Short answer. The general emergency number in Poland is 112. Service-specific numbers remain in use: 999 for an ambulance, 998 for the fire service and 997 for the police 1. If you cannot call, you can request help through the official Alarm112 app 1. Civil protection is led by the Interior Ministry (MSWiA), the State Fire Service and local authorities 2.
Which emergency numbers work in Poland?
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | General emergency number (or use the Alarm112 app if you cannot call) 1 |
| 999 | Ambulance 1 |
| 998 | Fire service 1 |
| 997 | Police 1 |
| 994 | Water and sewage emergency 1 |
| 993 | District heating emergency 1 |
| 992 | Gas emergency 1 |
| 991 | Power emergency 1 |
| 987 | Voivodeship crisis management centre 1 |
| 986 | Municipal guard (straż miejska) 1 |
Which support lines are available?
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 800 70 22 22 | Support centre for adults in mental crisis 1 |
| 116 123 | Helpline for adults 1 |
| 116 111 | Helpline for children and young people 1 |
| 800 12 12 12 | Children's helpline of the Ombudsman for Children 1 |
What if I cannot make a voice call?
You can request help through the official Alarm112 app 1. Installing it before an emergency, together with the RSO warning app described on our alerts page, avoids having to do it under stress.
Who is responsible for civil protection in Poland?
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji (MSWiA) | Ministry responsible for civil protection and civil defence 2 |
| Państwowa Straż Pożarna (PSP) | State Fire Service; inspects shelters and runs the gdziesieukryc.pl map 12 |
| Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (RCB) | Government Centre for Security; issues ALERT RCB messages 4 |
| Voivodes, district heads, mayors (wójt, burmistrz, prezydent miasta) | Territorial civil protection authorities that announce alarms and organise shelters 23 |
For local questions, such as where your nearest shelter or iodine distribution point is, your municipal office (urząd gminy) is the first contact 1. See public shelters and iodine.
How should I keep these numbers?
Write the key numbers in your household plan and keep a paper copy with your supplies, in case your phone is lost or out of battery. Our family emergency plan guide shows what to include, and our emergency supplies page lists what the Safety Guide asks households to keep, including a charged phone and power bank 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is 112 free and does it work for every emergency in Poland?
112 is the general emergency number in Poland 1. Service-specific numbers such as 999 (ambulance), 998 (fire) and 997 (police) also remain in use 1.
What number do I call for a gas leak in Poland?
992 is the gas emergency number 1.
What is 987 in Poland?
It is the number of the voivodeship crisis management centre 1.
Who sends emergency text messages to phones in Poland?
The Government Centre for Security (RCB) sends ALERT RCB messages 4.
Sources
- Rząd Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (publication 1/2025, ISBN 978-83-976775-0-0) — Poradnik bezpieczeństwa — https://poradnikbezpieczenstwa.gov.pl/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Sejm RP / Dziennik Ustaw — Ustawa z dnia 5 grudnia 2024 r. o ochronie ludności i obronie cywilnej (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1907) — https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20240001907/O/D20241907.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji / Dziennik Ustaw — Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 14 maja 2025 r. w sprawie alarmów i komunikatów ostrzegawczych (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 645) — https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2025/645/text.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa — Sygnały alarmowe — https://www.gov.pl/web/rcb/sygnaly-alarmowe3 (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Poland, 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
- Rząd Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (publication 1/2025, ISBN 978-83-976775-0-0) · Poradnik bezpieczeństwa checked 2026-10-20
- Sejm RP / Dziennik Ustaw · Ustawa z dnia 5 grudnia 2024 r. o ochronie ludności i obronie cywilnej (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1907) checked 2026-10-20
- Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji / Dziennik Ustaw · Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 14 maja 2025 r. w sprawie alarmów i komunikatów ostrzegawczych (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 645) checked 2026-10-20
- Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa · Sygnały alarmowe checked 2026-10-20