How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Turkey?
Last verified: 2025-01 · Europe/Asia
1The Quick Answer
Police: 155. Ambulance: 112. Fire: 110. Tourist Police: 527 4503 (Istanbul). Gendarmerie (rural): 156.
2What You Need to Know
Turkey has separate emergency services for urban and rural areas. In cities, police (155), ambulance (112), and fire (110) are the main numbers. For rural areas and small towns, the Gendarmerie (156) handles policing. Istanbul has a dedicated Tourist Police unit that speaks multiple languages — essential for tourist theft reports and legal issues. The general emergency number 112 also connects to all services. In tourist resort areas, many police officers speak English or German (due to German tourist volume).
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1112 connects to all emergency services in Turkey and is the easiest to remember
- 2Tourist Police in Istanbul: +90 212 527 4503 — English-speaking and tourist-focused
- 3For theft or lost passport, go to the nearest police station (karakol) to file a report for insurance
- 4In resort towns (Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye), tourist police patrols are active in summer
- 5Your embassy emergency line is critical if you face legal problems — keep it saved
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