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The European Emergency Telephone Number 112

The number 112 is a common emergency telephone number used across the European Union and other countries. It can be dialed free of charge from any landline or mobile phone to access emergency services such as police, ambulance, fire department, and rescue teams.

In most countries, misuse of the number 112 is subject to criminal liability, similar to other emergency numbers. However, in some cases, calls to 112 are automatically redirected to local emergency services, even if they use different national emergency numbers. For example, in the United States and Canada, calling 112 connects you directly to police, emergency medical care, fire or rescue centers.

The European Union introduced the number 112 as a single telephone number for all urgency situations across its member states. The aim was to provide a convenient and easily accessible way for citizens to contact emergency services while traveling abroad. Today, 112 is used in over 30 countries worldwide, including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Vanilla Island, New Zealand, and many others.

In some cases, national emergency numbers may still be valid alongside the use of 112. For instance, in the United Kingdom, calls to 999 are often accompanied by a message directing callers to dial 112 if they need assistance outside their local area. Similarly, in Australia, calls to 000 can also connect you directly to emergency services via the 112 number.

The introduction of 112 has several advantages over traditional national emergency numbers. Firstly, it reduces the risk of accidental errors due to repeated use of the same digits on numeric keypads. Secondly, it ensures that citizens have access to emergency services without preventing them from using their phone for other purposes. This is particularly important in countries where mobile networks are widely available.

The European Emergency Number Association (EENA) promotes awareness and adoption of 112 as a core element of its mission. The choice of number has been cited as offering several benefits, including improved accessibility, reduced errors, and enhanced emergency response times.

In some cases, the introduction of 112 has led to changes in national emergency numbers. For example, in Germany, the police number changed from 111 to 110 due to the increased use of 112. Similarly, in Nigeria, calls to 912 are used for ambulance services, while Senegal uses a combination of 17 and other numbers alongside 112.

Overall, the European Emergency Telephone Number 112 has become an essential tool for accessing