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Heading off on a European break is meant to be all about switching off, but there’s one number worth learning before you put your phone on silent. Whether you’re exploring a city, hiring a car, or relaxing by the beach, emergencies can happen without warning.

If you or someone near you is injured, threatened or in immediate danger while in the European Union, a simple three-digit call can put you through to help. The number is 112: the European emergency phone number. It is available across the EU, and it’s free to dial.

It connects callers with emergency services, including the police, medical services, and the fire brigade. It can be vital for tourists who may not know a country’s local emergency contacts, or who are unsure which service they need in a crisis.

The European Emergency Number Association (EENA) says: “112 is the European emergency number, available free of charge, 24/7, anywhere in the European Union. Citizens can dial 112 to reach the emergency services, including the police, emergency medical services and the fire brigade.

“EENA believes that having a common emergency number everywhere in Europe is directly benefiting citizens and visitors.” It adds: “But, unfortunately, this potentially life-saving number is largely unknown.”

The advice goes on: “A specially trained operator will answer any 112 call. The operator will either deal with the request directly or transfer the call to the most appropriate emergency service, depending on the national organisation of emergency services.”

In many countries, operators can answer in more than one language. The European Commission explains: “Operators in many countries can answer the calls not only in their national language, but also in English or French.

“If the caller does not know where he is, the operator will identify where the person making the call is physically located and will pass it to the emergency authorities so that these can help immediately.”

In many places, you can dial 112 alongside domestic emergency numbers. However, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Sweden use 112 as their sole national emergency number.

Travellers are urged to treat 112 exactly as they would the UK’s 999: it should not be used for non-urgent queries, weather updates or traffic information. Hoax calls are a criminal offence in many countries.

EENA’s advice to anyone who needs to dial 112 is to stay calm and wait for the operator to answer, then give your name, explain what has happened, who is involved and where you are. Follow instructions carefully, and call back if the situation changes.