Emergency Telephone Numbers in the Netherlands

Who to call and what to say in an emergency...
Useful Emergency Words and Phrases
English | Dutch |
---|---|
Call an ambulance | Bel een ambulance |
Call the police | Bel de politie |
Call the fire brigade | Bel de brandweer |
Get/Call a doctor | Haal/bel een dokter |
I am ill | Ik ben ziek |
Emergency Services, Telephone Numbers and Websites
Service | Contact |
---|---|
Police, Ambulance, Fire | Tel: 112 |
National Police (non-emergency) | Tel: 0900 8844 Website |
Telephone (KPN) | Tel: 0800 0407 |
Gas, Electricity Emergency | Tel: 0800 9009 |
Sea Rescue / Coast Guard (Kustwacht) | Tel: 0900 0111 Website |
Tourist Medical Service (ATAS) | Tel: 020 592 3355 |
Breakdown Service (ANWB) | Tel: 088 2692 888 Website |
Animal Ambulance | Website (in Dutch) |
Operators for the Pan-European emergency number (112) speak English and will contact the appropriate emergency service. Calling 112 is free from any telephone (mobile cellular or fixed-line).
- The noodsituaties ("emergency situations") website has practical information on what to do in a variety of crisis situations.
Doctors and Minor Medical Emergencies
In the case of minor or non-urgent medical problems, patients should contact their doctor for advice. They will arrange a home visit, urgent appointment or refer the patient to a hospital for treatment. Patients with non-life threatening illnesses who arrive at a Dutch hospital may be refused treatment if they do not have a doctor’s referral.
Most general practitioner’s surgeries are open Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00.
To search for a local GP (huisarts), see the Zorg Kaart website (in Dutch)
An out-of-hours doctor's service or medical clinic is called a huisartsenpost. There is not a central locator that covers the entire country but each region will have a central phone number or website that will offer advice in English on how and where to locate the nearest service.
Some starting points:
- Amsterdam out-of-hours doctor locator
- The Hague out-of-hours medical clinic (part of the hospital, website in Dutch)
- Noord-Brabant out-of-hours medical clinic (in Dutch)
Emergency dental treatment
Like doctors, dentists in a given area usually rotate being on out-of-hours duty. There is no central phone number to arrange an emergency dental treatment; each practice offers their own out-of-hours phone service.
If you don't have your own dental practice, here are a few starting points:
- Find a local dental practice. Website is in Dutch - input any postcode or place name to find a clinic nearby
- Make an emergency dental appointment with Dental365, in Amsterdam and The Hague. Tel: 085 10 50 750. Dentists are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and walk-in hours are 08:00 - 23:00
24 Hour Pharmacies (Apotheek)
Most chemists open Monday to Friday 08:30-17:30 and some are open Saturday morning as well. Dutch pharmacies follow a rota system, which means that there is always one open out of hours (i.e. nights, weekends and public holidays).
- To find an on-duty pharmacy Tel: 020 694 8709
A list of 24-hour pharmacies is also displayed in chemist windows and in free local newspapers under Medical Assistance (Medische Diensten)
Emergency Pharmacies
A list of 24-hour pharmacies is displayed in chemist windows and in free local newspapers under Medical Assistance (Medische Diensten).
Other Useful Numbers
Service | Telephone |
---|---|
Directory Enquiries National | Tel: 0900 8008 |
Directory Enquiries International | Tel: 0900 8418 |
Public Transport Information | Tel: 0900 9292 |
Crime line - M: to report crime anonymously (Meld Misdaad Anoniem). Reports can be made in English; the line is open daily. | Tel: 0800 - 7000 Tel: +31 800 7000 (from outside the Netherlands) Website |
Lost Property (gevonden voorwerpen)
Public transport or place | Website |
Air Raid Sirens
Air raid sirens are used in the event of a national emergency. At noon (12 midday) on the first Monday of every month the sirens are tested.
Further Information
- Information on the 112 number from the European Commission website