In an emergency, every second and a clear head count. It helps to know in advance who to call, because the moment something happens is not the time to start searching. This article lays out the important emergency numbers in Croatia and explains when to contact the Poison Control Centre.

Note: this article is general, educational information and does not replace emergency medical care. In any situation where health or life is at risk, call 112 or 194 immediately.

112 — the single number for all emergency services

112 is the single European emergency number. It works across the entire European Union, is free, and is available around the clock. You can rely on it when you are not sure exactly who to call — the operator will route your call to the right service (the ambulance, police or fire brigade).

It is especially useful:

  • when a situation is serious and you are not sure which service is needed,
  • abroad, since the same number works throughout the EU,
  • when more than one service is needed at once.

Other important numbers in Croatia

Alongside 112, Croatia has direct numbers for individual services:

  • 192 — police
  • 193 — fire brigade
  • 194 — emergency medical service
  • 195 — search and rescue at sea
  • 1987 — roadside assistance (HAK)

If you know which service you need, a direct number can speed up the response; if you are unsure, 112 is always a safe choice.

When to call the ambulance

Call the emergency medical service (194 or 112) for serious, sudden conditions, for example:

  • chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness,
  • signs of a stroke (sudden weakness of the face or arm, slurred speech),
  • heavy bleeding or a serious injury,
  • a sudden, severe allergic reaction.

For milder, non-urgent complaints, the first step is a doctor or pharmacist — and if you need a medicine outside regular hours, the on-duty pharmacy.

The Poison Control Centre

If you suspect poisoning — a medicine swallowed in too high a dose, a cleaning chemical, a poisonous plant or mushroom, a bite or sting — the Poison Control Centre can help. In Croatia it operates at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb and provides expert information on what to do.

  • 24-hour Poison Control Centre information line: +385 1 2348 342.
  • If the person is unconscious, struggling to breathe, or in life-threatening danger, call 112 or 194 first, and only then, if possible, the Poison Control Centre.

When you call about suspected poisoning, have the key facts ready: what was taken, how much, when, and the age and condition of the person. This helps you get accurate instructions. Do not induce vomiting and do not give anything to drink on your own initiative — wait for expert guidance.

Prepare in advance

A few minutes of preparation can make a big difference:

  • save the important numbers in your phone and post them somewhere visible at home,
  • make sure older household members and children know them too,
  • keep a list of the medicines you and your household take within reach.

And when, amid all this, you need a medicine and the regular pharmacies are closed, dezurna.net shows which pharmacy in your town is open right now.