Pan-European service numbers

Free-of-charge service numbers across the EU

The European Union harmonizes the telephone numbers of certain services of social value. The European emergency number is 112. In addition, a service number starting with 116 has been reserved for certain non-profit services across the EU.

The EU-wide service number starting with 116 can only be used for a service allocated by the European Commission.

So far, the European Commission has provided the use of purpose for the following numbers:

116 000 - Hotline for missing children

• offers guidance and supports the guardians of missing children;
• supports the investigation of cases;
• takes calls reporting missing children; and
• passes them on to the Police.
  

116 006 Helpline for victims of crime

• enables victims of crime to get emotional support, to be informed of their rights and about ways to claim their rights, and to be referred to the relevant organisations;
• provides information about local police and criminal justice proceedings and possibilities of compensation and insurance matters; and
• provides support in finding other sources of help relevant to the victims of crime.
  

116 111 - Child helplines

• helps children in need of care and protection;
• links them to services and resources;
• provides children with an opportunity to express their concerns, talk about issues directly affecting them; and
• contact someone in an emergency situation.

116 117 Non-emergency medical on-call service

• directs callers to the medical assistance appropriate to their needs, which are urgent but non- life-threatening; and
• Caller is connected to a skilled and supported call-handler or directly to a qualified medical practitioner or clinician.
  116 123 - Emotional support helplines
• is based on a telephone conversation with another human being and on non-judgemental listening; and
• offers emotional support to callers suffering from loneliness, in a state of psychological crisis, or contemplating suicide.
  
  

Numbers granted to Finnish service providers:

• 116 111 - Mannerheim League for Child Welfare

Calls to pan-European service numbers starting with 116

No charge is taken for calls made to pan-European 116 service numbers.

When calling to a number starting with 116, dial the number without the long-distance prefix 0, operator prefix or area code.

The number is good across all EU members states, but the call is directed to a national service provider in each country.

Further information on numbers starting with 116 and application procedures are available from FICORA at viestintaverko(at)ficora.fi.