Emergency numbers by country: who to call abroad

In the United States, 911 is the single number for police, ambulance and fire, from any phone, free of charge. Calls are routed to the nearest local dispatch centre.

Tell the operator your location first, because mobile location can be approximate. If you call 911 by mistake, stay on the line and say it was an error rather than hanging up.

Worth knowing: Give your location early; 911 dispatch is local, and mobile-phone location can be imprecise.

Source: US FCC: 911 services

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The UK’s emergency number is 999, and the EU number 112 also connects to the same service, so either works for police, ambulance, fire or coastguard.

There is also a non-emergency police line on 101 and an urgent-but-not-emergency NHS medical line on 111, which are the right call when it is not life-threatening.

Worth knowing: Use 101 for non-emergency police and 111 for urgent NHS medical advice, to keep 999 free for emergencies.

Source: UK Government: 999 and 112

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Ireland uses both 112 (the EU number) and 999, and they reach the same emergency services: Garda (police), ambulance, fire and coast guard.

Both are free from any phone. Operators handle calls in English.

Worth knowing: Either 112 or 999 works for everything; there is no need to remember separate service numbers.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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In France, 112 reaches all emergency services and is the simplest to remember. France also keeps direct lines: 15 for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 for police and 18 for the fire brigade, who also handle many medical first-response calls.

All are free. If you are unsure which to use, 112 will route you correctly.

Worth knowing: If in doubt, dial 112. The direct lines (15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire) are useful when you know exactly what you need.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Spain runs everything through 112, which connects to police, ambulance and fire across the whole country, including the islands. Operators can usually handle English and other languages.

It is free from any phone, including a blocked handset or one with an inactive SIM where there is mobile coverage.

Worth knowing: 112 covers the mainland and the islands alike, with multilingual operators in the tourist regions.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Portugal uses 112 for all emergencies, reaching police (PSP/GNR), ambulance and fire, on the mainland and in Madeira and the Azores.

The call is free. There is also a 24-hour health line, SNS 24, on 808 24 24 24 for non-emergency medical advice.

Worth knowing: For non-urgent medical questions, the SNS 24 health line (808 24 24 24) saves 112 for real emergencies.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Italy has moved to 112 as the single European emergency number, which dispatches police, ambulance and fire. Direct service numbers also remain in use (113 State Police, 115 fire brigade, 118 urgent medical), but 112 is the one to remember.

It is free from any phone and connects to a multilingual call centre in the main regions.

Worth knowing: Use 112. The old 113/118/115 lines still function in places, but 112 now covers everything.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Germany uses 112 for medical and fire emergencies, and a separate 110 for the police. Both are free and answered around the clock.

If you are unsure, 112 operators can still help direct you, but for a crime in progress 110 reaches the police directly.

Worth knowing: Two numbers: 112 for ambulance and fire, 110 for police. Both free, both nationwide.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Austria uses 112 as the European emergency number, and it connects you to help for any situation. The country also keeps direct lines: 133 for police, 144 for ambulance and 122 for the fire service.

All are free of charge. In the mountains, the Alpine emergency number is 140.

Worth knowing: 112 is the European number; direct lines are 133 police, 144 ambulance, 122 fire, plus 140 for mountain rescue.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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The Netherlands uses 112 for police, ambulance and fire emergencies, free from any phone, with English widely spoken by operators.

For non-urgent police matters there is a separate number, 0900-8844, which keeps 112 clear for emergencies.

Worth knowing: For non-urgent police business use 0900-8844, not 112.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Czechia uses 112 as the unified European emergency line, with English-speaking operators. Direct numbers also exist: 155 for ambulance, 158 for police and 150 for fire.

All are free. In Prague, 112 is the easiest to remember and will route your call.

Worth knowing: 112 has English-speaking operators; the direct lines (155/158/150) are handy if you know which service you need.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Hungary uses 112 for all emergencies, connecting to police, ambulance and fire. The old direct numbers (107 police, 104 ambulance, 105 fire) still exist, but 112 is the standard.

It is free from any phone, and operators in Budapest typically handle English.

Worth knowing: Dial 112. The older 107/104/105 lines still work but 112 is the one to use.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Greece uses 112 as the European emergency number, which is especially useful as it is multilingual and is also used for alerts during wildfires and other hazards. Direct lines are 100 for police, 166 for ambulance and 199 for the fire service.

All are free. The coast guard, relevant for the islands, is on 108.

Worth knowing: 112 also sends official wildfire and hazard alerts in summer; for the islands, note 108 for the coast guard.

Source: European Union: emergency numbers (Your Europe)

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Turkey consolidated its emergency services under a single number, 112, which now handles police, ambulance and fire across the country, Istanbul included.

It is free from any phone. The older separate numbers have largely been merged into 112.

Worth knowing: Turkey now uses one number, 112, for everything; the old separate lines have mostly been retired.

Source: Türkiye: 112 emergency call centre

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In the UAE the emergency numbers are split: 999 for police, 998 for ambulance and 997 for civil defence (fire).

All are free. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, operators handle English, and there are also apps and non-emergency police lines for minor matters.

Worth knowing: Three numbers to know: 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire (civil defence).

Source: UAE Government: emergencies

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Japan does not use 112. The emergency numbers are 110 for the police and 119 for fire and ambulance, both free from any phone, including payphones.

Operators may have limited English, so speak slowly and clearly, state whether you need police or an ambulance, and give your location. Japan’s tourist information line (050-3816-2787) can also help in English around the clock.

Worth knowing: Two numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. There is no 112; the Japan Visitor Hotline can interpret if needed.

Source: Japan National Tourism Organization: hotline

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