Emergency numbers around the world

If you face an accident, illness or theft in a foreign city, knowing which number to call saves precious minutes. This guide explains where common numbers such as 112, 911 and 999 work, how calling with a foreign SIM or without a SIM card works, and what to save before you set off. At the end of the page you will find police, ambulance and fire numbers by country in a single table.

Last updated: November 2026

In short: three numbers to remember

• 112 — The common emergency number in every European Union country, in Türkiye and in many other countries. Under the GSM standard it also works on many mobile networks.
• 911 — The general emergency number in the US, Canada, Mexico and parts of the Americas; in some countries it is redirected to 112.
• 999 — The number used in the United Kingdom and some former British colonies (police in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and some Gulf countries). 112 also works in the United Kingdom.

One number or separate numbers?

In some countries a single number connects you to all emergency services: the operator listens to your situation and dispatches the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade. The 112 in the European Union and 911 in North America are the best-known examples of this system.

In many countries, however, each service has its own number. In Japan, for example, the police are 110 and ambulance and fire are 119; in China the police are 110, ambulance 120 and fire 119. So it is a good idea to learn not only the general number but also the separate service numbers of the country you are visiting. In the table, this column is left blank for countries without a general number.

Calling on a foreign SIM: why do 112 and 911 work in most places?

GSM and later mobile standards recognise 112 as an emergency number, and many phones and carriers handle 911 the same way. As a result, when you dial 112 or 911 on a roaming phone, in most countries the phone routes the call to the local emergency service; you do not need to add a country code.

Still, this is not guaranteed. Routing depends on the network and the phone's settings; in some countries the call lands at a call centre and there may be a language barrier. The most reliable option is to call the local number of the country you are in.

Calling without a SIM card or from a locked phone

In many countries you can make emergency calls even from the lock screen; that is what the "Emergency" or "SOS" button on your phone is for. However, the rules for calling from a phone without a SIM card vary by country: some countries do not accept SIM-less emergency calls in order to prevent misuse.

If you use an eSIM instead of a physical SIM, make sure the line is active and registered on the network. Some smartphones can send emergency messages via satellite, but this feature is only available in certain countries and on certain models.

Tourist police and other helplines

Some countries with heavy tourism have a separate tourist police for foreign visitors. Thailand, Egypt, Greece and some Latin American countries are examples. These units usually have English-speaking staff and make it easier to report lost property, scams or theft.

Many countries also have special numbers such as poison control, sea rescue, mountain rescue or support lines for women. If you are planning a hike or a boat trip, find out the local rescue number in advance.

What to say during the call

• First stay calm and say where you are: the address, the hotel name, a nearby building or the map location on your phone.
• Briefly explain what happened and say how many people need help.
• Do not hang up until the operator tells you to.
• If you do not speak the local language, ask for someone who speaks English; many centres have interpreter support.
• Many smartphones send your location automatically during an emergency call (AML). This feature is not supported in every country, so also state your location verbally.

Before you travel

• Save the police, ambulance and fire numbers of your destination as contacts on your phone.
• Note the address and phone number of your own country's embassy or consulate there; it is the first place to go if you lose your passport.
• Fill in your phone's emergency contact and medical information section; this information can be seen from the lock screen.
• Save your travel insurance's 24/7 assistance line.
• Keep a copy of your passport and important documents somewhere you can access offline.

Emergency numbers by country