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Did I do the right thing?
First time posting here and I'm a little nervous.
Last night while my boyfriend was putting some recycling in the bins in the shed outside our flat, a neighbour from the building next to u… Hi there,
First time posting here and I'm a little nervous.
Last night while my boyfriend was putting some recycling in the bins in the shed outside our flat, a neighbour from the building next to us approached me mumbling something. I tried to ignore him but he got in my face and said (in German) that he wants to kill someone. He lifted up his shirt and there was a gun in his waistband, then he leaned closer to me and put his finger on his lips and said "shhh".
I just stood stunned while he walked away towards another flat and took the gun out and was playing with it while walking. My boyfriend came out the shed and I told him what happened and we called the police.
By the time they found him he didn't have the gun on him anymore, and as far as I know no one was hurt. He's now been sent to a psychiatric hospital for a few days, which doesn't give me peace of mind at all.
I know he knows who must've called the police, and they haven't found the gun so I'm scared he'll come after me with the gun once he's out of hospital.
A neighbour living in his building approached us asking what happened but I just ignored him because I don't know how they are associated. For all I know, they are friends and now he'll tell the gun man exactly who made the call that got him sectioned.
I'm essentially living in fear now and doubting I did the right thing. I love Berlin but things like this just make me hate it. I feel like I can't trust the police or my neighbours.
The PsychKG placement is actually a better outcome than just having him released with a warning. The docs have to assess him properly and that report goes to the police file, so if he shows up near your building again, there's already a record of the threat. I'd suggest going to your local Polizeiabschnitt and asking for a Gefährderansprache, which is basically a formal warning visit to him about you specifically. They do these for domestic violence situations and it creates another layer of documentation.
For the nosy neighbour, just say "Die Polizei kümmert sich darum" and walk away. Most people in Berlin know better than to push when someone shuts down like that. If you're really worried about running into this guy again, plan a different route to your U-Bahn for a few weeks.
You definitely did the right thing. If you want some peace of mind, go to your local Abschnitt (police station) and ask to speak to the Kontaktbeamter, the community officer for your area. They can give you a direct number and might even do a quick safety check on your building's entrance situation.
The fact that he was sent to a psych hospital under a PsychKG order means the police took it seriously and documented everything. That paper trail matters if anything else happens. I'd also recommend installing a simple peephole camera if your flat door doesn't have one, they're legal as long as you point it only at your own door.
For the neighbour who asked questions, just keep it short if you see them again. A simple "I don't know anything" or "the police are handling it" is fine. You don't owe anyone details. Berlin is a big city and most people keep to themselves, but this kind of thing rattles you, I get it.
honestly you did the right thing, better safe than sorry. maybe ask the polizei if they can do extra patrols around your block for a bit
Berlin on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates.… 🏨 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates. Consider visiting in the shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) when prices drop by up to 30%.
🚇 Cheap Transport Options
A single public transport ticket costs 3.50 EUR for zones AB, covering most attractions. For longer stays, buy a 7-day ticket for 41 EUR or a Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel and museum discounts. Locals often bike everywhere using the city's extensive bike lanes or rent a bike via Nextbike for 1 EUR per 30 minutes.
🍽️ Eating on a Budget
Grab a currywurst from a street stall for around 3.50 EUR or a döner kebab for 5-6 EUR. For groceries, head to Aldi or Lidl where a loaf of bread costs 1.50 EUR. Many bakeries sell pre-made sandwiches for under 4 EUR, perfect for a picnic in Tiergarten.
🎫 Free Attractions
Visit the Reichstag dome for free (book online in advance) and explore the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 km open-air gallery on the Berlin Wall. On Sundays, many museums offer reduced entry or free admission, such as the Museum für Naturkunde (first Sunday of the month free).
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid tourist traps by eating at Späti (corner shops) for cheap drinks and snacks. Use the Berlin Pass for free entry to over 50 attractions if you plan to visit many sites, but calculate costs first as it starts at 59 EUR for 48 hours. Always carry cash, as some smaller shops and cafes don't accept cards.
🏛️ Discount Museum Days
Most state museums are free on the first Sunday of each month, including the Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum. On Thursday evenings, the Jewish Museum offers free entry from 6 PM to 8 PM. Check individual museum websites for updated schedules.
🌳 Free Outdoor Activities
Spend a day at Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned public park with free bike rentals and BBQ areas. Rent a paddleboat on the Spree River for 10 EUR per hour or join a free walking tour (tip-based) that covers major landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.
yeah the guide's got the main stuff down, one thing i'd add is that the späti culture is legit for saving money but specifically the ones in kreuzberg near kottbusser tor have the cheapest beers, like 0.80 eur for a can of sterni. also if you're doing the sunday museum thing, skip the pergamon queue and go to the hamburger bahnhof instead, it's way less crowded and has cool contemporary art plus the building itself is a converted train station so it's a vibe
for food, i'd say the best budget move is not the döner but the falafel at yafa on sonnenallee, 4 eur for a massive plate and it's open till late. and tbh the reichstag booking is a pain but if you miss it, the rooftop at the kollhoff tower near potsdamer platz is like 4 eur and gives you a solid view without the hassle
solid write-up, one thing i'd add is that the 7-day ticket is actually 41 eur for AB but you can get a 4-trip ticket for 12 eur if you're only here a couple days and it works out cheaper than single trips. also the museum sunday freebie is great but it gets packed, like at the pergamon you'll be queuing for 30 mins minimum. for a quieter free option, try the brücke museum in grunewald on a weekday afternoon, it's small but has killer expressionist art and no crowds. oh and for a cheap meal, hit up mustafa's gemüse kebab at mehringdamm, that line is long but it's worth the 5 eur for the hype tbh
honestly the cash tip is huge, a lot of tourists don't realize how many places are still cash only here. something the guide missed is that you can get a really cheap coffee at most bakeries for like 1.50 eur if you stand at the counter instead of sitting down, way cheaper than the hipster cafes. also if you're near a späti grab a beer for like 1 eur, way cheaper than bars obviously