Each year, 150 million Europeans travel to another European Union country for work or pleasure. But 65% of them feel less safe when outside their home country. There are more than 60 emergency numbers operational in the EU, but only 1 that enables you to reach – directly and free of charge – all emergency services (fire, police, medical) in any of the bloc's 27 member countries: 112.
95% of European citizens agree on the usefulness of a single emergency number that functions anywhere in the EU. The 112 number is a citizen request. Imagine you are in an emergency abroad and can’t remember the national emergency number(s). Don’t panic, wherever you are in the EU, you can call the European emergency number.
You can use 112 from fixed-line telephones, including payphones, or mobile phones. It is always free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Several non-EU and non-European countries are implementing 112. Even in the United States, if you dial 112 from a mobile phone, it will be handled like a call to 911.
Unfortunately, few citizens are aware of the European emergency number. In 2010, only 25% of Europeans could identify 112 as the EU-wide number. “112 is a service for all European citizens: it is really a pity that they are not aware of it. All together, we have to succeed in making this number known by every European citizen,” commented Emmanuel Paul, president of the 112 Foundation, a Brussels-based foundation dedicated to the promotion of the European emergency number. “Please notice that, each year, 11th February marks the European 112 Day: feel to promote 112 on this occasion.”
