It's the small detail nobody thinks about until the worst moment. The reassuring part: it takes about two minutes to sort. A quick check of the local numbers, a note saved on your phone, and a couple of universal fallbacks, and you're covered for the situation you hope never comes.
Emergency numbers aren't universal
Different countries use different numbers, and assuming your home one works can waste precious seconds. There are a couple of helpful near-universals worth knowing. Across the EU and many other countries, 112 reaches emergency services — and in much of the world it'll connect even from a mobile with no SIM or credit. 911 works in North America and a number of other places. Many countries also have separate numbers for police, ambulance and fire rather than one combined line. Before you travel, look up the specific numbers for your destination and save them.
More than just the emergency line
Local emergency services are for genuine, immediate emergencies — but a well-prepared traveller carries a small set of other contacts too:
- Your travel insurer's 24-hour assistance line — for medical situations that aren't life-threatening but need guidance, referrals, or help arranging treatment and payment.
- Your nearest embassy or consulate — for lost passports, serious legal trouble, or large-scale emergencies.
- Your accommodation's address and phone — so you can find your way back or direct help to you.
Keep these together in one place — a note on your phone and, ideally, a written copy in case your phone is lost, stolen or dead.
Look up your destination
Pick a country below for its emergency numbers and a few local notes. Confirm them again close to your trip, since services and numbers can change.
Emergency numbers → by country
Indicative only — always confirm current local numbers for your specific destination before you travel.
Two minutes of prep
Before you go, build a tiny emergency card: the local numbers, your insurer's assistance line and policy number, the nearest embassy or consulate, and your accommodation's details. Save it in your phone's notes and set up the emergency or medical-ID feature most phones offer on the lock screen. Carry a paper copy too — the one time you need this is often the one time your phone has failed you — and make sure a travelling companion knows where to find it.
Go deeper
Questions
Is there a worldwide emergency number?
There's no single global number, but 112 works across the EU and many other countries — often even from a phone with no SIM or credit — and 911 covers North America and some others. Always check the specific numbers for your destination too.
Can I call emergency services without a SIM or credit?
In many countries, yes — emergency numbers like 112 can often be dialled from a mobile with no SIM, no credit, or even another network's signal. It's not guaranteed everywhere, so don't rely on it, but it's a useful fallback to know.
When should I call my insurer instead?
For medical situations that aren't immediately life-threatening — call your travel insurer's 24-hour assistance line for guidance, hospital referrals, and help arranging treatment and payment. For an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then notify your insurer.
When should I contact the embassy?
For things like a lost or stolen passport, serious legal trouble, being a victim of major crime, or large-scale emergencies such as natural disasters or unrest. Note your nearest embassy or consulate's details before you travel so you can reach them quickly if needed.
What if my phone is lost or dead?
This is exactly why a written copy matters. Carry a small paper card with the local emergency numbers, your insurer and policy number, the embassy, and your accommodation details — kept separately from your phone — so you're not helpless if your phone fails at the worst moment.
What's the medical ID feature on my phone?
Most smartphones let you set up an emergency or medical ID that's visible from the lock screen, showing key info and emergency contacts without unlocking the phone. It's worth enabling before you travel so responders can reach your contacts and see vital details if you can't help them yourself.
Emergency numbers and services vary by country and can change. This is general guidance only — always confirm the current local emergency numbers and your embassy and insurer details for your specific destination before you travel.