Austria Emergency Numbers 2026: 112, 122, 144, Mountain

The 112 universal number

The European emergency number 112 works throughout Austria. Free from any phone, English supported in major cities.

• Free from any phone (even foreign mobiles, no SIM)
• Multilingual operators: German + English standard
• Automatic location: smartphones transmit GPS

If unsure which service to call, use 112. The operator routes accordingly.

Specific Austrian emergency numbers

When to call which

• 133: crime in progress, immediate danger
• 144: medical emergency
• 122: fire, vehicle accident, water rescue
• 140: Alpine emergency (hiking, climbing, off-piste skiing)

For visitors: 112 is always safe if unsure.

Motorway-specific: SOS phones

Orange emergency phones

Every 2 km on Austrian motorways there is an orange “SOS” phone column. Free, automatically geolocated, direct line to ASFINAG control room.

How to use:

1. Pull onto emergency lane safely
2. Walk to phone (max 1 km)
3. Press button; operator answers
4. Describe situation; help dispatched

ASFINAG Unterwegs app

Free app from ASFINAG. Can:

• Connect to emergency services with GPS
• Report breakdowns
• Get traffic info
• Buy vignette (with 18-day delay)

Languages: German + English.

What to do in an accident

Austrian law requires:

If you’re involved

1. Stop in safe place: emergency lane if motorway, hazard lights on
2. Put on hi-vis vest BEFORE exiting (mandatory)
3. Warning triangle: 50m behind on motorway, 30m otherwise
4. Help injured: call 112 immediately
5. Exchange details with other parties: name, address, license, insurance, photos
6. Fill European Accident Report (CID): both drivers sign
7. Wait for police if injuries or serious damage
8. Don’t move vehicles until photographed unless they create danger

If you’re witness

• Stop safely with hazard lights
• Call 112 with exact location
• Don’t touch injured unless immediate risk
• Stay for statement if necessary
• On motorway: never cross carriageway

Leaving the scene

Criminal offence in Austria. Penalty: up to €4,400 + license suspension. With injuries: up to 5 years prison.

Roadside breakdown assistance

ÖAMTC (Austrian Motoring Club)

Most popular Austrian motoring club. Equivalent of German ADAC, British RAC.

• From Austria: 120
• From abroad: +43 1 25 120
• ÖAMTC app: available in English

Member costs:

• Member: tow + basic repair often free
• Non-member: typical tow €100-180, repair 80-150 €/h

Many European clubs have reciprocal agreements (ADAC, RAC, AAA, etc.). Check before paying out of pocket.

ARBÖ (alternative club)

• From Austria: 123
• Similar services
• Smaller network than ÖAMTC

Insurance with European assistance

Most European car insurances include breakdown cover. Common providers: Allianz, AXA, Generali. Verify European coverage before driving.

Embassy contacts

For non-vehicle issues (passport loss, hospitalization):

Save numbers in phone before travel.

Mountain rescue (Bergrettung)

When to call 140

• Hiking emergency
• Climbing emergency
• Off-piste skiing accident
• Lost in mountains
• Avalanche burial
• Helicopter rescue needed

Service is free for the rescue itself. Sometimes insurance covers transport from hospital.

What to communicate

• Your location (GPS coordinates if possible)
• Your condition
• Number of people affected
• Visible landmarks
• Weather conditions

ÖAMTC and Bergrettung work closely; ÖAMTC for road emergencies, Bergrettung for off-road.

Health and medical care

EU visitors with EHIC

European Health Insurance Card grants access to Austrian public hospitals at resident-level cost. Carry physical card + ID.

Process:

1. Go to Notaufnahme (emergency department) of nearest hospital
2. Present EHIC + ID
3. Triage based on urgency
4. Possible co-pay (€5-20) for non-urgent visits
5. Bill processed via your country’s health system

Major hospitals for visitors

Pharmacies

Green cross sign. Hours typically Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00, Saturday 8:00-12:00. Sunday and night: Apotheke nach Bereitschaft (duty pharmacy). List posted on closed pharmacy door.

For prescriptions: EU prescriptions often accepted with EHIC. Non-EU: contact local doctor.

Specific tunnel/Alpine emergency

In tunnels

• Pull into emergency niche if possible
• Hazard lights on, dipped headlights on
• Engine off (if stopping)
• Walk to emergency exit (every 250-500m)
• Don’t run; smoke risk

Avalanche risk areas

Several Austrian regions have avalanche-prone roads in winter:

• Tauern routes
• Tyrol valleys
• Vorarlberg mountains

Check before driving. ASFINAG announces closures.

Practical tips for foreign visitors

• Save 112, 120 (ÖAMTC), 140 (Bergrettung), embassy number in phone
• Install ASFINAG Unterwegs app
• Carry European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) physical
• Keep digital copies of vehicle docs, passport on phone
• Breakdown on motorway: triangle, vest, exit right, wait outside behind barrier
• For mountain rescue: state location clearly, use coordinates if possible
• If you don’t speak German: state “English” when 112 answers
• For remote Alpine areas: external phone battery + offline maps
• Mountain weather changes fast: check before trips

Resources

• ÖAMTC: oeamtc.at, breakdown 120
• ARBÖ: arboe.at, breakdown 123
• Bergrettung: bergrettung.at, mountain rescue 140
• BMI (Interior Ministry): bmi.gv.at
• Red Cross: roteskreuz.at
• ASFINAG: asfinag.at
• ASFINAG Unterwegs app: free, iOS + Android