Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Germany, Bavarian Red Cross, and NG-SOS unite to bring life-saving technology to Bavaria

Bavaria joins a growing network of countries using NG-SOS (or Notruf+ as it is known locally). NG-SOS is an emergency app that transforms smartphones into lifesaving tools.

This milestone marks a significant expansion for NG-SOS, already trusted by millions across Central Europe, and reinforces Vodafone Foundation’s commitment to using connectivity for good.

With Bavaria now on board, the platform creates the largest unified group of countries using the same emergency technology for enhanced emergency communication.

Accidents can happen anywhere - on a mountain trail, in a forest, or in the city. In those critical moments, every second counts. NG-SOS ensures help arrives faster by combining emergency calls, precise location sharing, first aid guidance, and access to nearby defibrillators and other important points of interest, all in one app.

It’s been designed to be fully accessible, multilingual, and inclusive. The app includes a video call function, icons depict different injuries which users can select if they cannot speak, and it provides real-time AI translations.

Lisa Felton, Director of Vodafone Foundation said: “We are proud to see NG-SOS expand to Bavaria, bringing life-saving technology to even more people. Every second counts in an emergency, and NG-SOS ensures help arrives faster and more effectively. This expansion reflects Vodafone Foundation’s mission to harness connectivity for good - because when technology saves lives, it truly makes a difference.”

Filip Maleňák, CEO of NG-SOS said: “The Notruf+ app is the latest adaptation of NG-SOS technology, enabling quick and easy contact with emergency number 112 and saving valuable minutes. Bavaria’s inclusion creates the largest unified group of countries using the same technology for enhanced emergency communication - Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Finland - with more to follow.”

NG-SOS is already a success story with almost 5 million downloads across Central Europe and 250,000 emergency calls handled.

Fully-funded by Vodafone Foundation, the app is available free of charge via all major app stores starting in Germany, compatible with all smartphones, and backed by Vodafone’s 5G technology for instant, location-accurate alerts - even in remote areas.

Users need only one app for emergency calls in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Finland - with more countries joining soon.

Learn more about NG-SOS here: