Emergencies
In an emergency, stay calm and dial the correct number.
Emergency Numbers
| Number | Service | When to Call? |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | European Emergency Number | Always, if you are unsure — will be forwarded to the correct service |
| 15 | SAMU (Emergency Medical Service) | Medical emergency, poisoning, heart attack |
| 17 | Police | Theft, assault, threat |
| 18 | Fire Brigade | Fire, accident, rescue — often faster than SAMU in rural areas |
| 114 | Emergency SMS | For the deaf or if speaking is not possible |
| 3114 | Suicide Prevention | Available 24/7 |
Police
In France, there are two police forces: The Police Nationale (in cities with over 20,000 inhabitants) and the Gendarmerie (militarily organized, responsible for rural areas and highways). For tourists, this makes no practical difference.
In case of theft or loss, a report (plainte/déclaration) must be filed with the police or gendarmerie — necessary for insurance. This can also be done online: pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr (pre-registration, then personal appearance).
Embassies in Case of Emergency
- German Embassy Paris: +33 1 53 83 45 00
- Austrian Embassy Paris: +33 1 40 63 30 63
- Swiss Embassy Paris: +33 1 49 55 67 00
- Crisis Preparedness List: elefand.diplo.de — register before the trip!
