What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Serbia

Emergency in Serbia right now? Call 194 for an ambulance, 193 for firefighters or 192 for Police. Serbia also publishes 112 as a general emergency number. Give your precise city, municipality or village, street address or road location and describe the danger immediately. If someone is unconscious, cannot breathe normally, is seriously injured, trapped or attacked, make the emergency call before continuing to read.

This guide covers Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac, Subotica, Zlatibor, Kopaonik, the Danube and Sava rivers and rural Serbia. It provides a fast decision guide at the top, then explains medical events, dangerous crime, building fires, road crashes, floods, extreme heat, mountain weather, family safety and practical Serbian phrases. Official Serbian government, Police, national motoring organisation and international travel-safety contacts checked 7 November 2026.

Which emergency number should you use in Serbia?

194 — Emergency medical help (Hitna pomoć): unconsciousness, major bleeding, severe breathing difficulty, suspected stroke, heart attack, serious injury or another life-threatening medical problem.
193 — Fire and rescue (Vatrogasci): building or vehicle fires, dangerous smoke, explosion or urgent firefighting rescue.
192 — Police (Policija): violence, serious threats, an offence occurring now or another immediate Police safety incident.
112 — General emergency number: officially designated as an emergency contact and listed in current UK travel advice. For the clearest direct agency contact, 192, 193 and 194 remain important; if a particular route fails, use another working official emergency contact.
1987 — AMSS roadside assistance: breakdown and driving information from the Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Serbia, staffed 24/7. This is not an ambulance or Police dispatch number.
0800 222 003 — Domestic violence support: toll-free national helpline for protection and referral. During immediate violence or major injury, call Police 192 or emergency medical 194 first.
RHMZ official forecasts and warnings: weather, flooding and severe storm information from the national hydrometeorological service; not an emergency dispatch phone number.

The Serbian Government’s emergency number plan identifies 192, 193, 194 and 112: Republic of Serbia — national emergency numbers. Serbian Police’s visitor safety brochure specifically publishes the dedicated three lines: Ministry of Interior tourist-safety brochure. Current British travel guidance also lists 112: UK Government — Serbia emergency services.

Seven immediate actions: what to do in the first minute

Move away from obvious danger if you can. Avoid smoke, moving cars, live electric wires, unstable structures, floodwater, active violence and steep loose slopes. Do not become another person needing rescue.
Choose the appropriate number. Dial 194 for a life-threatening medical problem, 193 for serious fire or rescue, 192 for urgent Police, or 112 where the general emergency route is the available option.
Give your exact location first. Say the municipality, town or village, road or street name, house or building number, floor, stairwell and a recognised nearby landmark.
Explain what is happening in one sentence. Examples: ‘One adult collapsed and is not responding’; ‘smoke is spreading from an apartment’; ‘two people are injured in a crash’.
Count affected people and explain serious symptoms. Say whether anyone is unconscious, has trouble breathing, is bleeding heavily, trapped, missing or unable to evacuate independently.
Answer the dispatcher and remain reachable. Give a call-back number, follow appropriate first-aid or evacuation instructions, and say honestly if you do not know a detail.
Help emergency crews find the correct entrance. If safe, ask someone to meet responders at a road junction, building door, farm entrance or trailhead. Report any access roads blocked by flood or fire.

Example: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at [street and house number], [municipality], Serbia. We are on the second floor, stairwell B, apartment 12. My phone number is [number].’ A written Serbian street address can be useful to a visitor. Do not delay the call in order to search online for the diagnosis or to arrange an insurance claim.

192, 193, 194 or 112: why Serbia lists several numbers

Serbia changed its short emergency codes in January 2013, adding the leading digit 1 to older contacts, and designated 192 Police, 193 firefighters, 194 ambulance and 112 general emergencies. Dedicated emergency services continue to be explicitly listed by Serbian Police and international travel authorities. Calling a service directly can help a person rapidly reach the appropriate agency when it is known.

The number 112 is also listed as a general emergency number in current UK government travel advice. However, public documentation about the extent of its integrated routing and response arrangements is less detailed than in some European states with a single mature dispatch agency. Do not describe every country’s 112 system as operationally identical. In Serbia, keep the three dedicated numbers available and use the working official emergency route for the actual danger.

If a traffic collision involves injured people, a burning vehicle and a possible violent threat, explain the complete scene. Several emergency agencies may be needed. A caller should not have to decide whether a fire or medical team ‘owns’ the event before requesting help.

Medical emergencies: the role of ambulance number 194

A person collapses, is not breathing normally or may be having a stroke

Call 194 for an ambulance if a person is unconscious, has severe breathing difficulty, major uncontrolled bleeding, serious chest pain, sudden one-sided weakness, speech disturbance, serious trauma, a severe allergic reaction or other symptoms that may threaten life. Tell the operator what you see and when the event began; do not attempt to name a disease without assessment.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the operator’s instructions for CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), within your training. If another adult is present, ask them to locate the AED or help emergency workers find the patient. Do not give drinks, tablets or food to an unconscious person. Direct pressure may help serious bleeding when safe and appropriate.

After a major crash, fall or head injury, avoid unnecessary movement of the casualty unless immediate environmental danger makes staying in place unsafe. Inform the medical operator about traffic, smoke, water, collapsed structures or a gate preventing access. The dispatcher determines appropriate care and transport resources.

A medical problem that is urgent but not life-threatening

A person with a mild, stable illness, chronic medication question or need for routine examination may not require an ambulance. An appropriate GP, health centre, pharmacy or non-emergency medical service may be a better contact. However, sudden loss of consciousness, severe breathing problems or another life-threatening development changes the decision: call 194 rather than waiting for a scheduled consultation.

Serbia’s healthcare facilities and response conditions differ between major cities and remote rural areas. Emergency help should not be delayed over insurance or hospital preferences when someone is critically ill. Foreign travel guidance advises visitors to confirm health insurance and suitable healthcare arrangements before travel; it does not replace urgent dispatch.

Fire and rescue: when to call 193

If a house, hotel, shop, factory or vehicle is burning or dangerous smoke is spreading, call 193 from a safe location. Raise the alarm, warn others where safe and evacuate via a suitable route. Avoid ordinary lifts during an active fire and close doors behind you where possible to slow smoke. Do not go back into a smoky building to retrieve passports, laptops or valuables.

If smoke blocks your exit, do not force a route through a dense smoke-filled stairwell. Describe your exact floor, room, staircase or nearest safe window to firefighters and follow their instructions. A crowded commercial site or older apartment building may require a different response from a single-storey home. Dispatch and the actual fire crew should determine the best escape or rescue path.

If you know that a fire involves fuel, gas cylinders or industrial chemicals, tell the operator without moving closer to the hazard. Avoid sparks near suspected gas leaks, move to safety and report the event. A large wildfire and a hazardous industrial plume may call for evacuation or sheltering, depending on local government instructions.

Police emergencies and personal safety

Dial 192 when an assault, violent robbery, serious threat, dangerous offender, crime in progress or other immediate Police danger requires urgent intervention. Move to a safer location if possible and report what you personally observed, including any injuries or weapons. Do not follow a threatening person, pursue a suspect for photographs or place yourself in danger to obtain a licence plate.

An older theft, misplaced belongings or a routine administrative Police enquiry usually belongs with an official station or ordinary reporting process rather than urgent emergency dispatch. During a current attack, the first action is urgent protection. If anyone is badly injured, request medical assistance through 194 as appropriate.

Domestic violence support: 0800 222 003

The US Department of State’s current Serbia travel information lists 0800 222 003 as a free domestic violence hotline. A person affected by violence or concerned about a family member may seek protection information and support. This is separate from the Police emergency number.

An assault happening now, a weapon threat or serious injury calls for 192 Police or 194 ambulance as needed. A specialist helpline can help with longer-term steps after immediate safety is established. Do not advise an endangered person to make a non-urgent report while the aggressor is nearby if doing so increases risk. Source: US State Department — Serbia safety and support contacts.

Road traffic crashes: what to do before photographing damage

For a serious collision with injuries, trapped occupants, a burning vehicle or dangerous traffic, call the appropriate urgent services and give the road designation, direction, nearest interchange, exit, bridge or kilometre marker. Do not stand in moving traffic or walk across live lanes for photographs. Avoid leaking fuel, burning tyres or damaged high-voltage components. A person with major trauma should not be moved unnecessarily unless immediate danger requires it.

The road signs and kilometres matter particularly on Serbia’s A-class motorways and remote national roads. A report such as ‘A1/E75 southbound near exit [name]’ is more useful than simply saying ‘between Belgrade and Niš’. When a road is blocked, explain the accessible side and nearest safe junction.

Roadside assistance 1987: different from a medical emergency

The Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Serbia (AMSS) operates 1987 continuously for breakdown assistance, towing, road information and travel support. Its operational centre is open to members and non-members, although available benefits and charges differ. Call the appropriate emergency responder first if someone is critically hurt or a vehicle is burning.

AMSS also publishes +381 11 333 1200 for contacting its centre from abroad. The official AMSS assistance page explains road service, repairs, towing and current driving information. The number is not a replacement for 194 medical, 193 fire or 192 Police.

River flooding: Danube, Sava, Morava and tributaries

Heavy rainfall, upstream water and rapid mountain runoff can cause river flooding, flash floods and damaged bridges. Never attempt to drive, walk or ride through moving or unknown floodwater. A shallow-looking road can conceal washed-out pavement, an open drain, a powerful current or live electrical wires.

If local authorities order evacuation, leave early by the approved safe route. Move essential medicine and documents when time safely permits, but do not enter a flooded cellar, underground garage or electrical room to retrieve property. People trapped upstairs should report the exact floor, number of occupants, mobility needs and any usable rescue access.

The Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (RHMZ) issues current hydrological and meteorological forecasts and warnings. Its official warnings can guide preparedness, but it cannot guarantee that a specific low bridge or culvert is safe. Follow local emergency instructions and road closures over a general forecast.

Severe storms, hail and sudden high winds

Thunderstorms can bring strong winds, hail, heavy rain and falling trees. Seek suitable shelter in a substantial building or enclosed vehicle during lightning. Avoid exposed hilltops, solitary trees, open water and areas under loose signs or damaged roofs. A severe storm can interrupt phone networks, power, public transport and roads.

RHMZ issues forecasts and warnings for actual dates and locations. Check the time window and region of any alert before sharing. Do not treat yesterday’s ‘all clear’ or a social media screenshot from another municipality as proof your present route is safe. Report serious injuries, fire or immediate personal danger through the appropriate emergency number.

Winter snow, fog and ice

Winter can bring freezing temperatures, snow, ice and fog to mountain regions and even some urban roads. Avoid travelling through official closures or attempting high mountain routes without suitable tyres, clothing, communication and emergency supplies. In severe fog, reduce speed and leave adequate distance rather than stopping in a live lane.

A long power outage may disrupt heating, lifts, refrigeration, water pumps and electricity-dependent medical devices. Have a safe alternative heating and charging plan and discuss the care needs of vulnerable relatives before winter. Never run a petrol or diesel generator, charcoal grill or camp stove indoors because carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Earthquake safety: protect during shaking

Serbia has seismic hazard in several regions. During strong shaking, move to a low protective position, cover your head and neck under suitable sturdy furniture or otherwise protect yourself from falling objects. Avoid glass and unsecured shelving. Do not rush down stairs while shaking continues. If outside, move clear of falling masonry, walls and overhead power lines where safe.

After shaking stops, assess injuries, unstable walls, broken glass, damaged stairways, gas smells and aftershock risk. If the building is visibly unsafe or an official evacuation order applies, use a safe route to leave and avoid damaged facades. Call emergency services for people trapped or seriously injured, with the last known location and accessible entrance.

Wildfires and smoke in dry seasons

Forest and grass fires can spread quickly in dry, windy conditions, threatening countryside homes, parks and roads. Avoid lighting unauthorised fires, discarding cigarettes or operating tools that create sparks in dry vegetation. If a serious fire is spreading toward people, report it promptly on 193 and describe the village, nearest road, hillside, direction of visible smoke and whether buildings or people are threatened.

A wildfire evacuation order should be followed promptly. Do not drive through heavy smoke to photograph flames or retrieve possessions from a closed site. Prepare medication, identification and arrangements for children and people unable to leave independently. Severe breathing symptoms from smoke exposure warrant emergency medical attention.

Mountains and outdoor recreation: access can be difficult

Serbia’s Kopaonik, Tara, Zlatibor, Stara Planina and other outdoor destinations have terrain where emergency responders need more than a town name. If a hiker is injured or missing, report the trail, mountain, last signed junction, hut, ski run, nearest road and reliable coordinates if available. Do not guess a position or move into unstable ice or steep terrain to take photographs.

If a person is critically injured, contact emergency medical services and explain that rescue may be needed in remote terrain. Weather, road closures and poor signal can affect access. A companion can remain at a safe, clearly identifiable point while another coordinates help. Before a trip, share the route and return time with someone not travelling.

Public gatherings and protests: protect yourself, then report genuine danger

Serbia may have public demonstrations and major sporting events where transport routes and public spaces become crowded. A peaceful gathering is not automatically an emergency, but violence, crush injuries, a fire or serious threat may require urgent Police or medical assistance. Avoid moving toward an escalating confrontation merely to film it; follow road closures and official safety guidance.

The Australian Government’s travel advice updated in October 2026 emphasises that demonstrations can become unpredictable and disrupt transport. It confirms the direct emergency numbers. See Australia Smartraveller — Serbia travel and emergency contacts.

Useful Serbian emergency phrases

‘Upomoć!’ / ‘Упомоћ!’ — Help!
‘Treba mi hitna pomoć.’ / ‘Треба ми хитна помоћ.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Požar!’ / ‘Пожар!’ — Fire!
‘Pozovite policiju.’ / ‘Позовите полицију.’ — Call the Police.
‘Osoba je bez svesti.’ / ‘Особа је без свести.’ — A person is unconscious.
‘Ne diše normalno.’ / ‘Не дише нормално.’ — The person is not breathing normally.
‘Adresa je…’ / ‘Адреса је…’ — The address is…
‘Govorite li engleski?’ / ‘Говорите ли енглески?’ — Do you speak English?

Serbian is used in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts. A traveller can save their accommodation address in the local spelling and display it to a trusted helper if needed. Do not delay an emergency call to prepare a perfect translation. Give the exact location and short incident facts first.

How to give a location that responders can find

City or municipality: Beograd, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac or the correct town and opština.
Street and number: ulica, building or house number and nearby junction.
Apartment: floor (sprat), entrance (ulaz), apartment number (stan) and any locked gate.
Motorway: A-route, direction, exit, service area or kilometre marker.
River or flood: named river, bridge, bank, village, floor where people are trapped and safe access.
Mountain: signed ski run, trail, hut or reliable GPS coordinates.
Callback: reachable phone number and any low signal, blocked road or ongoing hazard.

A practical Serbian household and travel safety plan

Save 194 Medical, 193 Fire, 192 Police and 112 General Emergency with clear descriptions.
Store the full address, municipality, floor, building entrance and recognised landmark.
Add the AMSS number 1987 to a separate breakdown and road-assistance list.
Before mountain travel, share a route and check current RHMZ weather and road conditions.
Identify the fire escape, an outdoor meeting point and the nearest AED where available.
Keep a torch, power bank, necessary medication, safe food and water and copies of important contacts.
Plan who helps children, older relatives, people with disabilities and anyone depending on electric medical equipment.
Follow current local flood, wildfire and evacuation directions rather than out-of-date online warnings.

Common mistakes that delay help

Calling roadside assistance 1987 before an ambulance when someone is unconscious after a crash.
Relying only on the EU-style 112 number and forgetting Serbia’s officially published 192, 193 and 194 direct emergency services.
Giving only ‘Belgrade’ or ‘Kopaonik’ without a street, floor, signed trail or road approach.
Entering fast floodwater, driving across a damaged bridge or returning to a flooded basement for property.
Running down stairs during strong earthquake shaking rather than protecting the head and neck.
Attempting an untrained rescue in smoke, dangerous snow, steep terrain or fast river currents.
Waiting for insurance approval, hospital research or translation before requesting life-saving help.
Treating an old storm forecast as a current all-clear for your particular road or municipality.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ambulance emergency number in Serbia?

194, published by Serbia’s Ministry of Interior, the Serbian Government and current international travel authorities.

What numbers are for Police and firefighters?

192 Police and 193 firefighters. These are Serbia’s published direct emergency service numbers.

Does Serbia use 112?

Yes. The Serbian Government’s short-code plan and current UK travel guidance list 112 as a general emergency number. The dedicated 192, 193 and 194 routes are also published and worth saving.

Who do I call if my car breaks down?

AMSS 1987 provides 24-hour roadside help and information. It is not the first contact when there is major injury, a vehicle fire or an immediate public-safety danger.

What should I do during a serious flood?

Avoid flooded roads and basements, obey local evacuation or closure orders and call emergency responders for people trapped or injured. Report the river, town, building and safest access.

Can a visitor use English on an emergency call?

Language capability can vary by responder. Use clear short English, show a written Serbian address and ask a trusted nearby person to help explain the location when needed, without postponing the call.

Official Serbia sources and related guides

Safety and editorial note: This guide cannot dispatch rescuers, diagnose illness or replace instructions from the Serbian emergency service and local authorities. Numbers and public safety references checked 7 November 2026. For a life-threatening event, call the appropriate working emergency service immediately.