Electromagnetic proximity detection method for a buried structure (5, 10), in particular an underground conduit or wiring at a construction site, executed with a mobile detection device configured for a movement over a detection area during execution, by the steps of: • sensing an electromagnetic field (7, 12) emitted from the structure as an analog electrical signal, • digitalizing the analog electrical signal as a digital signal, • filtering the analog electrical signal and/or the digital signal, • determining the proximity of the buried structure by analysing the digital signal, wherein the detecting method is alternatively executable in at least the following modes of detection: • a Power-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) with a fundamental frequency of mains supply are detected, in particular electromagnetic fields (7, 12) from power lines with a fundamental frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and • a Radio-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) in a range of radio frequencies are detected, in particular electromagnetic fields (7, 12) from communication lines emitting radio frequencies in the VLF-band in the range of 15 kHz to 60 kHz, or • an Active-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) with a frequency specified by a known signal being artificially introduced to the structure (5, 10) are detected, in particular an electromagnetic field by an artificially introduced current with a specified frequency of about 8 kHz or 33 kHz, characterized by an additional Switching-Mode of operation, wherein a repeated sequential detecting in the Power-Mode of detection and in at least one of the Radio-Mode of detection or the Active-Mode of detection is done by an automatic subsequent alternating of the mode of detection, wherein the Power-Mode of detection is detecting the structures (5, 10) only based on higher order harmonics of the fundamental frequency of mains supply and the alternating of the mode of detection is done with such a minimum rate of alternation that an area of detection is covered by the at least two modes of detection in a single execution of the method, with a rate of at least once per second, and thereby making multiple structures (5, 10) which emit electromagnetic fields (7, 12) of different frequencies accurately detectable by moving the detection device only once over the area of detection. • sensing an electromagnetic field (7, 12) emitted from the structure as an analog electrical signal, • digitalizing the analog electrical signal as a digital signal, • filtering the analog electrical signal and/or the digital signal, • determining the proximity of the buried structure by analysing the digital signal, • a Power-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) with a fundamental frequency of mains supply are detected, in particular electromagnetic fields (7, 12) from power lines with a fundamental frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and • a Radio-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) in a range of radio frequencies are detected, in particular electromagnetic fields (7, 12) from communication lines emitting radio frequencies in the VLF-band in the range of 15 kHz to 60 kHz, or • an Active-Mode of detection wherein electromagnetic fields (7, 12) with a frequency specified by a known signal being artificially introduced to the structure (5, 10) are detected, in particular an electromagnetic field by an artificially introduced current with a specified frequency of about 8 kHz or 33 kHz,