Know the local numbers
There’s no single worldwide emergency number, so save your destination’s before you land. 112 works across the EU and on most GSM phones (often even without a local SIM); 911 is North America; 999 the UK; and many countries split police, fire, and ambulance across separate numbers. Several also offer a multilingual tourist hotline that can interpret and relay to emergency services. The country guides below list the exact numbers.
Medical care & insurance
For a serious emergency, call the local ambulance number. For minor issues, pharmacies handle common ailments almost everywhere, and big cities usually have clinics or hospitals with English-speaking staff. Crucially, most countries make foreign visitors pay out of pocket — buy travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation before you go, and keep the assistance number handy.
Staying safe
Normal precautions travel well anywhere: watch your belongings in crowds, use licensed taxis or a trusted ride-hailing app, keep a copy of your passport separate from the original, and note your embassy or consulate contact in case you lose documents or need help. Check your government’s travel advisory for the destination before you book.
Emergency numbers by country
Plan your trip
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Frequently asked questions
What's the emergency number where I'm going?
It varies by country, so check before you travel. 112 is the standard across the EU and works on most GSM phones worldwide; 911 covers the US and Canada; the UK uses 999; and many countries have separate police/fire/ambulance numbers plus a tourist hotline. Each country guide below lists the exact numbers.
Does 112 really work everywhere?
112 is the single European emergency number and, thanks to the GSM standard, can often be dialed on a mobile even with no local SIM or a locked keypad — it routes to local services. But it isn't universal, so always confirm your destination's actual emergency numbers rather than assuming.
Do I need travel insurance?
Strongly recommended. In most countries foreign visitors pay out of pocket for medical care, and a serious problem or evacuation can be very expensive. Buy a policy that covers medical treatment and repatriation before you travel, and keep the emergency assistance number with you.
This is general safety information, not medical or legal advice. Emergency numbers vary by country — confirm your destination's in the country guides above, and in a real emergency call the local number immediately.