Key takeaways
- 112 works across the European Union and on most mobile networks worldwide, often redirecting to the local service.
- 911 covers the United States, Canada and Mexico; 999 the UK, and 112 works there too.
- Some countries split services: police, ambulance and fire each have a number (Morocco, Egypt, China, Japan).
- Before a trip, save the local numbers and your embassy’s phone number in your contacts.
Knowing the right number is the first step of any emergency, and it changes with the country. The good news: a few numbers cover a large part of the world, and mobile phones are designed to route emergency calls even when you dial the “wrong” one. Here is a practical overview. Always double-check the numbers for your destination before you travel, as they can change.
The numbers that work almost everywhere
- 112 is the single emergency number of the European Union and part of the GSM mobile standard. On many networks outside Europe, dialling 112 from a mobile connects you to the local emergency service.
- 911 is the emergency number in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and some mobiles redirect it elsewhere too.
- 999 is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland (with 112), and several countries in Asia and Africa.
Redirection isn’t guaranteed everywhere. Treat 112 and 911 as a backup, not a replacement for the local number.
Europe
In every EU country, 112 reaches police, ambulance and fire. Many countries also keep their own short numbers: in France, 15 (medical), 17 (police) and 18 (fire); in Spain, 091 for the national police; in Germany, 110 for the police. The UK uses 999 and 112, and 111 for non-urgent medical advice.
North America
Dial 911 in the United States, Canada and Mexico for police, ambulance and fire. If you can’t speak, many areas accept text messages to 911; check before you rely on it.
The Middle East and North Africa
Services are often split. In Morocco: 19 (police in towns), 177 (Gendarmerie outside towns), 15 (Civil Protection: fire and ambulance) and 141 (SAMU medical emergencies), with 112 from mobiles. Our /blog/morocco-emergency-numbers/ guide explains which to choose. In the United Arab Emirates, 999 is the police and 998 the ambulance. In Saudi Arabia, 911 is the unified number in major regions. In Egypt, 122 is the police and 123 the ambulance.
Asia and Oceania
Australia uses 000 (and 112 from mobiles), New Zealand 111. In Japan, 110 is the police and 119 fire and ambulance. In China, 110 is the police, 120 the ambulance and 119 the fire service. India has 112 as a unified number.
How to make yourself understood
- Say where you are first: city, street or road, a visible landmark. Share your live location with a companion if you can.
- Say what happened in simple words: “accident”, “fire”, “ambulance”, “police”.
- Say how many people are hurt and whether anyone isn’t breathing.
- If language is a barrier, ask a local person, a hotel receptionist or a shopkeeper to speak for you.
Prepare before you need it
Before a trip, add the local emergency numbers and your embassy’s phone number to your contacts, and set up your phone’s emergency information (medical ID) so first responders can see allergies and a contact person from the lock screen. Chameleon AI shows the emergency numbers of the country you’re in on its Home screen and camera, finds them for the country you’re in, and works offline. You can add your own trusted contacts to the same list.
Frequently asked questions
Does 112 work without a SIM card?
In many countries, mobiles can call 112 without a SIM card or credit, but some networks block SIM-less calls to prevent hoax calls. Keep an active SIM when you travel and don’t depend on SIM-less calling.
What should I do if I call the wrong emergency number?
Stay on the line. Operators are used to it and will usually transfer you or tell you which number to call. Give your location first so help can be sent even if the call drops.
Is calling an emergency number free?
Yes, emergency calls are free in almost every country, from landlines and mobiles.
General information to help you get organised, not legal advice. Procedures and numbers can change: confirm them with the office concerned, and in danger call your local emergency number first.