France emergency numbers: 112 general (EU), English available. 15 SAMU ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire/rescue. Roadside: dial 112 or orange motorway phones. SOS Medecins for night doctors. Hospital A&E = 'Urgences'.
On this page
- Universal emergency number: 112
- Specific emergency numbers
- Motorway-specific: SOS phones and app
- What to do at an accident scene
- Breakdown assistance
- Hospital and medical care
- Lost or stolen belongings
- Phone contacts to save before your trip
- Practical tips for visitors
- Related topics for your France road trip
- Emergency numbers in other European countries
Universal emergency number: 112
The European Emergency Number 112 works across all of France for any emergency: police, ambulance, fire. Three things UK and other visitors should know:
- Free from any phone: even foreign mobiles without credit, locked phones, or phones without a SIM card
- English-speaking operators: 112 in France has multilingual coverage, especially Paris, Lyon and Côte d’Azur
- Automatic location: smartphones report your GPS coordinates to the dispatcher (AML technology, standard since 2018)
If unsure which service you need, always call 112. The operator will dispatch the right service.
Specific emergency numbers
| Number | Service | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | All emergencies | Any urgent situation |
| 15 | SAMU (medical) | Heart attack, serious accident, severe illness |
| 17 | Police | Crime in progress, immediate danger |
| 18 | Pompiers (fire/rescue) | Fire, road accident, water rescue |
| 191 | Mountain rescue | Mountain incidents (PGHM) |
| 196 | Maritime rescue | Sea emergencies (CROSS) |
| 114 | Deaf/hearing-impaired | SMS-based emergency contact |
| 119 | Child abuse | Confidential report |
| 3919 | Domestic violence | Confidential help |
| 3017 | Anonymous crime report | Tip-off line |
| 39 19 | National anti-discrimination | Reporting discrimination |
When to use 15, 17 or 18 specifically?
- 15 SAMU: serious medical emergency requiring doctor or ambulance
- 17 Police: criminal incident, immediate danger
- 18 Pompiers: fire, road accident, water rescue
For visitors: 112 is always the right choice if you’re not sure.
Motorway-specific: SOS phones and app
Orange SOS phones
Every 2 kilometres along French motorways, an orange “SOS” emergency phone is mounted. Free to use, automatically geolocated, direct line to the motorway police (gendarmerie autoroutière).
How to use:
- Pull onto the hard shoulder (with caution and triangle 30 m behind)
- Walk to the nearest SOS phone (max 1 km away)
- Press the button; operator answers
- Describe your situation; help dispatched
The phones work without coins or cards. Always free.
SOS Autoroute app
Free iOS and Android app from the French Ministry of Interior. Works as an alternative to the orange phones. Three buttons:
- Emergency: connects you to gendarmerie autoroutière with your GPS location
- Breakdown: connects to a dépannage (towing) service
- Information: ask for assistance, non-urgent
Languages: French and English. Works on most French motorways and major roads.
Download before your trip; needs a mobile signal to send the call.
What to do at an accident scene
French law requires specific actions when you’re involved in or witness an accident. Penalties for leaving the scene: up to 3 years prison and €75,000 fine.
If you are involved
- Stop in a safe place: as far as possible to the right of the road. Put on hazards.
- Put on reflective vest before exiting (legally required)
- Help any injured: stabilise the situation. Do not move someone with neck/back injuries unless fire risk
- Call 112 with location and number of injured. Stay on the line until the operator releases you
- Exchange details with other parties: name, address, registration, insurance details, photos of damage
- Fill in the European Accident Report (Constat amiable) if cars are damaged, both drivers sign
- Stay until police arrive if there are injuries or serious damage
- Do not move the vehicles until photographed, unless they create a hazard
If you are a witness
- Stop your car safely; do not block the road
- Call 112 if no help has arrived
- Provide first aid if able (legally required: “obligation de porter secours”)
- Stay until emergency services arrive to provide witness statement
Hit-and-run cases
If the other driver leaves the scene, note:
- Make/model/colour of the vehicle
- Registration plate (if visible)
- Direction of travel
- Any distinguishing features
Report to police immediately via 17 or 112.
European Accident Report (Constat amiable)
Pre-printed form in French, available from your insurance. Fill in both versions:
- Both drivers’ details (name, address, insurer, policy number)
- Vehicle details (make, registration)
- Description of accident with arrows on a small diagram
- Both drivers sign
The form is the standard EU accident report. UK insurers also use it.
If you don’t have a form: take photos of both cars, exchange details, write the description in English on any paper. Both drivers sign.
Breakdown assistance
France has no national breakdown service like the UK AA or RAC. Process for breakdowns:
Step 1: Pull over safely
- Move to the hard shoulder (or as far right as possible)
- Switch off engine, put on hazards
- Put on reflective vest BEFORE exiting (€135 fine if not)
- Walk passengers off the road behind the crash barrier
- Place warning triangle 30 metres behind (50 m on motorway, only if safe)
Step 2: Call for help
Options in order of preference:
- Your UK or EU breakdown insurance: most cover Europe (AA Plus, RAC Premium, Green Flag, Mondial Assistance, etc.). Phone the number on your card.
- SOS phone or app (motorway): connects to gendarmerie which calls a local dépannage
- 112: from anywhere, ask for “dépannage” connection
- Local dépannage: search “dépannage [city]” on Google Maps, call directly
Step 3: Wait for help
- Stay behind crash barrier with passengers
- Do not attempt repairs on motorways (forbidden by law on toll roads)
- The dépannage may charge €100-300+ for tow within 30 km
Step 4: Cost recovery
If you have UK or EU insurance covering Europe:
- Keep all receipts (tow, repairs, hotel if overnight stay)
- Report to your insurer within 7 days
- Use the European Accident Report or a separate breakdown report
UK breakdown providers in France
| Provider | Coverage | Approximate annual cost (Europe) |
|---|---|---|
| AA Plus European | 5-day European coverage | £40-150 |
| RAC Premium European | 7-day European coverage | £45-180 |
| Green Flag Europe | 5-day European coverage | £35-120 |
| Mondial Assistance | EU/UK | Varies, often included with credit cards |
| Schengen credit cards | Embedded | Sometimes free (Amex Platinum, Chase, etc.) |
Check your existing UK insurance: many provide European cover automatically up to 30 days/year. Premium credit cards (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire) often include unlimited European travel cover.
Hospital and medical care
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and GHIC
UK residents post-Brexit: the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the EHIC. Free, valid 5 years, covers state-provided medical care across the EU. Order at gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card.
What it covers:
- Emergency hospital treatment
- Doctor consultations
- Most prescriptions
- Maternity care
What it does not cover:
- Private medical care
- Repatriation
- Pre-existing conditions
Get a separate travel insurance for repatriation and private care.
French hospital emergency departments
Hospitals with emergency department: search “urgences [city]” on Google Maps.
Major hospitals near tourist areas:
- Paris: Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière (13th arrondissement), Hôpital Saint-Louis (10th)
- Lyon: Hôpital Édouard Herriot, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse
- Marseille: AP-HM La Timone
- Nice: CHU Nice Pasteur
Wait times: 2-6 hours for non-urgent, immediate for life-threatening.
Pharmacies
French pharmacies (Pharmacie, green cross sign) provide:
- Prescription dispensing
- Non-prescription medication
- Basic medical advice
24/7 pharmacy: search “pharmacie de garde” or call 3915 for the on-duty pharmacy nearest you.
Lost or stolen belongings
For lost or stolen items (not life-threatening):
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police (lost ID, theft) | 17 or 112 | File a report (récépissé) |
| Lost luggage at airport | Airline’s lost luggage office | Call before leaving |
| Lost phone (find my iPhone) | Apple/Google support online | Block remotely |
| Lost credit card | Your bank | International number on card |
| UK consular emergency | +33 1 44 51 31 02 (Paris) | UK Embassy 24/7 |
| Irish consular emergency | +33 1 44 17 67 00 |
Reporting theft
Go to the nearest police station (commissariat) within 24 hours. The “récépissé” (receipt) is needed for insurance claims and replacement passport.
For stolen wallets with credit cards: call your bank IMMEDIATELY to freeze the cards. UK bank phone numbers are typically on the back of your card.
Phone contacts to save before your trip
Save these in your phone before leaving:
- Your UK or EU breakdown insurance (number on your card)
- Your travel insurance emergency line
- Your bank for credit card freezing
- 112 (already universal but worth confirming on your phone)
- UK Embassy in Paris: +33 1 44 51 31 02
- Hotel/accommodation phone numbers
- Local taxi (Uber works in major cities but not all)
Practical tips for visitors
- Call 112 from anywhere in France: it’s free and the operator speaks English
- Install SOS Autoroute app before departure
- Carry your insurance Green Card and rental contract at all times
- Wear reflective vest BEFORE exiting in any breakdown or stop
- Put warning triangle 30 m behind (50 m on motorway, only if safe)
- Keep €100+ cash in euros for emergencies
- Pharmacy green crosses indicate open pharmacies
- Hospitals with “Urgences” sign are the emergency departments
- Insurance Green Card is required for non-EU vehicles including UK post-Brexit
- Save your breakdown insurance number before driving away
Related topics for your France road trip
- France live traffic: current jams and live sources
- France traffic guide: structural traffic info
- France driving rules: equipment requirements
- France traffic fines: emergency-related penalties
- France country information: currency, language
Emergency numbers in other European countries
- 🇩🇪 Germany emergency numbers: 112, ADAC breakdown
- 🇮🇹 Italy emergency numbers: 112, ACI breakdown
- 🇪🇸 Spain emergency numbers: 112, RACE Tráfico
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland emergency numbers: 112, REGA mountain rescue
- See all 21 countries →