Emergencies in Zagreb

Good to Know

• 112 is the number to remember for any emergency in Zagreb — it's free, works 24/7, and operators speak English, so you don't need to worry about which specific service number to dial.
• The direct-dial numbers (192 police, 193 fire, 194 ambulance) exist if you already know exactly which service you need, but 112 is simpler and just as fast.
• If you're in a car accident, Croatian practice generally expects you to involve police (via 112 or 192) before leaving the scene, especially if you'll be filing an insurance claim.
• Public hospitals in Croatia will treat genuine emergencies regardless of insurance status, but uninsured visitors will later receive a bill, so travel insurance is worth having.
• For life-threatening emergencies in Zagreb, call 112 (general EU emergency number) or 194 (dedicated ambulance/hitna pomoć line) — both operate 24/7 and will route you to the nearest appropriate hospital.
• Croatia's three official Level 1 trauma centres in Zagreb are KBC Zagreb (Rebro), KBC Sestre milosrdnice, and KB Dubrava — for serious accidents or major trauma, ambulances typically route to one of these three.
• EU nationals with a valid EHIC card can access necessary emergency care at Zagreb's public hospitals; non-EU nomads should carry private travel/health insurance, as public hospital admin desks are geared toward the domestic HZZO insurance system.
• English is widely spoken by younger medical staff at the major teaching hospitals, but paperwork and initial reception may be Croatian-only, especially at smaller units.
• The Sisters of Charity Hospital's trauma/A&E unit is known to be undersized for the city's needs, so serious cases are often diverted to KBC Zagreb (Rebro) or KB Dubrava.