Emergency Numbers in Dubai: Police, Ambulance, Fire

There are three emergency numbers to know, and they are short and easy to remember. Dial 999 for the police, 998 for an ambulance, and 997 for the fire service, also called Civil Defence. The same three numbers work anywhere in the UAE, so they are just as valid in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah as they are in Dubai.

These numbers rarely change, but the Dubai Police app and the official UAE government portal are the official places to confirm the current lines.

• Driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Many visitors arrive expecting 112 to work, because it is the single emergency number across Europe and on most mobile networks there. In the UAE it is different. 112 and 991 are not the country's general emergency lines, so the number to dial is 999 for the police, which is the primary emergency contact.

If you only remember one number, make it 999. The police operator can point you to an ambulance or the fire service if you are not sure which you need.

For a medical emergency, dial 998 for an ambulance. The service is run by the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, usually shortened to DCAS, and it also offers the DCAS SOS app, which can share your details and location.

Ambulance care is generally free for genuine, life-threatening emergencies. For non-urgent problems it is usually better to make your own way to a clinic or hospital, where ordinary treatment charges can apply, so it is worth checking what your travel insurance covers before you go.

Not everything needs an emergency call. For non-urgent matters, such as reporting a lost item, a minor incident or a general enquiry, use the Dubai Police app and its online services, which are set up for visitors as well as residents.

If you are unsure what to do or who to contact, your hotel reception is a good first stop. Staff deal with these situations often, can make a call on your behalf and can explain the local process. For anything genuinely urgent, though, go straight to 999.

Staying calm and clear helps the operator send the right help quickly. Most operators handle calls in English as well as Arabic, so you do not need any Arabic to get through.

• Say which service you need — police, ambulance or fire — or describe what has happened and let the operator guide you.
• Give your location as clearly as you can: the area, the building or hotel name, and the nearest landmark.
• Explain the nature of the emergency and whether anyone is hurt.
• Stay on the line until the operator has what they need and tells you it is fine to hang up.

Save 999 in your phone before you travel. If you ever cannot make the call yourself, someone nearby or your hotel reception can call for you — give them your location and what has happened.