Let’s say you are traveling in Europe. And you need help. And you do not know what to do exactly. You may need guidance, where to go, what to ask. There are a staggering 100 million recorded medical emergencies in Europe every year, ranging from heart attacks to terrorist attacks, but also including road accidents, fires and earthquakes.

112 is the single emergency telephone number for the European Union. It was established by Council Decision of 29 July 1991 (91/398/EEC) and reinforced through further legislation, namely the directive on the application of open network provision to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment.

European citizens in distress situations are able to call the 112 and get through to the emergency services in all Member States. Thus, anyone travelling within the Union has to remember only one number and this guarantees a quicker and more efficient intervention.

Where can you use the 112 number?
All EU member states have reported that the 112 emergency number is now in use.

Cars that can dial 112: Commission and industry target 2009

All new cars in Europe could be equipped with automatic emergency call (eCall) technology as soon as 2009 under a Commission/industry action plan agreed in Brussels in early 2005. This high-level meeting of industry leaders and representatives of EU Member States and the European Parliament received a progress report from the eSafety Forum, a pan-European public/private partnership that promotes road safety. The eCall action plan will be implemented across Europe, as part of the EU’s eSafety initiative.

For more information on country coverage and all data visit the European Union web page: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/prote/112/112_en.htmor,

Visit each country web site (where available from the table below)