This guide lists emergency numbers and roadside assistance clubs for the main European driving countries, plus embassy helplines and what to say when you call. Save it to your phone or print it before you go.
The single most important number to remember is 112. It works in every EU and EEA country, connects to all emergency services, is free, and operators in most countries can handle calls in English. But country-specific numbers often reach the right service faster, and roadside assistance requires different contacts entirely.
Understanding 112: The EU-Wide Emergency Number
The 112 number was established by the European Union in 1991 and is now active in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. It also works in the United Kingdom, Turkey, and several other non-EU countries.
What happens when you call 112
- The call is routed to the nearest emergency call centre (known as a PSAP, Public Safety Answering Point).
- The operator can dispatch police, fire, or ambulance services depending on your emergency.
- Most smartphones automatically send your location to the call centre (Advanced Mobile Location) in many countries, but always state your location clearly as well.
- English-speaking operators are available in most Western European countries. In Eastern Europe, English support is improving but not guaranteed. If the operator cannot understand you, they will try to transfer you to someone who can.
- Calls to 112 from mobile phones work with no credit and from a locked phone, and on any available network. Some countries, including Germany and the UK, don't accept calls from phones with no SIM card.
Programme 112 into your phone's emergency contacts. On most smartphones, you can make emergency calls from the lock screen by tapping "Emergency" on the PIN entry screen. Practise finding this feature on your phone before you travel.
Country-by-Country Emergency Numbers
Numbers are listed as general emergency, police, ambulance, fire, and roadside assistance where useful. Where we name a motoring club without a number, check your breakdown policy for the number to call, as that is who will usually send help.
Western Europe
United Kingdom
- General emergency: 999 or 112
- Non-emergency police: 101
- NHS non-emergency: 111
- Coastguard: 999 (ask for coastguard)
- Roadside assistance: AA (0800 887 766), RAC (0330 159 1111), or the number on your Green Flag or other policy
France
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 17
- Ambulance (SAMU): 15
- Fire (Pompiers): 18
- Roadside assistance: Call the emergency phone on the motorway hard shoulder (orange pillars every 2km) or 112 for on-motorway breakdowns. Private assistance is not permitted on French motorways; the local authorised recovery firm will be dispatched.
Germany
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 110
- Fire and ambulance: 112
- Roadside assistance: ADAC (+49 89 22 22 22), available to non-members for a fee
Netherlands
- General emergency: 112
- Non-emergency police: 0900 8844
- Roadside assistance: ANWB (088 269 2888)
Belgium
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 101
- Roadside assistance: Touring (070 344 777) or VAB
Luxembourg
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 113
- Roadside assistance: ACL (+352 26 000)
Southern Europe
Spain
- General emergency: 112
- National police: 091
- Guardia Civil (highways): 062
- Local police: 092
- Ambulance: 061
- Roadside assistance: RACE (Spain's motoring club); DGT traffic information 011
Portugal
- General emergency: 112
- Roadside assistance: ACP (Portugal's motoring club); on motorways, use the SOS phones
Italy
- General emergency: 112 (now the single number in most regions)
- Police (Carabinieri): 112
- State police: 113
- Fire: 115
- Ambulance: 118
- Roadside assistance: ACI (803 116 from Italian phones, +39 02 66 165 116 from foreign phones)
Greece
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 100
- Ambulance: 166
- Fire: 199
- Tourist police: 1571 (English-speaking officers)
- Roadside assistance: ELPA (10400)
Croatia
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 192
- Ambulance: 194
- Fire: 193
- Roadside assistance: HAK (1987)
Central Europe
Austria
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 133
- Ambulance: 144
- Fire: 122
- Mountain rescue: 140
- Roadside assistance: OAMTC (120), ARBO (123)
Switzerland
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 117
- Ambulance: 144
- Fire: 118
- Helicopter rescue (REGA): 1414
- Roadside assistance: TCS (140)
Czech Republic
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 158
- Ambulance: 155
- Fire: 150
- Roadside assistance: UAMK (1230)
Poland
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 997
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire: 998
- Roadside assistance: through your breakdown policy; PZM is Poland's motoring club
Hungary
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 107
- Ambulance: 104
- Fire: 105
- Roadside assistance: MAK (188)
Northern Europe
Sweden
- General emergency: 112
- Non-emergency police: 114 14
- Non-emergency health: 1177
- Roadside assistance: Assistancekaren (020 912 912)
Norway
- General emergency: 112 (police), 110 (fire), 113 (ambulance)
- Roadside assistance: NAF or Viking, via your breakdown policy
Denmark
- General emergency: 112
- Non-emergency police: 114
- Roadside assistance: FDM or Falck, via your breakdown policy
Finland
- General emergency: 112
- Non-emergency police: 0295 419 800
- Roadside assistance: Autoliitto, via your breakdown policy
Iceland
- General emergency: 112
- Roadside assistance: through your hire company's helpline (most visitors drive hire cars)
- Road conditions: 1777
Southeast Europe
Romania
- General emergency: 112
- Roadside assistance: ACR (Romania's motoring club), via your breakdown policy
Bulgaria
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 166
- Ambulance: 150
- Fire: 160
- Roadside assistance: SBA (Bulgaria's motoring club), via your breakdown policy
Slovenia
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 113
- Roadside assistance: AMZS (1987)
Turkey
- General emergency: 112
- Police: 155
- Gendarmerie (rural areas): 156
- Ambulance: 112
- Fire: 110
- Roadside assistance: through your hire company or breakdown policy
What to Say When You Call Emergency Services
In a stressful situation, it is easy to forget basic information. When you call an emergency number, be ready to provide the following in a clear, calm voice:
- Your location. The road name or number, the direction of travel, the nearest town, and any landmarks. On motorways, look for kilometre markers on the crash barrier or verge posts.
- What has happened. Accident, breakdown, medical emergency, fire. Be specific: "two-car collision" is more useful than "there's been an accident."
- How many people are involved. And whether anyone appears injured.
- Any hazards. Fuel spillage, vehicle on fire, blocked carriageway, debris on the road.
- Your phone number. So they can call you back if the call drops.
If you do not speak the local language, speak slowly and clearly in English. State "English, please" at the start of the call. Most 112 call centres have multilingual operators or access to interpreters. Keep your sentences short and factual.
Embassy and Consular Contacts
Your country's embassy or consulate can help if you lose your passport, are arrested, or need assistance in a serious emergency. They cannot pay your bills or get you out of jail, but they can provide guidance, emergency travel documents, and contact your family.
How to find your embassy quickly
- UK citizens. Search "UK embassy" followed by the country name on gov.uk, or call +44 20 7008 5000 (the FCDO's 24-hour line).
- Irish citizens. Department of Foreign Affairs: +353 1 408 2000.
- US citizens. State Department: +1 202 501 4444 (from overseas) or contact the nearest US embassy.
- Australian citizens. Consular Emergency Centre: +61 2 6261 3305.
- Canadian citizens. Emergency Watch: +1 613 996 8885.
Save your embassy's local number in your phone before you enter each country. Most embassies have a 24-hour emergency line for citizens in distress.
Roadside Assistance: What Your Policy Covers
Your domestic breakdown cover may not work abroad, or it may cover you differently. Here is what to check before you travel.
Key questions for your provider
- Does my policy cover European travel? Many UK breakdown policies offer European cover as an add-on.
- What is the response time guarantee? In remote areas, this matters a lot.
- Am I covered for vehicle repatriation if the car cannot be repaired locally?
- Is there a limit on the number of callouts?
- Does the cover include accommodation and onward travel if my car is off the road overnight?
If your existing cover does not extend abroad, consider a standalone European breakdown policy. Providers like the AA and RAC offer trip-based or annual European cover. See our documents checklist for what else to carry.
Save your breakdown provider's international phone number, not the domestic one. The UK freephone 0800 numbers do not work from foreign networks. Check your policy documents for the +44 international number and save it before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Does 112 work everywhere in Europe?
Yes. 112 is active in all 27 EU member states, all EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and most Balkan nations. It is the safest number to remember because it works across the widest range of countries. Even in countries with their own emergency numbers, 112 will connect you to the right service.
Can I call 112 without a SIM card?
Not everywhere. 112 works without credit, from a locked phone and on any network in range, but some countries (including Germany and the UK) don't connect calls from phones with no SIM card. Keep your own phone charged, and carry a car charger.
What if the emergency operator does not speak English?
Start with "English, please" spoken slowly. Most 112 centres in Western Europe have English-speaking operators or rapid access to interpreters. In Eastern Europe and Turkey, English may be less readily available. In this case, focus on communicating the essentials: your location (road number and town), the word "accident" or "fire" or "ambulance," and the number of people involved. Some services accept what3words locations, but not all, so read out the road number, direction and nearest kilometre marker as well.