The core number to know
112 is the general emergency number for police, fire and ambulance across the Netherlands — the same format used throughout the EU, and staffed with English-speaking operators. Use this for any genuine emergency.
Non-emergency situations
For non-urgent police matters — reporting a theft after the fact, for instance — the non-emergency police number is 0900-8844, or visit a local police station in person. Most tourist-area police stations have staff who speak English.
If you're the victim of theft or pickpocketing, filing a police report (even remotely, via the police website) is usually required for travel insurance claims — worth doing promptly even if recovery of the item itself is unlikely.
Lost or stolen passport
Contact your country's embassy or consulate in the Netherlands as soon as possible — most are based in The Hague, with some countries also maintaining a consulate in Amsterdam itself. Keep a photo or physical copy of your passport's information page separate from the passport itself, which makes replacement significantly faster.
Medical situations
For genuine emergencies, call 112. For less urgent medical needs, our pharmacies guide covers apotheek access, and most hotels can direct you to a nearby doctor for non-emergency care.
General safety context
Amsterdam's city center is well-lit, heavily trafficked even late at night, and genuinely safe by the standards of major European capitals — covered in more depth in our solo travel guide. Standard awareness around pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas (Dam Square, the Bloemenmarkt, busy trams) is the main practical precaution worth taking, more than any serious personal safety concern.
Travel insurance
Confirm your travel insurance covers medical care in the Netherlands before your trip — EU visitors with a valid EHIC card have access to public healthcare on Dutch terms, while non-EU visitors should verify their policy covers care here specifically.
This guide is reviewed and updated as part of our weekly refresh. It's general orientation only — always follow the guidance of local authorities and emergency services directly in an actual emergency.