How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Switzerland?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Police: 117. Ambulance: 144. Fire: 118. REGA mountain air rescue: 1414. Universal EU emergency number 112 also works in Switzerland.
2What You Need to Know
Switzerland uses its own national emergency numbers alongside the universal EU 112 number. For mountain and Alpine emergencies, REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue) on 1414 is the critical number — they coordinate helicopter rescue across the Alps and respond to hiking, skiing, and mountaineering accidents. The 112 number connects to the relevant service and works from mobile phones even without a SIM card or signal on many networks. English-speaking operators are available on all emergency lines, particularly in tourist regions.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Save 1414 (REGA air rescue) in your phone before any hiking, skiing, or mountain activity — it operates 24/7 and can locate you by mobile signal
- 2112 is the universal fallback that works even without a local SIM and will route to the correct Swiss emergency service
- 3The Swiss emergency app 'Rega' allows GPS location sharing with air rescue and is worth downloading before Alpine activities
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Traveling to Switzerland?
You might also need:
More About Switzerland
Service is included by law in all Swiss bills, so tipping is never expected — rounding up or leaving 5–10% for exceptional service is appreciated but purely optional.
Updated 2025-06
Switzerland has one of the world's best integrated transport networks — trains, buses, boats, and cable cars all connect seamlessly, and the Swiss Travel Pass gives tourists unlimited travel.
Updated 2025-06
Swiss healthcare is world-class but among the most expensive on the planet — comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential as EU EHIC cards do not cover Switzerland.
Updated 2025-06
Quiet hours from 10pm to 7am and all day Sunday are strictly enforced — even running a washing machine or flushing a toilet repeatedly at night can draw complaints.
Updated 2025-06
Switzerland has no strict dress requirements — smart casual works in cities, functional outdoor gear is the norm in Alpine areas, and swimwear is fine at lake beaches in summer.
Updated 2025-06
The legal drinking age is 16 for beer and wine, 18 for spirits; alcohol is widely available with no restrictions on public consumption or hours in most areas.
Updated 2025-06
🚨 See Emergency Numbers rules in all countries
Compare all countries →