Knowing the right emergency number can mean the difference between getting help in seconds and losing critical minutes. This guide covers verified emergency phone numbers for every region of the world, organized by continent and updated for 2026.

Why emergency numbers differ by country

There is no universal emergency number. While 112 works across the European Union and 911 is standard in North America, most countries operate their own systems with separate numbers for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Some countries have a single unified number. Others require you to call different services directly.

The consequence is simple: if you travel internationally, you need to know the local numbers before you need them. Searching for this information during an emergency is not a strategy.

Europe

112 is the unified emergency number across all EU member states and works in most European countries including non-EU nations like Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. However, many countries maintain their own traditional numbers alongside 112.

In France, 15 reaches SAMU (medical emergencies), 17 reaches police, and 18 reaches fire services. In Germany, 110 is police and 112 is fire and ambulance. In the United Kingdom, 999 is the traditional number alongside 112. In Italy, 112 now routes all emergencies, though 113 (police), 115 (fire), and 118 (medical) still function.

North America

911 is the standard emergency number in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It reaches a dispatcher who can route your call to police, fire, or medical services. In Mexico, 911 was adopted nationally in 2017, replacing the older 066 system.

Asia

Emergency numbers vary significantly across Asia. In Japan, 110 is police and 119 is fire and ambulance. In China, 110 is police, 119 is fire, and 120 is ambulance. In India, 112 is the unified number, though 100 (police), 101 (fire), and 108 (ambulance) remain active. In Thailand, 191 is police and 1669 is medical emergency.

South America

In Brazil, 190 is police, 192 is ambulance, and 193 is fire. In Argentina, 911 is used in Buenos Aires and major cities, while 101 (police), 107 (medical), and 100 (fire) work nationally. In Colombia, 123 is the unified emergency number.

Africa

Emergency infrastructure varies widely across Africa. In South Africa, 10111 is police and 10177 is ambulance. In Kenya, 999 and 112 both work. In Morocco, 15 is ambulance, 19 is police, and 15 is fire. In Nigeria, 112 is the official number though coverage is inconsistent outside major cities.

Oceania

Australia uses 000 as the primary emergency number, with 112 available from mobile phones. New Zealand uses 111 for all emergency services.

Middle East

In the United Arab Emirates, 999 is police, 998 is ambulance, and 997 is fire. In Israel, 100 is police, 101 is ambulance (Magen David Adom), and 102 is fire. In Turkey, 112 is the unified number, with 155 for police and 110 for fire.

How to prepare before you travel

Save the local emergency numbers in your phone before departure. Do not rely on Google searches during an emergency, especially in areas with poor connectivity. Consider that dialing from a foreign SIM card may require the international format.

Emergency numbers should be accessible offline. This is exactly what Weelp. provides: verified emergency numbers for all 195 countries, stored on your device, accessible without internet.

When 112 works and when it does not

112 is increasingly recognized globally. It works across the EU, in many parts of Asia and Africa, and is routed through to local services in several countries that do not officially use it. However, it is not universal. In the United States, 112 may work from some carriers but is not guaranteed. In China and Japan, it does not connect to emergency services. Always know the local number.