Emergency Services and Numbers Netherlands: Expat Guide 2026

For broader healthcare context see navigate Dutch healthcare in English and find an English-speaking doctor.

Quick answer: Call 112 for a life-threatening emergency, 0900-8844 for non-urgent police matters, and the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsen-spoedpost) for urgent medical problems when your own GP is closed.

The Numbers You Need

Save these in your phone now, before you need them:

Sources: politie.nl, brandweer.nl, 113.nl, kindertelefoon.nl, veiligthuis.nl, anwb.nl, Thuisarts.

When to Call 112

112 is available 24 hours a day and gives access to the ambulance, police and fire brigade. In a medical emergency, you are also told what to do until the ambulance arrives (Thuisarts). Call it for:

• A life-threatening medical situation
• A crime in progress or an immediate threat to your safety
• A fire
• A serious accident with injuries

For things that have already happened or can wait, the police ask you to use 0900-8844 or an online report instead (politie.nl). For medical questions that are not life-threatening, call your GP, or the out-of-hours service when the practice is closed.

112 is toll-free and can be used in all EU member states. The operator who answers alerts the right emergency service: fire brigade, police or ambulance (Government.nl). Have your location ready when you call: street, house number and city, or the nearest landmark.

The Huisartsenpost: Out-of-Hours GP Service

Your own GP (huisarts) can be called on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. On weekdays between 5 pm and 8 am, on weekend days and on public holidays, the out-of-hours service (huisartsen-spoedpost) is a central office where GPs are available on call (Thuisarts).

The process, according to Thuisarts:

1. Look up the number on your GP practice’s website, or listen to the practice’s answering machine. Or search for “huisartsen-spoedpost” plus your place of residence.
2. You speak to a specially trained GP assistant, who asks for your name, date of birth and health insurance details, and asks questions to judge how serious your problem is.
3. The outcome may be advice or medication, a call back from the GP on duty, an appointment at the out-of-hours service, or a home visit.

Often you can also email or chat with the service, and sometimes you first fill out a questionnaire. Save the number now, while you are calm.

Health insurance: a visit to your GP is paid for by your insurer if you have Dutch health insurance (Thuisarts), and no eigen risico applies to GP care, including the out-of-hours GP service (Rijksoverheid). If you rely on international or expat insurance instead of Dutch basic insurance, check what it covers. See Dutch health insurance plans.

Hospital Emergency Care

Hospital care, including the emergency department (spoedeisende hulp), and ambulance transport are part of the basic health insurance package, and the eigen risico applies to them (Rijksoverheid, basispakket). In a life-threatening emergency, call 112. For other urgent medical problems, Thuisarts’ advice is to call your GP or the out-of-hours service first. For the broader picture, see our Dutch healthcare system explained.

Police: Emergency vs Non-Emergency

The police use two numbers: 112 in an emergency and 0900-8844 when it is not urgent (politie.nl). Examples:

• 112: a crime in progress, immediate danger, serious violence, a major accident with injuries.
• 0900-8844: a theft or burglary that already happened, suspicious activity that is not urgent, other matters that can wait.
• politie.nl: the police website has forms for reporting a crime or making a report (aangifte of melding doen). Choose the form that matches your situation. Keep the aangifte or reference number, because an insurer may ask for it. For bicycle theft, see our cycling insurance guide.

If your passport is lost or stolen, also contact your embassy or consulate.

Mental Health Emergencies

• 113 Zelfmoordpreventie: call 113 for free, or start an online chat. It is anonymous and available day and night. If your life is in immediate danger, call 112 (113.nl).
• Mental health crisis: contact your GP or the out-of-hours service immediately. If necessary, the GP can contact the local Crisis Intervention Team, available 24/7 (Thuisarts).
• Persistent concerns: start with your GP. The GP treats mild problems, often with a practice nurse for mental health (POH-GGZ), and refers you to basic or specialised mental health care (GGZ) if needed (Rijksoverheid).

Mental health care is part of the basic package. For the broader landscape, see our mental health support for expats guide.

Fire and Smoke Detectors

For a fire, call 112. The fire brigade has a separate number, 0900-0904, for non-urgent matters (brandweer.nl). The fire brigade says smoke detectors (rookmelders) are mandatory on every floor of your home, and that most last about ten years (brandweer.nl).

Domestic Violence and Safety

Veilig Thuis is the national advice and reporting point for domestic violence and child abuse: 0800-2000, free, 24/7 and anonymous. You can also use their chat on veiligthuis.nl. There are 25 regional Veilig Thuis organisations covering the country (veiligthuis.nl). Call 112 if you are in immediate danger.

For young people, De Kindertelefoon (0800-0432) listens to children and teenagers by phone and chat, and you do not have to give your real name (kindertelefoon.nl).

For LGBTQ-specific safety resources, see our LGBTQ life in NL guide. To report discrimination, see the reporting page of discriminatie.nl.

Lost Bank Cards

Act quickly. Block the card through your bank’s app or its 24-hour line (see your bank’s website), and report unauthorised transactions to your bank. File a police report (aangifte) if you suspect theft.

Roadside and Vehicle Emergencies

For accidents with injuries, call 112. For a breakdown without injuries, the ANWB Alarmcentrale is 088-269 2888, also for breakdowns along the motorway (anwb.nl). The fastest way to report a breakdown is online or through the ANWB Onderweg app. Wegenwacht is a membership service; see our ANWB guide.

Common Expat Mistakes

• Calling 112 for something that can wait. Use your GP, the out-of-hours service or 0900-8844 instead.
• Not knowing where to call at night. Find your out-of-hours number now.
• Not knowing your address. Practise your street name and house number, and keep your address written down where you can see it.

Building Your Personal Emergency Card

• Your full address
• Your BSN
• Health insurance company and policy number
• Allergies and medications
• Emergency contact name and phone
• Embassy or consulate phone for your home country

Final Thought

Most people only need these numbers rarely. Know the three that matter: 112, 0900-8844 and the number of your out-of-hours GP service. For the broader picture of settling in, see our first 30 days in the Netherlands checklist.

Sources: Thuisarts (In case of emergency, thuisarts.nl), politie.nl, 113 Zelfmoordpreventie (113.nl), Veilig Thuis (veiligthuis.nl), Government.nl: emergency number 112, Rijksoverheid: eigen risico.