What are the emergency numbers to call (Samu, firefighter, etc.)?
Verified 10 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Deploying 116 117
Published on 22 March 2021
The experiment on 116 117 will be generalized to all France, in application of the decree no. 2016-1012 of july 22, 2016.
The information contained in this sheet will be modified during this generalization.
Some are emergency-related and some are for listening and advice.
Free calls are the rule.
Infographie - Emergency numbers
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Emergency numbers
Only in case of emergency, i.e. when a rapid intervention is necessary to protect people and/or property (fire, malaise, injured person...), you can alert the emergency services by short numbers:
- Samu (emergency medical assistance department), for example in case of heart failure, by calling the 15
- Firefighters, for example in the event of fire or road traffic accident, by dialing the 18
In any case, you can also dial the 112. You will then be directed to the right service according to your case. The 112 can be used in all European Union countries.
All calls to these numbers are free.
These numbers can be dialed from a landline or mobile phone.
Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You are deaf or hard of hearing or you are not able to call (talk), you can send a free text message to 114. You will then only communicate in writing with your correspondent.
This service is available 24/7.
The 114 can also be reached by videophone, after downloading the app on your smartphone.
If the situation is serious and you can move, you can go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Who shall I contact
If your case is not not urgent (headache, cold...), you can reach a doctor or a pharmacy on call, at night, on weekends and holidays.
You can obtain the list of doctors and pharmacies on call from your city council, especially on its website.
Who shall I contact
In some departments, a single, toll-free number, 116 117, is being set up on an experimental basis. This number is used to obtain:
- a medical board
- referral to a primary care doctor or a nursing home
- arranging a home visit if the person is unable to move
Who shall I contact
116,117
Experimental call number for access to the ambulatory care facility.
It concerns Corsica, the Pays-de-la-Loire and Normandy.
By telephone
116,117
Toll-free dial-in number, in the evening from 8:00pm, on weekends from Saturday lunchtime and on public holidays only (during the day during the week, the number is not accessible).
FYI
The remaining 15 is reserved for emergencies.
Who shall I contact
Emergency Police - 17 (by phone)
By telephone
Dial 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a breach of public order or a criminal offense. A team of police or gendarmes will be on hand.
You can also dial the 112. You will then be directed to the right service according to your case. The 112 can be used in all European Union countries.
If the situation is not an emergency, call your local police or gendarmerie.
FYI
You are deaf or hard of hearing or you can't call (to speak), you can send a free text message to 114. You will then only communicate in writing with your correspondent.
This service is available 24/7.
The 114 can also be reached by videophone, after downloading the app on your smartphone.
If you are a victim or witness to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, instant messaging (chat) allows you to chat with a police officer.
Chat history can be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet at any time.
If you are a victim or witness to an assault on public transport, you can contact an officer 24 hours a day:
- By phone at 3117
- By SMS at 31177.
You can also download the 3117 app.
This helps you locate your location more quickly, and also facilitates the triggering of agents.
Who shall I contact
Social Samu - 115
Homelessness Emergency and Reception Number
By telephone
115 (free from landline and mobile in metropolitan France and overseas)
Open from Monday to Sunday and operating 24 hours a day
This number is free, accessible 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, from all over the national territory.
This number helps meet the immediate needs of people seeking help: listening, assessing, responding, emergency, referral or crisis follow-up.
If you're worried about a loved one, you can also call.
This number is also intended for professionals in contact with people in distress or seeking information on suicide and suicide prevention.
Who shall I contact
Suicide prevention: 31 14
By telephone
31,14
Professionals respond 24/7
Free call
Please note
Health Insurance lists possible aids to suicide prevention.
Thus, it puts forward a package:
- From assistance and listening devices if you are likely to experience a seizure or if you are a close relative
- Associations involved and offering support to people in need, especially young people.
Who shall I contact
Children in danger - 119
A phone number for any child or adolescent victim of violence or anyone concerned about a child's situation that is in danger or at risk of being in danger.
By telephone
119 (free and confidential call)
24/7
119 does not appear on phone records.
By foreigner phone
01 53 06 38 94
On www.allo119.gouv.fr
- Real-time chat for children under 21 (Mondays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Sign Language Translation Platform for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Online collection form to file a situation
The 116,111 The role in all European countries to help children in need of care and protection and to connect them with services and resources.
It allows any child in danger or anyone with knowledge of a situation of children in danger to call this number regardless of the European country in which they are located.
In particular, it allows children who transit through Europe and know this number to be helped when they arrive in France.
The 191 can be used for free 24/7, by:
- Any user in distress
- By any direct witness of an accident aircraft
- Anyone concerned about the disappearance of an aircraft and its occupants
Search and rescue operations can be initiated.
The VHF channel 16 (Very High Frequency) or the 196 number connects you to the Regional Operational Monitoring and Rescue Center (CROSS).
The 196 does not replace the VHF at sea, which is a priority for alerting and staying in contact with the CROSS and emergency equipment.
Who shall I contact
Rescue at sea
Regardless of the nature of the difficulty (for example, you see someone in difficulty at sea), contact the Regional Marine Surveillance and Rescue Operational Center (CROSS).
From the coast, by telephone (landline or mobile)
- 196 Free call from landline or mobile
- or the 112 Free Emergency Apple
At sea, by VHF
- Channel 16 VHF Radio (this mode of contact should be preferred at sea, as it allows rapid location)
- or by contacting a Regional Operational Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS)
Medical consultation at sea
medical consultation at sea:
Direct call from the Marine Medical Advisory Center (MMAC)
Tel. : + 335 34 39 33 33
Inmarsat: 32 or 38
Who shall I contact
Marine Medical Consultation Center (MMAC)
For urgent medical consultation: 24/7
Live via satellite or mobile:
- 32 or 38 on INMARSAT
- +33 5 34 39 33 33
Through the CROSS along the coast:
- VHF channel 16
- By mobile: 196
For an elective doctor visit
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm
Live via satellite or mobile:
- 32 or 38 on INMARSAT
- +33 5 34 39 33 33
Through the CROSS along the coast:
- VHF channel 16
- By mobile: 196
Who shall I contact
Attack alert - kidnapping alert: 197
By telephone
197
When activated (activation of the "attack alert" and "removal alert" plans), this toll-free number is operational 24/7.
When an alert is issued and you have information that can help investigators, call the 197 (from France). Specialized police officers respond to you to take your testimony.
Who shall I contact
Missing Children - 116,000
Telephone reception and information service for families of missing or abducted children
By telephone
116,000 (free)
Accessible 7/7 and 24 hours a day.
European number operational from 28 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
By E-mail
Access to contact form
You should call the following numbers in order of priority until a contact is established.
European emergency number - 112
Emergency number to be used for a call from a European country or from a mobile phone
24/7
Free call
FYI
During the call, specify:
- That it is a “speleology accident”
- And that the “Technical Adviser” in spelunking should be alerted to the department.
In the event of an accident, call 112 then contact the departmental technical advisor on speleology.
If you are unable to contact 112, call a departmental technical advisor on speleology.
Otherwise, contact Spéléo-Secours-Français: 0800 121 123.
The call is free.
Who shall I contact
Spéléo-Secours-Français: 0800 121 123
By telephone
0800 121 123
Free call
Finally, it is possible to contact the gendarmerie.
Who shall I contact
FYI
During the call, specify:
- That it is a “speleology accident”
- And that the “technical advisor” in spelunking should be alerted to the department.
Dial-in numbers
Who shall I contact
Violence Women Info - 3919
Listen, inform and refer women victims of violence, and witnesses to such violence.
Addresses physical, verbal, or psychological abuse, at home or at work, and abuse of any kind (including sexual harassment, assault, and rape).
Does not deal with emergencies (it is not a police or gendarmerie service).
For other types of violence, 3919 provides a first-level response and directs or transfers to a useful number.
By telephone
39,19 (free call from a landline or mobile phone in metropolitan and DOM)
Open 24/7
Anonymous call
Call not on phone bills
Please note
3919 is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people via the site solidaritefemmes.org or by application Roger Voice.
The 31,14 is free, accessible 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, from all over the national territory.
This number helps meet the immediate needs of people seeking help: listening, assessing, responding, emergency, referral or crisis follow-up. People who are worried about a loved one may also call.
It is also intended for professionals who are in contact with people in distress or who are seeking information about suicide and suicide prevention.
Who shall I contact
Suicide prevention: 31 14
By telephone
31,14
Professionals respond 24/7
Free call
Health Insurance lists possible aids to suicide prevention.
Thus, it puts forward a package:
- From assistance and listening devices if you are likely to experience a seizure or if you are a close relative
- Associations involved and offering support to people in need, especially young people.
Who shall I contact
Abuse of the elderly and disabled - 3977
Listen, support and help for the elderly or disabled, for carers and for witnesses of abuse against them.
By telephone
3977
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm.
Free service + cost of a call to a fixed number, from a fixed or mobile phone.
Who shall I contact
Heatwave info service
Information on the heatwave and the main recommendations to follow in case of heat.
By telephone
0800 06 66 66 call and free service, from a landline
Open from 9:00am to 7:00pm
False Alarm Offense
National call number for access to ambulatory care
Date of implementation of 116 117
Circular on the implementation of 31 14 (suicide prevention)
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior