Emergency Numbers in Croatia: 112 and Tourist Help

Quick Answer: What Is the Emergency Number in Croatia?

Call 112 if someone is injured, in immediate danger, lost in a remote area or needs urgent assistance from emergency services.

The 112 service is free, available 24 hours a day and accessible from mobile and landline phones. It can coordinate several emergency services at once, receive calls in several foreign languages and accept SMS messages when a voice call is not possible.

Important: Do not rely on calling from a mobile phone without an inserted SIM card. Current Croatian operator reporting states that emergency calls from devices without a SIM card are disabled.

Essential Emergency Numbers in Croatia

Save these numbers before travelling:

• 112 – General emergency number
• 192 – Police
• 193 – Fire brigade
• 194 – Emergency medical service
• 195 – Maritime search and rescue
• +385 1 1987 – HAK roadside assistance from Croatia
• +385 1 4693 700 – HAK roadside assistance from abroad

When there is immediate danger, a serious accident or an injured person, call 112 rather than roadside assistance.

When Should You Call 112?

Call 112 whenever there is a threat to life, health, property or the environment. The operator will assess the situation and alert the appropriate emergency services.

Situations where you should call 112 include:

• A serious road accident
• A medical emergency
• Fire or heavy smoke
• A person missing at sea or in the mountains
• A boating or swimming emergency
• A dangerous fall while hiking
• Someone trapped in a vehicle or difficult terrain
• A major gas leak or damaged electrical installation
• Immediate danger caused by severe weather, flooding or wildfire
• A crime in progress or an immediate threat to personal safety

If you are unsure which service you need, call 112 and explain what has happened.

Can Visitors Call 112 in English?

Yes. Croatia’s 112 service can receive emergency calls in several foreign languages, including English, German, Italian, Hungarian and Slovak.

Start the call by stating the language you speak. Speak slowly, answer the operator’s questions and remain on the line until you are told to disconnect.

The Croatian Civil Protection Directorate manages the country’s 112 system and publishes official emergency guidance.

What to Tell the 112 Operator

Try to remain calm and provide clear, short answers. The operator will usually ask:

• What happened?
• Where did it happen?
• How many people are injured or in danger?
• What are their apparent injuries?
• What type of help is needed?
• Are there additional dangers such as fire, smoke, fuel, gas or electricity?
• Who is calling?

Give your precise location whenever possible. Include the town, street, building number, beach name, hiking trail, marina, island, road number or nearby landmark.

When driving, mention your direction of travel and the nearest motorway exit, tunnel, bridge or kilometre marker. At sea or in remote terrain, provide GPS coordinates if available.

Croatia’s 112 system can help determine a caller’s location, but you should still describe where you are as accurately as possible.

Can You Send an SMS to 112 in Croatia?

Croatia’s 112 service can receive SMS messages. This option is primarily intended for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, have speech difficulties or cannot safely make a voice call.

An emergency SMS should include:

• What happened
• Your exact location
• The number of injured or endangered people
• The type of assistance needed
• Your name

A voice call is generally faster when speaking is possible.

Medical Emergencies in Croatia

Call 112 or 194 if someone has a serious injury, breathing difficulties, chest pain, loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding, signs of stroke or another potentially life-threatening condition.

For less urgent health concerns, contact a local health centre, doctor or pharmacy. Pharmacy opening hours vary, and only some towns have an on-call or late-opening pharmacy. Your accommodation provider can often direct you to the nearest available medical service.

Bring the following information when seeking treatment:

• Passport or valid identification
• European Health Insurance Card, if eligible
• Travel insurance details
• A list of medications
• Information about allergies or existing medical conditions

European Health Insurance Card in Croatia

Eligible visitors from the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom can use the European Health Insurance Card for medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in Croatia.

The card applies at healthcare facilities and with doctors contracted by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. Private healthcare providers may require full payment.

The EHIC does not replace travel insurance. It does not generally cover private healthcare, repatriation, lost belongings or every rescue-related expense. Check the current conditions with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund before travelling.

Police Assistance, Crime and Theft

Call 112 when a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger. For direct police assistance, call 192.

If property has been stolen, avoid touching or moving items that may be evidence. Report the incident to the nearest police station and request a copy of the police report. You may need it for an insurance claim or replacement travel documents.

If your passport or official identification is lost or stolen, first report it to the police. Then contact your country’s embassy or consulate. Follow the detailed steps in our Lost Passport in Croatia guide.

Before departure, also check the current passport and visa requirements for Croatia.

Fire Emergencies

Call 112 or 193 if you see a fire that could threaten people, buildings, vehicles or the surrounding landscape.

Wildfires can spread quickly during hot, dry and windy weather. Do not approach a wildfire to take photographs. Move away from smoke and vegetation, follow instructions from emergency services and leave immediately if authorities order an evacuation.

When reporting a fire, describe the exact location, what is burning, whether people are trapped or injured and whether buildings, vehicles or fuel are nearby. Never assume that someone else has already reported the fire.

Emergencies at Sea

Call 112 or 195 for maritime search and rescue. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre operates continuously and coordinates rescue operations at sea.

Provide as much information as possible:

• Your location or GPS coordinates
• Type and name of the vessel
• Number of people involved
• Nature of the emergency
• Weather and sea conditions
• Description of a missing person or vessel
• Your contact number

If you are swimming, kayaking, sailing or boating, check weather and sea conditions before departure. Strong winds can develop quickly along the Croatian coast, particularly during the bora.

Mountain and Remote-Area Rescue

Call 112 if someone is lost, injured or trapped in mountains, national parks, caves or other difficult terrain. The operator can activate the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and other specialised rescue teams.

While waiting for help:

• Follow the operator’s instructions
• Stay in one place unless remaining there is dangerous
• Preserve your phone battery
• Keep the phone available for further calls
• Share your GPS coordinates or map location
• Use a whistle or light to help rescuers find you
• Keep the injured person warm and protected
• Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is immediate danger

Before hiking, download an offline map, check the weather, carry enough water and tell someone where you are going. Do not depend entirely on mobile coverage in remote areas.

Road Accidents and Vehicle Breakdowns

Call 112 immediately if a road accident involves injuries, fire, trapped passengers, dangerous materials or an immediate threat to other road users.

For a vehicle breakdown without injuries or immediate danger, contact the Croatian Automobile Club:

• Roadside assistance from Croatia: +385 1 1987
• Roadside assistance from abroad: +385 1 4693 700
• Traffic information from Croatia: 072 777 777
• Traffic information from abroad: +385 1 464 0800

HAK roadside assistance and towing are available 24 hours a day. Current road conditions and travel warnings are published on the official HAK website.

Our travelling by car in Croatia guide provides additional information about road rules, tolls, fuel and driving conditions.

How to Prepare Before Your Trip

A few simple preparations can make an emergency easier to manage:

• Save 112 and other important numbers in your phone
• Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank
• Save the address of your accommodation
• Download offline maps for remote destinations
• Carry your EHIC and travel insurance details
• Store a secure copy of your passport details separately
• Keep a list of medications and allergies
• Share hiking, sailing or driving plans with someone
• Carry basic first-aid supplies
• Check official weather, sea and road warnings before departure

A copy or photograph of an identity document may help after a loss, but it does not replace the original document.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main emergency number in Croatia?

The main emergency number is 112. It can coordinate police, firefighters, emergency medical teams, maritime rescue, mountain rescue and other specialised services.

Is 112 free in Croatia?

Yes. Calls to 112 are free from mobile and landline phones, and the service operates 24 hours a day.

Can visitors call 112 in English?

Yes. Croatia’s 112 system can handle emergency calls in English and several other foreign languages.

Can I call 112 without a SIM card in Croatia?

Do not rely on this. Croatian mobile operators disable emergency calls from mobile devices without an inserted SIM card.

Can I send a text message to 112?

Yes. SMS communication is available and is primarily intended for people who cannot communicate through a voice call. Include your location, what happened and the assistance required.

Who should I call for mountain rescue in Croatia?

Call 112. The operator can alert the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and coordinate other emergency teams.

Does the EHIC cover emergency treatment in Croatia?

The EHIC provides access to medically necessary treatment through Croatian public healthcare providers contracted by HZZO. It does not replace travel insurance and may not cover private treatment, repatriation or rescue-related costs.

Final Thoughts

Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free, but knowing who to call can save valuable time during an emergency. Remember 112 as the main number for urgent assistance and use it whenever someone is injured, in danger or requires coordinated rescue.

Save the emergency numbers before travelling, keep your phone charged and provide the clearest possible description of your location. Good preparation can make a major difference when fast assistance is needed.