Short answer. In the Netherlands, dial 112 for police, fire service and ambulance; 112 can also be contacted through the 112NL app 12. For non-urgent matters, call the police on 0900-8844 or the fire service on 0900-0904, and for medical questions your GP or out-of-hours GP post 2. If 112 fails, an NL-Alert will give an alternative number 2.
Which numbers should I know?
| Need | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency: police, fire, ambulance | 112 1 |
| Police, non-emergency | 0900-8844 2 |
| Fire service, non-emergency | 0900-0904 2 |
| Medical, non-urgent | Your GP or out-of-hours GP post 2 |
Write these down on paper as well: the official kit includes a list of important phone numbers with copies of identity documents 3. See the kit page.
How do I reach 112?
By phone, or through the 112NL app 2. For situations that are not urgent, the government lists separate numbers for the police and the fire service, and the GP or out-of-hours GP post for medical questions 2.
What if 112 is not working?
If 112 is down, the government sends an NL-Alert with an alternative number to call 2. NL-Alert reaches almost all mobile phones by cell broadcast without registration 4; details are on the alerts page.
Which agencies are responsible?
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| NCTV, National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (nctv.nl) | Coordinates the Denk vooruit campaign 5 |
| Ministry of Justice and Security (rijksoverheid.nl) | Responsible ministry 5 |
| 25 safety regions (veiligheidsregio's) | Regional crisis management 2 |
| Nederland veilig (nederlandveilig.nl) | National crisis information 2 |
Where do I get information during a crisis?
From the regional public broadcaster, which is the emergency broadcaster, on radio or TV 2, from NL-Alert 4, and for national crises from Nederland veilig 2. Our family plan guide shows how to set up a contact chain in your household.
Frequently asked questions
Is 112 the number for police, fire and ambulance?
Yes. 112 covers all three 1, and can also be reached through the 112NL app 2.
Where do I find information in a large power cut?
Follow the regional public broadcaster on a battery radio and Nederland veilig for national crises 2. Our power outage guide covers what to do at home.
What is the non-emergency police number?
0900-8844 2.
Who coordinates emergency preparedness?
The NCTV (National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism) coordinates the Denk vooruit campaign 5.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid — Alarmnummer 112 — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/recht-veiligheid-en-defensie/alarmnummer-112 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rijksoverheid (Nederland veilig) — Noodnummers | Nederland veilig — https://www.nederlandveilig.nl/noodnummers (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) — Stel je noodpakket samen — https://www.denkvooruit.nl/bereid-je-voor/stel-je-noodpakket-samen (accessed 2026-10-20)
- NL-Alert (Rijksoverheid) — NL-Alert op jouw mobiel — https://www.nl-alert.nl/zo-werkt-nl-alert/nl-alert-op-jouw-mobiel (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rijksoverheid (Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid) — Overheid start campagne Denk vooruit: voorbereiden op noodsituatie steeds belangrijker — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/11/03/overheid-start-campagne-denk-vooruit-voorbereiden-op-noodsituatie-steeds-belangrijker (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Rijksoverheid · Alarmnummer 112 checked 2026-10-20
- Rijksoverheid (Nederland veilig) · Noodnummers | Nederland veilig checked 2026-10-20
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) · Stel je noodpakket samen checked 2026-10-20
- NL-Alert (Rijksoverheid) · NL-Alert op jouw mobiel checked 2026-10-20
- Rijksoverheid (Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid) · Overheid start campagne Denk vooruit: voorbereiden op noodsituatie steeds belangrijker checked 2026-10-20