Emergencies in Kraków

Good to Know

• You do not need to speak Polish to call for help — 112 operators and Krakow police generally have English-speaking staff available on request.
• Save both 112 and the direct numbers (997 police, 998 fire, 999 ambulance) — locals often still use the direct numbers, and it's useful to know them if 112 gets congested.
• Ambulance and emergency department treatment in Poland is free at the point of use even without Polish insurance, but private hospitals and some services may expect cash or proof of insurance upfront — travel health insurance is strongly recommended.
• The Alarm112 app is especially useful if you can't safely make a voice call (e.g., during a break-in or if you are deaf/hard of hearing).
• The RSO app is worth installing during storm season, as it gives localized push alerts for weather-related hazards affecting the Krakow/Lesser Poland region.
• In Poland the hospital ER is called 'SOR' (Szpitalny Oddział Ratunkowy) — go there only for genuine life-threatening emergencies; for minor issues use a night/holiday outpatient clinic or a private clinic instead, since SOR wait times are triage-based, not first-come-first-served.
• No referral is needed to be seen at any SOR in a genuine emergency.
• The region's main trauma centre (University Hospital) is located in Prokocim, about 20–25 minutes' drive south of the Old Town, not walkable — always call 112 for an ambulance rather than trying to get there yourself for a serious injury.
• For dial-in emergencies anywhere in Poland, the number is 112 (combined police/fire/ambulance).