Understanding the emergency and support services available in the Netherlands is essential for both residents and newcomers. The Dutch system provides comprehensive coverage through government-run services and non-governmental organizations, ensuring help is available when you need it most. This guide covers all the key services, contact information, and procedures you should know.
Emergency Services Overview
112: The National Emergency Number
In case of a life-threatening situation or an acute criminal situation, you should call 112. This is the Dutch emergency phone number, accessible from anywhere in the Netherlands and serves as a Europe-wide emergency helpline. By calling 112, you can contact the police, fire department, or medical care services.
When calling 112, clearly state what is happening, where you are, and which emergency services seem to be needed (police, fire department, or ambulance). The 112 operators can speak English and may also offer services in French or German. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call a text equivalent via 0800 8112 for 112 emergencies.
Non-Emergency Police Assistance
For non-emergency cases where you need to contact the police, you can dial 0900-8844 or file an official report through their website. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, for non-emergencies, you can call a text equivalent via 0900 1844.
There is also an anonymous tip-line to report crimes via 0800 7000. You can also file anonymously through Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800-7000 (weekdays: 8:00-24:00; weekend: 9:00-17:00).
Emergency Warning Systems
The Netherlands has several systems to alert residents of emergencies. Sirens are tested on the first Monday of the month at noon across the country. If you hear this sound at any other time, it’s a warning to go inside, shut all doors and windows, and turn on television or radio for updates. You can also check Crisis.nl for information in Dutch.
NL-Alert allows authorities to warn people in an emergency area by sending text messages to mobile phones. These messages describe the situation and give instructions, sent via cell broadcasting that works even if networks are overloaded. Most mobile phones receive NL-Alert messages automatically if the channel is activated.
You may also receive Amber Alerts on your phone with descriptions of missing children in your area, and weather alerts from KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) for severe weather warnings.Health and Mental Health Emergency Services
Medical Care and Ambulance Services
If you are not in an emergency but need to speak to a medical professional, you should first contact your GP (General Practitioner). For non-life-threatening emergencies during office hours, call your GP, whose office will have a separate emergency number or voice response system for immediate access.
Outside of office hours, you can call the GP after-hours surgery (huisartsenpost). This service is for urgent medical situations that cannot wait until regular office hours. Your GP should inform you how to reach the huisartsenpost, or you can search for the number in your area. The huisartsenpost assesses you by phone initially and, if necessary, a GP will visit your home or determine if you need treatment in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at a hospital.
Going directly to the A&E department (spoedeisende hulp) is for life-threatening situations requiring immediate specialist medical treatment. Attending A&E directly usually results in paying out of your health insurance deductible (eigen risico), whereas treatment from your GP or huisartsenpost is free. Bring identification and your health insurance pass if possible when attending A&E. Only the 112 emergency line or a GP can call an ambulance for you. For a list of hospitals in the Netherlands, you can visit Ziekenhuis.nl and search by zip code or province. For asylum-seekers in reception centres needing urgent medical care, contact the GZA (Asylum-Seeker Healthcare) Emergency Hotline at 088 – 112 2 112. This line is available 24 hours a day.
Mental Health Crisis Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact your GP or the huisartsenpost immediately. The GP can contact the local Crisis Intervention Team (available 24/7) if needed. For suicide prevention support, contact 113 Suicide Prevention at 0900 0113 or through chat on their website at 113.nl. They can be reached 24 hours a day, and all calls and chats are anonymous and confidential.
Specialized Medical Services
For emergency dental services, contact Dentist emergency services Haaglanden at +31 (0)70 311 03 05. For emergency dental help in Amsterdam and surrounding cities (including Haarlem), call 085 105 0757. For other areas, check tandarts.nl. You should first contact your registered dental practice as they may offer 24-hour services.
If you need prescription medication outside regular hours, visit Apotheek.nl for a list of pharmacies by location, including those open late or on weekends. Note that prescription drugs can only be prescribed by doctors in the Netherlands.
Social and Family Support Services
Domestic Violence and Abuse Support
If you need immediate help from domestic violence, call the police by dialing 112. They are authorized to intervene and keep you and your children safe.
For domestic violence, child abuse, and elderly abuse, you can contact Veiligthuis (National Hotline) at 0800 2000. This is a 24/7 free number. You can also chat anonymously with a specialist through the Veilig Thuis website between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Organizations providing information and support include Amsterdam Mamas (email: community@amsterdam-mamas.nl) and Kezban Foundation (tel: 06-12 50 7996, email: info@stichtingkezban.nl). For undocumented individuals and asylum seekers, there is ASKV/Steunpunt Vluchtelingen.
Victims can report incidents to the police by filing an aangifte (police report) or an aanmelden (for recording without pressing charges). Reporting can also be done anonymously through Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800-7000. Language assistance is available through courts that provide free translators, and a paid translation service called Tok Telefoon is available at 088 255 5222.
Child Support Services
For help with relationship problems that might affect children, contact Stichting Korrelatie at 0900 1450. Children between 8 and 18 can call the ChildLine (De Kindertelefoon) at 0800 0432 or chat online. They can discuss various issues like emotional health, problems with friends or parents, bullying, or school stress.
Sexual Violence Support
Vist this website for guidence on how to navigate sexual assault or rape, they can be reached via the telephone. The primary aid line for help after sexual violence is 020 613 0245. A Sexual abuse helpline is also available at +31 (0)70 362 04 96.
Addiction and Substance Abuse Support
Addiction care in the Netherlands includes help kicking the habit, drug consumption facilities, voluntary or mandatory treatment, and inpatient or outpatient care. Most people with a drug problem are treated in outpatient addiction care, which involves intervention, help quitting, improving quality of life, helping regulate consumption, assertive outreach, and prevention.
Inpatient care is more intensive and includes crisis care, detoxification, and treatment in clinics or psychiatric hospitals. For more information and help with drug addiction problems, you can contact addiction care facilities and the Municipal Health Services (GGD). You can also contact the Drugs Information line of the Trimbos Institute.
For Alcoholics Anonymous Netherlands (AA), you can call +31 20 625 60 57 or visit the AA Netherlands website. A general Drug Abuse helpline is available at +31(0)70 391 78 00.
Eating Disorder Support
Eating disorder treatment centers in the Netherlands are designed to be supportive and therapeutic environments. These facilities are not only for severe cases but cater to individuals across the entire spectrum of eating disorders, from mild to severe presentations.
Treatment typically involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that includes various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Nutritional counseling with a registered dietitian is a core component of treatment, and medication may be prescribed for co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
For individuals with severe or life-threatening eating disorders, residential treatment programs
are available, providing 24-hour medical and psychological support in a structured environment. These programs offer intensive care for those who need constant supervision and medical monitoring.
Outpatient programs are also widely available and include different levels of care: Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). These programs are often used as a step-down approach after residential care, allowing individuals to gradually transition back to their daily lives while maintaining therapeutic support.
Legal and Financial Support Services
Victim Support Netherlands can be reached at 0900-0101 for those who have experienced crime or accidents and need emotional and legal support.
Banking Emergencies
For stolen or lost banking cards, call 0800-0313 within the Netherlands or +31(0)30 283 53 72 from abroad to block all cards.
Fraud Reporting
The Fraud Helpdesk helps with any type of fraud, providing information and displaying active fraud warnings. Reach them at 088 786 7372 or via their website. For healthcare fraud, the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZA) has an online patients’ portal to report incorrect charges or excessive waiting times. For personal identity fraud, file an online claim with the National Office for Identity Data (RvIG).
Government Services and Consumer Protection
The Public Information Service, Government of the Netherlands can be reached at 1400 between 8 a.m to 8 p.m, Monday through Friday, for general government questions. Check your municipality’s website for local services or use Zoekplaats to find municipal information based on your zip code.
The Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) provides information on consumer rights and obligations. Contact them at 070 756 86 11 or via their website.
Utility and Animal Emergency Services
For gas and electrical emergencies, call 0800-9009 or visit the national gas and electricity failure website.
For veterinary emergencies in The Hague (08:00 – 20:00), call +31(0)70 325 59 07. The Animal ambulance (dierenambulance) can be reached at +31 (0)70 328 28 28. Each city has its own service, and the Federation of Animal Ambulances Netherlands (FDN) lists services by region on their website.
International Emergency Assistance
SOS International is the largest independent emergency centre of the Netherlands, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They help customers in unforeseen situations worldwide, providing personal assistance (personenhulp) and mobility assistance (mobiliteitshulp). For emergencies abroad, contact them at +31 (0)20 651 51 51.
Housing Support
For emergency shelter for homeless asylum-seekers, Stichting LOS (Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt) website lists organizations providing legal aid and shelter.