The European Commission today stepped up its efforts to promote the use of the charge-free emergency number 112 within the European Union (EU).

As of today, a new website will tell citizens how to use 112 and what to expect from it, particularly when they travel within the EU.

Introduced as an emergency number in the EU 1991, 112 works in every member state, except Bulgaria. Although the number does not replace national emergency numbers it can help travellers get in touch with the emergency services more quickly.

EU legislation requires member states to ensure that all end users of fixed and mobile services can call emergency services free of charge with 112. They must also ensure that citizens are informed about the existence and purpose of 112.

Telecoms operators must also provide caller location information to the emergency services to allow them to locate and find victims of accidents in time.

The website also shows how 112 functions in each member state – how quickly calls are answered and in which language.