The UAE is a generally safe country to travel to and live in. It has a very low crime rate, and violent crime is rare. With that, in the unfortunate case that you do run into an emergency, it's good to know what to do and who to call. In this mini-guide, you will find useful emergency numbers and services in the UAE.
UAE's primary emergency number is 999. It will connect you to the police and should be enough in most emergency situations.
Other important numbers include:
Ambulance: 998;
Fire department (civil defence): 997;
Coastguard: 996;
Electricity failure: 911;
Water failure: 922.
All of the above numbers are toll-free.
If you live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you can also make use of the following apps:
Abu Dhabi, SOS AD999 app (Google Play, Apple Store) – You can report a fire, request an ambulance, or call the emergency helpline by clicking the app's SOS button.
Dubai, DCAS SOS app (Google Play, Apple Store) – This app from the Dubai Corporation for Ambulances has an SOS feature that pinpoints your exact location.
When you call the emergency hotline in the UAE, be prepared that you will be answered in Arabic. English and other language-speaking operators are available upon request. With that, having an Arabic speaker by your side when you call the hotline can be very helpful.
To describe your emergency, you will need to provide the following:
Your name;
The type of accident you are in;
The exact location of your emergency;
Whether anyone has been injured and their current state.
Depending on the nature of your emergency, additional information may be requested.
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To report a medical emergency in the UAE, you should call the ambulance on 988. The average ambulance response time across the UAE is around eight minutes – and if you are located close to a hospital, it may be quicker to drive there yourself or call a taxi.
In a medical emergency, you will be referred to the nearest hospital for diagnosis and immediate treatment. However, you may later be transferred to a different facility that is better equipped to handle your case.
Note that there is an ambulance call charge in the UAE – ranging from AED 600 to AED 1,200. However, this fee will be handled entirely by your insurance provider, and, as a patient, you will not bear any cost under any circumstances.
If you are in a traffic accident in the UAE, you must immediately call the emergency number (999) and report it to the police. Leaving the scene of a collision is illegal. Moreover, failing to stop after an accident is punishable by a fee, six black points, and vehicle confiscation.
For roadside assistance in the UAE, you can contact:
If you are settling in the UAE with a pet, make sure to locate the nearest pet hospital in your area. With that, there are several vet clinics that offer 24-hour emergency pet care:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
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Great guide! Spot on about the UAE being one of the safest spots to live or visit—super low crime and those emergency numbers like 999 for police/ambulance are lifesavers. Love the practical tips on apps (SOS AD999 and DCAS are clutch for expats) and anonymous crime reporting lines too. Totally confirms why I feel so secure here in Dubai; bookmarked for sure!
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