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In case of an emergency situation, citizens can reach national emergency services from anywhere in the EU by dialling the same number – 112.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, said:
Anywhere in the EU, anyone can reach emergency services easily and quickly through one number – 112. Thanks to EU rules, Europe’s single emergency number – 112 – will be more effective and efficient when people ask for assistance in an emergency. We aim to ensure consistent application of the latest technology that can greatly improve communications and safeguard the safety and security of citizens.
Advances in technology are allowing better, more efficient access to aid in emergency situations. In December 2022, the Commission proposed new measures to improve access to emergency services throughout the EU. This delegated regulation calls on Member States to upgrade national public safety answering points with the latest technological developments and improve caller location information, access for end-users with disabilities and routing emergency communications to the most appropriate public safety answering points. It also calls for Member States to cooperate with the Commission to identify common interoperability requirements for emergency communication apps. The proposed rules were transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council for a minimum 2 months examination period, after which they will enter into force.
The Commission continues to monitor closely the implementation of the emergency number 112 in Member States, through regular reports. According to the latest report, in 2021 calls to the single European emergency number ‘112’ represented 56% of all emergency calls. Overall, calls to 112 increased by 3% to 153 million compared to 2019. Meanwhile, the total number of emergency calls, including to the national emergency numbers, where these are still in use, remained steady at 270 million.