Make the call
- Say where you are first, then what happened.
- Answer the dispatcher's questions — help is often already on the way while you talk.
- Stay on the line until told to hang up.
The few seconds you spend finding the right number matter. Look it up here before you travel, keep a go-bag ready at home, and learn what dispatchers need to hear from you.
Police, ambulance and fire numbers. In the EU and many other countries, 112 works from any mobile phone. Numbers can change — confirm with official sources when you arrive.
| Country | Police | Ambulance | Fire | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 911 | 911 | 911 | Text-to-911 works in many areas |
| Canada | 911 | 911 | 911 | |
| Mexico | 911 | 911 | 911 | |
| United Kingdom | 999 | 999 | 999 | 112 also works; 101 for non-emergencies |
| Ireland | 112 / 999 | 112 / 999 | 112 / 999 | |
| France | 17 | 15 | 18 | 112 from any phone |
| Germany | 110 | 112 | 112 | |
| Italy | 112 | 112 / 118 | 112 / 115 | Single number 112 in most regions |
| Spain | 112 / 091 | 112 | 112 | |
| Portugal | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Netherlands | 112 | 112 | 112 | 0900-8844 police non-emergency |
| Belgium | 101 / 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Switzerland | 117 | 144 | 118 | 112 also works |
| Austria | 133 | 144 | 122 | 112 also works |
| Sweden | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Norway | 112 | 113 | 110 | |
| Denmark | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Finland | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Poland | 112 / 997 | 112 / 999 | 112 / 998 | |
| Greece | 100 / 112 | 166 | 199 | |
| Turkey | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Russia | 102 | 103 | 101 | 112 from mobiles |
| Ukraine | 102 | 103 | 101 | 112 from mobiles |
| Australia | 000 | 000 | 000 | 112 from mobiles |
| New Zealand | 111 | 111 | 111 | |
| Japan | 110 | 119 | 119 | |
| South Korea | 112 | 119 | 119 | |
| China | 110 | 120 | 119 | |
| Taiwan | 110 | 119 | 119 | |
| Hong Kong | 999 | 999 | 999 | |
| Singapore | 999 | 995 | 995 | |
| Malaysia | 999 | 999 | 994 | 112 from mobiles |
| Thailand | 191 | 1669 | 199 | Tourist police 1155 |
| Vietnam | 113 | 115 | 114 | |
| Philippines | 911 | 911 | 911 | |
| Indonesia | 110 | 118 / 119 | 113 | 112 also works |
| Cambodia | 117 | 119 | 118 | |
| India | 112 / 100 | 112 / 108 | 112 / 101 | |
| Pakistan | 15 | 1122 | 16 | |
| Bangladesh | 999 | 999 | 999 | |
| Sri Lanka | 119 | 1990 | 110 | |
| Nepal | 100 | 102 | 101 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 999 | 998 | 997 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 999 / 911 | 997 / 911 | 998 / 911 | |
| Israel | 100 | 101 | 102 | |
| Egypt | 122 | 123 | 180 | |
| South Africa | 10111 | 10177 | 10177 | 112 from mobiles |
| Nigeria | 112 | 112 | 112 | |
| Kenya | 999 / 112 | 999 / 112 | 999 / 112 | |
| Brazil | 190 | 192 | 193 | |
| Argentina | 911 | 107 | 100 | |
| Chile | 133 | 131 | 132 | |
| Colombia | 123 | 123 | 123 | |
| Peru | 105 | 106 | 116 |
No country matches. Try 112 — it reaches emergency services in many countries.
A quick reminder, not a replacement for training. A certified first aid and CPR course takes a few hours and is the best preparation you can get.
Tick items as you pack. Your progress is saved on this device only, so you can come back later.
Most people dial an emergency number only a few times in their life, usually under stress. Dispatchers say the same problems come up again and again: callers who do not know their exact location, travelers who dial the number from home, and families with no supplies when the power goes out. Each of those can be fixed in advance.
Look up the local number and save it in your phone next to your travel insurer's hotline. In much of the world 112 works from a mobile phone, but some countries still use separate numbers for police, ambulance and fire.
Keep a go-bag near the door, write down emergency contacts on paper, and make sure everyone in the house — including children — knows the address and how to call for help.
Breathe, speak clearly, and start with your location. Tell the dispatcher about hazards such as fire, traffic or weapons. Unlock the door and turn on outside lights at night so responders can find you.
State where you are first — street address, nearest cross street or landmark — then what happened. If the call drops, the dispatcher already knows where to send help. Stay on the line until they tell you to hang up.
Many mobile phones and carriers route 112 to 911 in the US, but it is not guaranteed on every network. In North America always dial 911. In Europe, 112 is the common emergency number in every EU country.
Text-to-911 is available in many US counties but not everywhere. If it is not supported you will get a bounce-back message telling you to call instead. Calling is always faster when you can speak safely.
Do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher it was an accident so they do not have to spend time calling back or sending someone to check on you.
Common guidance is one gallon (about 3.8 liters) per person per day, for at least three days at home. A portable go-bag usually carries less, so add a filter bottle or purification tablets.
No. These guides are general information. Take a certified first aid and CPR course, follow the instructions of emergency dispatchers, and check the official numbers for the country you are in.
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