Emergency contacts
Knowing who to call in an emergency should not depend on figuring it out in the moment. The good news is that Belgium's emergency numbers are simple and work the same everywhere in the country, including in English.
This page explains the main emergency numbers, how to reach a doctor or pharmacist outside office hours, and where to turn for non-urgent support.
Overview
Belgium uses a small set of national emergency numbers, all free to call and staffed 24/7. Which one you need depends on whether the situation is life-threatening, needs a doctor or pharmacist outside normal hours, or is something you would rather talk through with a support line first.
Emergency numbers
These numbers work anywhere in Belgium and are free to call, including from a mobile phone with no credit or SIM.
- 112 - general European emergency number (ambulance, fire, or if you are not sure which service you need)
- 101 - police, for situations that need police intervention but are not life-threatening
- 100 - direct line for ambulance and fire services
If you are not sure which service you need, call 112. The operator will redirect you to the right one
Out-of-hours doctors and pharmacies
Regular doctors' surgeries and pharmacies close in the evening, at night, and on weekends and public holidays, but there is always a service available.
- The huisartsenwachtpost (out-of-hours GP post) covers evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. Call 1733 to be connected to the nearest one.
- The on-call pharmacy (wachtapotheek) rota is published on apotheek.be, or call 0903 99 000 to find the nearest one.
- Both are commonly referred to as van wacht" (on duty), so searching "huisarts van wacht" or "apotheek van wacht" online is often the quickest way to find one near you.
- The same applies to vets. If your pet needs urgent care outside normal hours, search "dierenarts van wacht" to find the on-call vet in your area.
- For a genuine medical emergency, always call 112 rather than waiting for a GP appointment.
Non-urgent support lines
Not every difficult situation is a 112 emergency. These lines are free, confidential, and available in English or with English-speaking staff in most cases.
- 1712 - for anyone affected by violence or abuse.
- Tele-Onthaal (106) - for anyone who needs someone to talk to, day or night.
- Anti-Poison Centre (070 245 245) - for poisoning or suspected poisoning.
- Child Focus (116 000) - for a missing or sexually exploited child.
Good to know: save 112, 1733, and the on-call pharmacy number in your phone now, before you need them. In a real emergency, you will not want to be searching for a number.
Sources
- Apotheek.be
- FPS Public Health
- Belgium.be - Emergency numbers
