Need urgent help in France? This must-have list of French emergency numbers and helplines will help you in a variety of sticky situations. If you have a life-threatening crisis, you can call the Europe-wide emergency phone number If your situation is a little less serious, there are a wide range of other numbers and useful helplines that offer support.
Allianz Care is a world-leader in providing international health insurance. Their range of premiums provide professionally-designed solutions for a variety of expat lifestyles. So, wherever your life takes you, make sure you have the right health protection for you and your family with Allianz Care. There are three main emergency services in France: the medical service SAMU , the fire brigade sapeurs-pompiers , and the police Police Nationale or Gendarmerie Nationale.
In an emergency, you can call the following French numbers from any phone in France:. The French emergency services are also available by calling the Europe-wide emergency number You should use the numbers above in a genuine emergency or life-threatening situation, such as for serious medical issues, fire-related incidents and to report crimes. The French fire brigade les Sapeurs Pompiers is available by calling 18 on any phone.
Generally, the fire brigade is the first service to respond first to road injuries and domestic accidents. In rural areas, it is generally the fastest to the scene for all emergencies. The fire service coordinates with other emergency services where necessary.
It works closely with the medical service and employs professional, health, medical, as well as volunteer brigades. The Police Nationale conducts criminal enquiries and performs security operations such as traffic control. The Gendarmerie Nationale is operated by the armed forces. It carries out criminal investigations and security activities — for example at airports and military locations. Larger cities also often have a secondary municipal police force la police municipale. The municipal police have relatively limited powers and generally handle local law enforcement, such as dealing with traffic offenses and lost property.
