Short answer. In Belgium, call 112 for the fire brigade, an ambulance or the police in a life-threatening situation; a free 112 app exists 12. Call 101 for urgent police help, 1722 (or 1722.be) for non-urgent fire brigade help in storms or floods, 1733 for the duty doctor and 070 245 245 for the Poison Centre 12. In a crisis, 1771 is the national information number 3.
Which number should I call in Belgium?
| Number | Use |
|---|---|
| 112 | Fire brigade or ambulance (European emergency number); life-threatening emergencies, including police 12 |
| 101 | Urgent police assistance 1 |
| 1722 | Fire brigade help in storms or floods, preferably online at 1722.be 12 |
| 1733 | Duty doctor (médecin de garde) 12 |
| 070 245 245 | Poison Centre (centreantipoisons.be) 1 |
| 116 000 | Child Focus: missing or sexually exploited children 1 |
| 1771 | National information number during emergencies, when activated 3 |
| 1711 | Infrabel: emergency stop of train traffic 1 |
Official websites: 112 at https://www.112.be/ and 1722 at https://1722.be/fr/index.html 1.
When should I use 1722 rather than 112?
Use 1722 when you need non-urgent fire brigade help during a storm or flood. The NCCN advises doing it online at 1722.be where possible 12. Keep 112 free for life-threatening situations 12.
What is 1771?
The national information number, activated by the authorities during emergencies 3. Alongside it, official information comes through BE-Alert, radio, TV, websites and social media 3. See Emergency alerts in Belgium.
Which agencies are in charge?
| Agency | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| National Crisis Centre (NCCN / Centre de crise National / Nationaal Crisiscentrum) | Coordinates federal-phase crises; household preparedness advice 32 | https://centredecrise.be/fr |
| BE-Alert | Alerts to the population 3 | https://www.be-alert.be/fr |
| Nuclear risk information | Iodine tablets, nuclear emergency advice 4 | https://risquenucleaire.be/fr |
| Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (AFCN / FANC) | Federal nuclear control agency 4 | https://afcn.be/fr |
How do I keep these numbers to hand?
The NCCN asks you to keep, in the emergency backpack, a list of family and friends' phone numbers and of emergency numbers such as utilities, your doctor and your insurer, with a pen and paper 2. A charged power bank and phone charger are also on the backpack list 2. See How do I make a family emergency plan? and Which documents and how much cash to keep for an emergency?.
Frequently asked questions
Is 112 the only emergency number in Belgium?
112 works for fire, ambulance and life-threatening police emergencies; 101 is the dedicated number for urgent police help 1.
Who do I call for storm or flood damage?
1722, preferably online at 1722.be, for non-urgent fire brigade help; 112 if a life is in danger 12.
What is the Belgian Poison Centre number?
070 245 245 (centreantipoisons.be); in a life-threatening situation, call 112 1.
Sources
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Numéros utiles — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-pouvez-vous-faire/le-bon-reflexe/donnez-lalerte/numeros-utiles (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken — Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties — https://crisiscentrum.be/sites/default/files/documents/files/WEB-Brochure%20Samen%20voorbereid-NL.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Informer la population — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-font-les-autorites/gestion-de-crise/informer-la-population (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Incident dans une centrale nucléaire — https://centredecrise.be/fr/risques-en-belgique/risques-economiques-et-technologiques/incident-dans-une-centrale-nucleaire (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Belgium, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Numéros utiles checked 2026-10-20
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken · Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Informer la population checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Incident dans une centrale nucléaire checked 2026-10-20