Emergencies
Emergency Numbers
In the Netherlands, ambulances are reserved for life-threatening emergencies. The most important number to remember in the event of a life-threatening emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke, is 112. This number can be called to send an ambulance, police, and firefighters. The operators will determine whether your case calls for urgent attention and will be able to assist you in English.
Ambulance, Police, Fire (Emergency) — 112
National Police (non-emergency) — 0900 8844
Outage Gas, Electricity — 0800 9009
Sea Rescue / Coast Guard (Kustwacht) — 0900 0111
Breakdown Service for Cars (ANWB) — 088 2692 888 [This may require a subscription]
For non-life threatening emergencies, you can call your huisarts (general practitioner). They can advise you whether you should visit a hospital emergency room (spoedeisende hulp). If your huisarts is closed, you may reach out to nearby huisartsenpost. They can connect you with available doctors, who then invite you to their office, refer you to the hospital, or advise you to wait for your own huisarts.
If you require emergency dental care and have any of the following indicators: severe pain, a knocked-out tooth, persistent bleeding, and broken bones in your face you may contact the spoed tandarts (emergency dentist) Learn more.https://tandartsspoedpraktijk.nl/locaties/spoedpoli-leiden/
In the case of a broken bone (arm, leg, etc.) and you have someone who can drive you to the hospital or you can get there on your own, it is advisable to do that instead of calling an ambulance.
Sirens of the first Monday of the month
The Waarschuwingsstelsel or The Warning System is tested nationwide on the first Monday of every month at 12.00 noon to make sure it works properly. Do not be alarmed when you hear it.
In the event of an emergency siren at any other time, turn on your television or radio and tune in to a local station for further information.
NL-Alert for Crisis
Through the NL-Alert system authorities can notify people when there is an emergency in the area and send a text message to their mobile phones. The message describes the emergency and provides information about what to do in the situation.
All mobile phones will receive this message as long as they have reception and the NL-channel has been activated. You do not need to register or pay for this service.
