112 emergency number

112 is the main emergency number in the Netherlands. It should be used for urgent assistance in life-threatening situations or if you witness a crime. 

Calling the 112 emergency number in the Netherlands

Calls to this number are free of charge and can be made from a landline or a mobile phone, even if your phone is locked, you have no prepaid credit, or you have no SIM card.

If your phone has no mobile signal, you cannot call 112, but your phone will automatically search and connect to any other available network to try to place the call. 

If for some reason you cannot use a phone, you can make use of the 112NL app (see below). It's not normally possible to text 112. 

In the Netherlands, calls are answered on average after eight seconds. The operator - who can usually be expected to be able to speak English, German or French as well as Dutch - will alert the appropriate emergency service, depending on the nature of your emergency. 

112 instructions

Call 112 and wait until you are connected to an operator. If an operator does not answer your call immediately, do not hang up; every repeated call is considered a new one and is put at the end of the queue.

When you connect to an operator, explain:

• What has happened
• What assistance is needed
• What type of emergency service you think is required

Although emergency services should be able to identify where you are physically located, always indicate your location and if possible, briefly explain how to reach you.

Stay calm and make sure your answers are precise, brief and clear. Answer all the questions asked and follow the operator’s advice. Do not hang up until the operator asks you to.

Try to keep your phone line free after hanging up, as you may receive calls for additional information. You should call again only if there is more to report or the situation changes.

Call 112 in case of:

• Fire, smoke or explosives
• Serious accidents
• Someone attempting to steal or damage a vehicle or property
• Someone trapped, injured, unconscious, bleeding or suffocating
• You witnessed a suicide attempt

Do not use 112:

• Just for fun or to check if it actually works (hoax 112 calls are considered to be a criminal offence in most EU countries)
• To report the same accident or emergency again
• To call a taxi or get information about transportation
• For contact details for doctors, dentists, pharmacies and so on
• For minor accidents or incidents - either contact your regular doctor or dentist, or go to a hospital

Using the 112NL app

The Netherlands also has an alternative option for people who are unable to call the 112 emergency number. If you cannot communicate with an operator as a result of:

• A speech or hearing impairment
• A language barrier 
• A life-threatening situation

You can get in touch with the emergency services via the 112NL app. The app is free to download on both the Apple App and Google Play stores and operates in 109 different languages, including English.

Using 112 in other countries

112 is a single emergency telephone number that allows European citizens and travelers within the EU to contact emergency services for assistance in all member states. In order to ensure a quicker and more efficient intervention, 112 operates either alongside the national emergency numbers or as the main emergency number, depending on the country.

112 operates in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican and the United Kingdom. 112 is also available worldwide on GSM mobile networks.

Since each member state is responsible for its own national civil protection system, the operator may transfer your call to the appropriate emergency service or deal with your request directly.