112: The European Emergency Number

112 is the free emergency number throughout the European Union. How does it work? What happens when you call in France? Can you use it on a mobile phone without a local SIM card? Everything you need to know before travelling.

What is 112?

112 is the single European emergency number, available free of charge in all 27 EU member states, as well as in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It was established in 1991 to provide travellers with one easy-to-remember number that works across borders [1].

In some countries (Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states, Romania and Malta), 112 has replaced all national emergency numbers. In other countries, including France, it operates alongside existing numbers.

Calling 112 in France

When you dial 112 in France, your call will be answered either by:
– the fire brigade (sapeurs-pompiers), same as calling 18, or
– the emergency medical services (SAMU), same as calling 15.

The operator will assess your situation and dispatch the appropriate emergency services (ambulance, fire brigade, police) or transfer your call to the right service.

Key point: French emergency operators may not always speak fluent English, but interpretation services are available. Speak slowly, stay calm, and be prepared to describe:
– your location (address, landmarks, GPS coordinates if possible);
– the nature of the emergency (accident, fire, medical emergency...);
– the number of people involved and their condition;
– your phone number so they can call you back.

Do not hang up until the operator tells you to.

Using 112 from a mobile phone

Calling 112 from a mobile phone offers several advantages:

Works across all networks
The 112 call is routed through any available network, even if you’re not a customer of that operator. If your phone displays "Emergency calls only", it means another network is available and you can still call 112.

Priority call
112 calls take priority over regular calls, so you should be able to get through even when networks are congested.

Geolocation
Your call is automatically geolocated, helping emergency services find you faster.

Do I need a SIM card?

In France, you need an active SIM card to call 112 from a mobile phone. Calls without a SIM card have been blocked since 2004 due to a high volume of prank calls.

However:
– You do not need credit on a prepaid SIM – emergency calls are always free.
– Your SIM can be from any country – roaming rules ensure emergency calls work across the EU.
– The phone must be unlocked.

Tip for travellers: If you’re visiting France without a local SIM, keep your home country SIM active – it will allow you to call 112.

The eCall system in vehicles

If you’re driving a car registered after April 2018 in the EU, it is equipped with eCall, an automatic emergency call system [2].

In the event of a serious accident (airbag deployment, rollover...), eCall automatically dials 112 and transmits:
– your exact GPS location;
– the time and direction of travel;
– vehicle identification;
– whether the call was triggered automatically or manually.

A voice connection is also established. If no one answers, emergency services are dispatched automatically based on the location data.

You can also trigger eCall manually by pressing the SOS button in the car – useful if you witness an accident or need assistance.

Other emergency numbers in France

While 112 works for all emergencies, you may also use these specific numbers if you know what service you need:

All these numbers are free and available 24/7.

If emergency services call you back

Since October 2024, French emergency services use a single callback number: 0 800 112 112. If you see this number on your phone after calling for help, answer it – it’s not spam. The operator may need additional information about your location or situation.

Tips for travellers

– Save 112 in your phone contacts before you travel.
– 112 works in all EU countries – it’s the only number you need to remember.
– If you don’t speak French, try to state the nature of your emergency in simple English ("fire", "accident", "help", "medical") and give your location.
– On motorways, use the orange emergency phones (bornes d’appel d’urgence) – they automatically transmit your location to rescue services.
– Never hang up before the operator tells you to.
– If you call 112 by mistake, stay on the line and tell the operator – otherwise they may send emergency services to check on you.

European Emergency Day: 11 February

Each year on 11 February (11.2), the EU promotes awareness of the 112 number. Surveys show that in 2025 only 50% of Europeans knew they can dial 112 in any EU country – yet it could save your life or someone else’s.

More information

– European Commission – The 112 number: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa....
– European Emergency Number Association (EENA): https://www.eena.org/
– Your Europe – Emergency services: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...
– French government – Emergency numbers: https://www.service-public.fr/parti...