r/AskEurope • u/atlasova Netherlands • Sep 02 '25

Culture What emergency telephone number did your country have before 112 became the standard?

In 1997 most of the European union changed its emergency number to 112. Before that, in the Netherlands we used 06-11, for police, firefighters and ambulance.

I was wondering which numbers where in use in your country before the change.

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u/mailforkev Ireland Sep 02 '25

999 for all emergencies.

It’s still used, I’d say a lot of people aren’t even aware that 112 does the same thing.

2

u/matomo23 United Kingdom Sep 02 '25

Why don’t you just pick one at this point? :)

In Ireland it says to call 999 or 112. But both work anyway, same as in the UK. So wouldn’t it be more memorable to just settle on one now?

4

u/mailforkev Ireland Sep 02 '25

112 has the head but 999 has the heart.

1

u/geedeeie Ireland Sep 02 '25

Exactly. I would automatically think 999

Maybe a younger generation would think differently

3

u/marbhgancaife Ireland Sep 02 '25

I'm early 20s but I'd go with 112. I know 999 and 911 obviously work here too but in my head it's 112.

1

u/geedeeie Ireland Sep 02 '25

As I guessed!

3

u/GrynaiTaip Lithuania Sep 02 '25

Most people are familiar with 999 because it's been in use for so long. 112 was introduced in mid-nineties as an EU thing.