-threatening situations, call 144 immediately.

The website toxinfo.ch provides detailed information about poisoning and prevention.

Links:

toxinfo.ch / Contact and information

Helpline 143 (The Helping Hand) offers confidential and anonymous support for anyone who wishes to talk about personal issues, of any kind. Information on additional helpful ressources is available. You can also contact the service by email or chat.

Links:

Counselling for Adults / Contact and information

Helpline 147 is a counselling sevice for children and young people who want to talk to someone about their problems or worries. Professionals are available 24 hours a day. Conversations are confidential and anonymous. Contact by email, SMS or chat is also possible.

Links:

Counselling for Children and Young People / Contact and information (DE)

The Parent Helpline (Elternnotruf) offers around-the-clock advice and support for parents and other caregivers on parenting questions. Counsellors can help if you feel overwhelmed or are exhausted in dealing with children, or if you are worried about another child.

You can also contact the helpline if you suspect that a child is being emotionally or physically abused. Conversations are confidential and can be anonymous if desired. You can also contact the service by email.

The helpline cannot provide medical advice.

Links:

Parent helpline / Contact and information

The Domestic Violence Unit of the Zug Police is a contact point for people affected by domestic violence. It provides information, support and helps people find other counselling services. The unit is available to both women and men.

Further information about domestic violence and counselling services can be found on the ‘Domestic violence’ page on new-to-zug.ch.

If you are in immediate danger, call the police emergency number 117.

Links:

Kanton Zug / Stop domestic violence!

The Migration Office Zug (FMZ) is a central information and counselling service for migrants. Its staff provide guidance on everyday life in Switzerland and help you find relevant services. They also provide advice on suitable German courses and integration programmes.

Counselling by phone or in person is available in different languages by appointment. You can also visit the FMZ without an appointment for a free short consultation. If necessary, you can arrange an appointment for a longer consultation. You can also ask questions through the FMZ's online counselling service. The cost of longer consultations depends on your income.

There are also other counselling services that offer support on specific topics. You can ask your local municipality or the Migration Office Zug (FMZ) about these services.

Migrant organisations are also a good place to obtain information in your own language.

Links:

FMZ / Contact and location

Kanton Zug / Municipalities of Zug

FMZ / Migration organisations

In many situations, your municipality of residence is a good first point of contact. Staff can often answer questions directly or refer you to the appropriate counselling service.

All municipalities in the Canton of Zug have their own websites, where you can find contact details, opening hours and further information – in some cases also lists of counselling and integration services in the region.

Links:

Kanton Zug / Municipalities of Zug

In the Canton of Zug many counselling services specialise in specific topics or areas of life. These include, for example: ageing, employment, residence status, education, marriage and divorce, parenting, family, finances (debts/budget), health, domestic violence, integration, mental health, infant care, pregnancy, sexuality, addiction and social issues.

The first consultation is usually free of charge. Contact details for counselling services on these topics can be found in the relevant chapters on new-to-zug. Newly arrived migrants can also contact the Migration Office Zug (FMZ) or their municipality for information about suitable services.

If you do not yet speak German well, you should ask in advance about interpreting options. Some counselling services offer sessions in other languages, others can arrange interpreters, or they may ask you to bring someone you trust.

Links:

Kanton Zug / Sozialverzeichnis (DE)

The Bar Association of the Canton of Zug (Advokatenverein des Kantons Zug) offers free short legal consultations (maximum 20 minutes) for residents with legal questions. These consultations are held in person, and the dates are published on the association’s website. Advance registration is not possible, and questions by phone or email are not answered. You must attend in person. Around 20 consultations are offered per session; early arrival (up to 15 minutes before the start time) is recommended.

Other organisations also offer free or low-cost legal advice on various topics (e.g. employment, housing, marriage, family). If the consultation takes longer or requires detailed advice, fees may apply.

For people aged 60 and over, Pro Senectute Canton of Zug offers free legal advice every second Monday. Registration is required by email at beratung@zg.prosenectute.ch or by telephone at 041 511 15 20.

Links:

Advokatenverein des Kantons Zug / Pro bono legal service (DE)

Pro Senectute / Further information and contact (DE)

The Contact Point for Discrimination Issues at the Cantonal Social Office offers advice and information during office hours.

Services include:

• Information for people who experience discrimination based on origin or nationality
• Information for professionals and administrative offices with questions about protection against discrimination

Links:

Anlaufstelle für Diskriminierungsfragen / Further information and contact (DE)

Guide "Race Discrimination" (DE)