Urgent help

Need urgent help? Choose who to call now

If someone is in immediate danger, call 112. Is it urgent but not life-threatening? Choose what is going on below: medical emergency, mental crisis, insecurity or need someone to talk to.

Is someone in danger now?

Or is there a fire, serious violence or a crime going on? Don't wait and call 112.

Call 112 now
Route 1

Immediate danger: call 112

Call 112 if every second counts: in a life-threatening situation, fire, serious accident, acute violence or a crime that is happening now.

Unsure whether it is life-threatening?

Call 112 The emergency operator will assess which emergency services are needed and tell you what to do until help arrives.

Tell the emergency operator

  • where you are or where help is needed;
  • what is happening now;
  • whether someone is injured, unconscious, distressed or in immediate danger;
  • or police, fire department or ambulance seems necessary.

Do not put yourself in danger and follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Call 112
Route 2

No immediate danger to life, but need a doctor quickly

Weekdays during office hours: Call your GP. Evening, night, weekend or holiday: Call the out-of-hours GP service. Call before travelling to the service or emergency department.

How to find your local number

  • check the website of your own GP;
  • call your GP's usual number and listen to the recorded message;
  • search for ‘out-of-hours GP service’ plus your town or city.
Medicines, drugs, alcohol or possible poisoning?

Call 112 in immediate danger, severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness or a seizure. Otherwise call your GP or out-of-hours GP service and say what was taken, how much and when.

Route 3

Acute mental health crisis or crisis service GGZ

Call 112 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If there is no immediate danger to life but the mental health crisis cannot wait, Then call your GP, or outside office hours the out-of-hours GP service.

  • The GP or triage professional assesses how urgent the situation is.
  • If necessary, the regional mental health crisis service can be involved.
  • Are you already receiving treatment? Also use the crisis number or the arrangements in your crisis or safety plan or the arrangements made with your clinician.
  • A crisis service is usually not just a national helpline that you choose directly.

Explain clearly what has changed, whether someone is alone, whether there is danger and which care or medication is already involved.

Route 4

Suicide thoughts

Is someone in immediate danger or is a suicide attempt in progress? Call 112 If there is no immediate danger of life, but are there thoughts of suicide, call or chat with 113 Suicide Prevention.

113 Suicide Prevention

Day and night, anonymous and confidential. Even if you're worried about someone else.

Call 113Call free 0800-0113

Would you rather chat?

113 chat is available day and night. In case of immediate danger, 112 remains the correct route.

113 Suicide Prevention
Route 5

Violence, abuse or an unsafe situation

Call in case of immediate danger or violence happening now 112. For advice, specialized assistance or police without urgency there are other national routes.

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Advice Centre (Veilig Thuis)

Advice on domestic violence and child abuse. Free, anonymous and 24/7.

Call 0800-2000

Sexual Assault Center

Professional help after an unwanted sexual experience, even if it's been longer. 24/7.

Call 0800-0188

Police, non-emergency

For non-urgent questions, reports or an appointment with the police.

Call 0900-8844

Victim Support Netherlands

Emotional, practical and legal support after a crime, accident or other serious event.

View contact options
Route 6

Need to talk or worried about someone, without immediate danger

Child Helpline (De Kindertelefoon)

For children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years. Free and anonymous, daily from 11.00 to 21.00.

Call 0800-0432Chat or read more

Confidential Listening Line (De Luisterlijn)

An anonymous and confidential conversation day and night if you want to talk or feel alone.

Call +31 88 0767 000

Concerned Behaviour Advice Line (Meldpunt Zorgwekkend Gedrag)

If there is no immediate emergency but you are worried about someone displaying confused or concerning behaviour.

Call 0800-1205

Has the situation become urgent?

If the situation cannot wait or danger develops, call 112, your GP or the out-of-hours GP service, depending on the urgency.

Back to the emergency route
If you call

This information helps the service assess the situation quickly

You don't need to know everything. Share what you do know and tell me honestly if you have any doubts.

  1. Your location and where the person is.
  2. What's happening now And what has suddenly changed.
  3. Direct danger for the person, others or the environment.
  4. Physical signals such as consciousness, breathing, injury or pain.
  5. Medicines which may have been used.
  6. Existing aid, operators, crisis arrangements or an crisis or safety plan.

Is it hard to call or talk?

The 112NL app can help if you are deaf or hearing impaired, have trouble talking or speak another language. The control room can start a chat via the app. For e-SMS to 112 you need to register once in advance.

See the official 112 routes →
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about acute help

When should I call 112?
Call 112 for a life-threatening situation, fire, a serious accident, immediate violence or a crime in progress. Say what is happening, where you are and what help appears to be needed. If you are unsure whether someone is in immediate danger, call 112.
When should I call my GP or the out-of-hours GP service?
Call your own GP during weekday office hours if urgent medical assessment is needed but there is no immediate danger to life. In the evening, at night, at weekends or on public holidays, call the out-of-hours GP service. Call before travelling to the service or emergency department.
How do I find the number of the out-of-hours GP service?
Check your GP's website, call the usual GP number and listen to the recorded message, or search for ‘huisartsen-spoedpost’ plus your town or city. Call first; the triage professional will assess which help is needed.
How do I reach the mental health crisis service?
For an acute mental health crisis without immediate danger to life, contact your GP or the out-of-hours GP service. They assess the situation and can involve the regional mental health crisis service. If you already receive treatment, also use the crisis number or arrangements in your crisis or safety plan.
What should I do about suicidal thoughts?
Call 112 in immediate danger. If there is no immediate danger, call 113 or the free number 0800-0113, or chat anonymously through 113.nl. The service is available day and night, including when you are worried about someone else.
Where can a child or young person talk anonymously?
Children and young people aged 8 to 18 can call Child Helpline (De Kindertelefoon) free and anonymously on 0800-0432. It is available daily from 11:00 to 21:00. Call 112 in immediate danger.
Is Zorgfuik an emergency or crisis service?
No. Zorgfuik cannot assess an emergency, dispatch help or provide crisis intervention. This page only helps you choose the appropriate national number or first point of contact.
Not acutely, though jammed?

Continue with practical help

Isn't there a direct emergency, but doesn't care start, has care stopped or are you being forwarded between organizations? Then use the standard practical-help page.

View practical help