Can I call emergency services without a SIM card?

Yes, in most countries you can dial the emergency number (112 in the EU, 000 in Australia, 911 in the US) without a SIM card. The phone will connect through any available network. However, you won't be able to receive a callback, so stay on the line.

What should I do if I don't speak the local language in an emergency?

Speak slowly and clearly, starting with your location. Many emergency services have interpreter access. Learn key phrases like "Help", "Ambulance", "Police", and your hotel address in the local language before travelling. You can also share your GPS coordinates from a maps app.

What emergency number should I call in the UK?

In the UK, dial 999 for police, ambulance, or fire. 112 also works. For non-emergency medical advice, call 111.

Emergency Numbers Around the World

Why You Need to Know This

In an emergency abroad, the last thing you want is to be frantically Googling "what's the emergency number in Japan?" while someone needs help. Emergency numbers vary by country, and muscle memory from home won't help you.

This guide gives you the numbers for the most-visited countries, plus practical tips for actually getting help when you need it — including what to do when you don't speak the local language.

Quick Save

Screenshot this page or save it offline. You might not have data or Wi-Fi when you need it most. Better yet, save the local emergency number in your phone's contacts before you arrive.

Universal Emergency Numbers

A few numbers work across multiple countries or have special routing built into mobile networks.

📱 112 — The Global Standard

112 works in all EU countries, and is routed to emergency services in 80+ countries worldwide. Most modern mobile phones will connect 112 even without a SIM card or signal from your provider — it uses any available network. If in doubt, try 112 first.

📱 911 — Americas & Routing

911 is the standard in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Some other countries will route 911 to local services on mobile phones, but don't rely on this — learn the local number.

Europe

The EU-wide number is 112, but many countries also keep their traditional numbers active.

Country	Police	Ambulance	Fire	Notes
🇬🇧 UK	999	999	999	112 also works. 111 for non-emergency medical.
🇫🇷 France	17	15	18	112 for all. SAMU (15) for medical.
🇩🇪 Germany	110	112	112	112 for fire and medical.
🇪🇸 Spain	091	112	112	062 for Guardia Civil.
🇮🇹 Italy	113	118	115	112 now unified in most areas.
🇳🇱 Netherlands	112	112	112	0900-8844 for non-emergency police.
🇵🇹 Portugal	112	112	112	—
🇬🇷 Greece	100	166	199	112 also works.
🇨🇭 Switzerland	117	144	118	Not EU, but 112 still works.

Americas

Country	Police	Ambulance	Fire	Notes
🇺🇸 USA	911	911	911	Unified system. 988 for mental health crisis.
🇨🇦 Canada	911	911	911	Same as US.
🇲🇽 Mexico	911	911	911	Switched to 911 in 2017.
🇧🇷 Brazil	190	192	193	Tourist police: 190.
🇦🇷 Argentina	101	107	100	911 works in Buenos Aires.
🇨🇴 Colombia	123	123	123	Unified number.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica	911	911	911	—

Asia & Pacific

Country	Police	Ambulance	Fire	Notes
🇯🇵 Japan	110	119	119	Limited English — speak slowly.
🇹🇭 Thailand	191	1669	199	Tourist police: 1155 (English speakers).
🇦🇺 Australia	000	000	000	112 from mobiles. 131 444 non-emergency.
🇳🇿 New Zealand	111	111	111	—
🇮🇳 India	100	102	101	112 unified number rolling out.
🇨🇳 China	110	120	119	Very limited English.
🇰🇷 South Korea	112	119	119	1330 for tourism help in English.
🇸🇬 Singapore	999	995	995	English widely spoken.
🇮🇩 Indonesia	110	118	113	112 from mobiles.
🇻🇳 Vietnam	113	115	114	Very limited English outside cities.
🇵🇭 Philippines	117	911	911	911 unified in many areas.

Africa & Middle East

Country	Police	Ambulance	Fire	Notes
🇦🇪 UAE	999	998	997	English widely understood.
🇿🇦 South Africa	10111	10177	10177	Private ambulance (Netcare 911): 082 911.
🇪🇬 Egypt	122	123	180	Tourist police: 126.
🇲🇦 Morocco	19	15	15	In cities. Rural coverage limited.
🇰🇪 Kenya	999	999	999	112 from mobiles.
🇮🇱 Israel	100	101	102	English widely spoken.
🇹🇷 Turkey	155	112	110	112 works for all.

Tips for Calling Emergency Services Abroad

Knowing the number is only half the battle. Here's how to actually get help when it matters.

🗣️

Language Barrier

Speak slowly and clearly. Start with your location. Many emergency services have access to interpreters, but it may take a moment. Key phrases to learn in the local language: "Help", "Ambulance", "Police", and your hotel/address.

📍

Share Your Location

Open Google Maps or Apple Maps and read out your GPS coordinates or the pin address. This is much more reliable than trying to describe where you are. Some countries support location sharing via SMS to emergency services.

📵

No SIM or Signal?

Emergency calls usually work without a SIM card and across any available network. On most phones, you can dial emergency numbers from the lock screen. On iPhone, press the side button 5 times rapidly for Emergency SOS.

💳

Will I Be Charged?

In most countries, emergency ambulance and fire services are free at the point of use. Notable exceptions: the US (ambulance bills can be thousands), and some countries where private ambulance services are faster than public ones.

If You Can't Speak, or Can't Be Understood

Some of the worst emergencies are the ones where you can't talk — an assault, a stroke, an asthma attack, or a language wall you can't get over fast enough. Every one of these has a route through.

🤫

Silent calls in the UK and Ireland

In the UK, if you dial 999 and cannot speak, you will be prompted to cough, tap the handset, or press 55 on a mobile — that transfers the call to police as a genuine silent emergency. Staying silent without responding does not automatically send help. In Ireland, stay on the line: 112/999 operators trace the call and treat an open silent line as suspicious.

💬

Emergency SMS

The UK's emergencySMS service and Ireland's 112 SMS service let deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired users text the emergency services — but both require you to register your phone in advance. Do it before you travel; it takes two minutes and is useless the moment you actually need it if you haven't.

🛰️

Automatic location data

Modern Android and iPhone handsets send Advanced Mobile Location (AML) to the control room automatically when you dial an emergency number in most of Europe — far more precise than mast triangulation, and it works even if you can't say where you are. Cars sold in the EU since 2018 also carry eCall, which dials 112 and transmits the crash location on its own.

📶

Roaming, and no signal at all

An emergency call does not need roaming credit or an active data plan — it will use any operator's network in range. If no network reaches you, walk to higher ground and try again; some newer iPhone and Pixel models can also route an emergency text via satellite. Write your destination's number on paper too: a dead battery beats every app on this page.

Useful Apps to Have

Download these before you travel — they work offline or with minimal data.

📱 TravelSafe Pro

Shows emergency numbers for your current location automatically using GPS. Works offline.

📱 what3words

Gives you a precise 3-word address for any location on Earth. Emergency services in 40+ countries now accept what3words addresses.

📱 Google Translate

Download the language pack for your destination. The camera translation feature can read signs and documents in real time — incredibly useful in a medical emergency.

📱 Your Country's Travel Advisory App

The UK has FCDO Travel Advice, the US has Smart Traveler (STEP), Australia has Smartraveller. These send real-time alerts about safety issues in your destination.

Remember

This guide is for reference only. Emergency numbers and procedures can change. Always verify the local number when you arrive at a new destination. Your hotel reception, Airbnb host, or a quick local search can confirm what to dial.

Need country-specific healthcare info?

ViscaCare gives you detailed healthcare guidance for 190+ countries - including local emergency contacts.

🚨 Emergency Numbers Around the World

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