113 Phone Number Meaning by Country

The phone number 113 has different meanings around the world, typically serving as an emergency or service number. In Italy, it's the state police; in the Netherlands, it's non-emergency police; in Peru and Slovenia, it's the police; in China, it's transportation police; in Norway, it's medical emergencies; in South Korea, it's the National Intelligence Service; and in Taiwan, it's for ambulance services.

Global Overview: What 113 Means Around the World

While some emergency numbers like 112 in Europe or 911 in North America are widely standardized, the number 113 serves various purposes across different countries. Understanding these differences is important, especially for international travelers who might need to contact local services.

Here's a comprehensive overview of what 113 means in different countries:

Country Service Connected to 113 Type of Service
Italy State Police (Polizia di Stato) Emergency
Netherlands Police (non-emergency line) Non-emergency
Peru National Police Emergency
Slovenia Police Emergency
China Transportation Police Emergency
Norway Medical Emergencies Emergency
South Korea National Intelligence Service (Cyber Crime Reporting) Specialized Service
Taiwan Ambulance Service Emergency
United States Not assigned (N11 code) Not in use
EU Countries (other than mentioned) Not commonly used (112 is standard) Not in primary use

As the table shows, 113 predominantly serves as an emergency number for police services in several countries, but its exact function varies significantly depending on the national telecommunications system.

113 in European Countries

In Europe, while 112 has been established as the standard emergency number across the European Union, several countries maintain 113 for specific services:

Italy: State Police Emergency Number

In Italy, 113 has traditionally been the emergency number for the State Police (Polizia di Stato):

  • Used for reporting crimes, emergencies requiring police intervention, and suspicious activities
  • Available 24/7 throughout the country
  • Part of Italy's multiple emergency number system that includes:
    • 112: European emergency number (now being implemented as the unified number)
    • 113: State Police
    • 115: Fire Brigade
    • 118: Medical Emergencies
  • Currently in a transition period as Italy implements the Europe-wide 112 system
  • In regions with the unified 112 system, calling 113 may redirect to the 112 call center

Netherlands: Non-Emergency Police Contact

In the Netherlands, 113 serves as a non-emergency police contact line:

  • Used for non-urgent matters requiring police attention
  • Alternative to the emergency number 112, which should only be used for immediate emergencies
  • Also accessible as 0900-8844 in some contexts
  • Helps reduce burden on emergency services by separating urgent from non-urgent matters
  • Note: There was once confusion with a suicide prevention hotline formerly using 0900-0113, often referred to as "113"

Slovenia: Police Emergency Number

In Slovenia, 113 is the dedicated police emergency number:

  • Direct line to police emergency services
  • Operates alongside 112, which covers fire and medical emergencies
  • Available throughout the country and staffed 24/7
  • Part of Slovenia's dual emergency number system
  • One of the few European countries that maintains a separate dedicated police emergency number

Norway: Medical Emergencies

In Norway, 113 is specifically for medical emergencies:

  • Connects directly to ambulance services and medical emergency response
  • Part of Norway's three-digit emergency system:
    • 110: Fire emergencies
    • 112: Police emergencies
    • 113: Medical emergencies
  • Operates alongside the European standard 112, which also works in Norway
  • Staffed by medically trained professionals who can provide guidance while dispatching help

European Emergency Number Transition

Many European countries are in various stages of transitioning to the unified European emergency number 112, though traditional national emergency numbers like 113 often remain operational. When in Europe, both 112 and local emergency numbers like 113 (where applicable) can typically be dialed in emergencies.

113 in Asian Countries

Across Asia, the number 113 is used for various emergency and specialized services, reflecting different approaches to emergency number allocation:

China: Transportation Police

In China, 113 connects callers to the Transportation Police:

  • Handles traffic accidents, transportation-related crimes, and issues on highways and railways
  • Part of China's specialized emergency number system that includes:
    • 110: General police emergencies
    • 119: Fire department
    • 120: Medical emergencies
    • 122: Traffic accidents (in some regions)
    • 113: Transportation police
  • Primarily operates in Mandarin Chinese, with limited English support in major cities
  • Available throughout mainland China

Taiwan: Ambulance Service

In Taiwan, 113 is one of the numbers used for ambulance services:

  • Connects to emergency medical services
  • Operates alongside 119, which also serves as a medical emergency number
  • Part of Taiwan's emergency service system that includes:
    • 110: Police emergencies
    • 113/119: Medical emergencies and ambulance
    • 119: Fire department (also handles some medical emergencies)
  • Available 24/7 throughout Taiwan

South Korea: National Intelligence Service

In South Korea, 113 is a specialized number for the National Intelligence Service:

  • Primarily used for reporting cyber crimes, voice phishing, and telecommunications fraud
  • Operated by South Korea's National Intelligence Service
  • Different from general emergency numbers:
    • 112: Police emergency
    • 119: Fire and medical emergencies
    • 113: National Intelligence Service (for specific threats)
  • Reflects South Korea's emphasis on addressing technological crimes
  • Particularly important in a country with high internet penetration and digital services usage

113 in the Americas

In the Americas, the use of 113 is less common than in Europe and Asia, with only a few countries designating this number for specific services:

Peru: National Police

In Peru, 113 connects callers to the Peruvian National Police (Policía Nacional del Perú):

  • Used for reporting crimes, suspicious activities, and emergencies requiring police intervention
  • Available 24/7 throughout the country
  • Operated by the Peruvian National Police force
  • Part of Peru's emergency number system that includes:
    • 105: Another police emergency number (both 105 and 113 connect to police)
    • 116: Child emergency services
    • 106: Fire department
    • 117: Ambulance services
  • Free to call from any phone, including payphones

United States and Canada: Not Assigned

In the United States and Canada, 113 is not assigned as a standard service number:

  • Falls within the N11 code format used for special services
  • Unlike established N11 codes such as 911 (emergency) or 411 (directory assistance), 113 has no designated function
  • Cannot be a regular area code due to North American Numbering Plan rules (middle digit cannot be 1)
  • Dialing 113 typically results in an error message or no connection
  • Emergency services in the US and Canada are accessed through 911

Latin American Countries (Other Than Peru)

Across most of Latin America, 113 is not commonly designated as an emergency or service number:

  • Most countries have their own emergency number systems, often with separate numbers for police, fire, and medical services
  • There is a growing trend toward adopting 911 as a unified emergency number in many Latin American countries
  • Some examples of emergency numbers in the region:
    • Mexico: 911 (unified)
    • Brazil: 190 (police), 193 (fire), 192 (ambulance)
    • Argentina: 911 (federal police), 101 (police), 107 (ambulance)
    • Chile: 133 (police), 132 (fire), 131 (ambulance)

International Travel and Emergency Numbers

Understanding the various meanings of 113 and other emergency numbers is crucial for international travelers. Here's what you should know before traveling internationally:

Preparation Before Travel

Before traveling to a foreign country, it's advisable to:

  • Research the local emergency numbers for your destination country
  • Save these numbers in your phone under easily recognizable names
  • Note which services each number connects to (police, medical, fire)
  • Learn basic emergency phrases in the local language
  • Understand whether numbers like 113 are used and what they're for
  • Check if international emergency numbers like 112 also work at your destination

Globally Recognized Emergency Numbers

While 113 has different meanings in different countries, some emergency numbers have broader international recognition:

  • 112: Works in all European Union countries and many others worldwide
  • 911: Primarily used in North America but recognized in some other countries
  • 999: Used in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and some former British territories
  • 000: Australia's emergency number

Many mobile phones will automatically redirect to the appropriate local emergency service when any recognized emergency number is dialed, regardless of the country you're in.

Important Travel Safety Note

When traveling internationally, it's crucial to know that emergency numbers like 113 may connect to completely different services depending on the country. For example, in Italy, 113 connects to the police, while in Norway, it's for medical emergencies. Always verify the correct emergency numbers for your specific destination before traveling.

The Evolution of Emergency Numbering Systems

The varied use of 113 across different countries reflects the broader evolution of emergency numbering systems worldwide:

Historical Development

Emergency telephone numbers developed separately in different countries throughout the 20th century:

  • The UK introduced 999 as the world's first emergency telephone number in 1937
  • The US adopted 911 in 1968
  • Different countries developed their own systems with multiple numbers for different services
  • Numbers like 113 were assigned different functions based on local needs and existing telecommunications infrastructure
  • These early systems often reflected the organizational structure of emergency services in each country

The Trend Toward Unification

In recent decades, there has been a global trend toward unified emergency numbers:

  • The European Union established 112 as a universal emergency number in 1991
  • Many countries outside Europe have adopted either 911 or 112 as their main emergency number
  • Traditional service-specific numbers (like 113 in various countries) often remain operational alongside unified numbers
  • This dual-system approach ensures both compatibility with international standards and continuity for local populations

The Future of Emergency Numbers

Looking ahead, several trends are shaping the future of emergency numbering systems:

  • Continued global harmonization toward a few widely recognized numbers
  • Enhanced capabilities such as text-to-emergency services and automatic location information
  • Integration with smartphone technologies and apps
  • Specialized numbers (which may include 113 in some countries) likely to remain for specific services
  • Greater accessibility features for people with disabilities

Despite these advancements, legacy numbers like 113 will likely remain important in many countries due to public familiarity and established operational systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I call 113 from a foreign country?

If you call 113 while traveling in a foreign country, what happens depends on that country's telecommunications system:

  • In countries where 113 is designated as a service or emergency number (like Italy or Peru), your call will connect to that service
  • In countries where 113 is not assigned a function, you'll likely hear an error message or get no connection
  • Your call will be processed according to the local telecom system, not your home country's system
  • The call will typically be treated as a local call, not an international call (you're not actually calling the 113 service in your home country)
For this reason, it's important to research local emergency numbers before traveling internationally.

Can I call 113 from a cell phone without service or SIM card?

In countries where 113 is designated as an official emergency number (like Italy for police or Norway for medical emergencies), you can typically call it from a cell phone even without service or an active SIM card. Most countries require mobile networks to connect emergency calls regardless of the phone's status. However, this exception usually only applies to designated emergency numbers. In countries where 113 is a non-emergency service number (like the Netherlands), this capability may not apply. For universal access, internationally recognized emergency numbers like 112 (Europe) or 911 (North America) are more likely to work from phones without service. The specific behavior depends on:

  • The country's telecommunications regulations
  • Whether 113 is officially designated as an emergency number in that location
  • The capabilities of the local mobile networks

Is calling 113 free in countries where it's used?

In most countries where 113 is designated as an emergency number, calls to this number are free of charge. This applies to countries like Italy, Slovenia, Peru, Norway, and others where 113 connects to emergency services. However, in countries where 113 is a non-emergency service line (like the Netherlands), standard call charges might apply, though many service numbers are still toll-free. The general rule worldwide is:

  • Emergency service numbers: Always free to call
  • Non-emergency service numbers: May be free or may incur standard or reduced charges
Most countries have regulations requiring that emergency calls be free and accessible from any phone, including payphones and mobile phones without credit.

What languages are supported when calling 113 in different countries?

Language support for 113 calls varies significantly by country:

  • Italy: Primarily Italian, with English support often available in tourist areas and major cities
  • Netherlands: Dutch is the primary language, but many operators speak excellent English
  • Peru: Spanish is the main language, with limited English support in tourist areas
  • Slovenia: Slovenian is the primary language, with increasing English support in urban and tourist areas
  • China: Mandarin Chinese is standard, with limited English support except in major international cities
  • Norway: Norwegian is primary, but English is widely spoken
  • South Korea: Korean is the primary language, with some English support in the Seoul metropolitan area
  • Taiwan: Mandarin Chinese is primary, with varying levels of English support in urban areas
In tourist destinations and major cities, you're more likely to find emergency operators who speak English. Many countries are also implementing multilingual support for their emergency services, though availability varies widely.

Is there a global effort to standardize emergency numbers like 113?

There is a significant global effort to standardize emergency numbers, but this is focusing on unified numbers like 112 and 911 rather than service-specific numbers like 113. The main standardization initiatives include:

  • The European Union's adoption of 112 as a unified emergency number across all member states
  • The increasing adoption of 911 as a unified emergency number in North and parts of South America
  • The International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) recommendation for countries to establish easily memorable emergency numbers
  • Efforts to ensure mobile phones recognize multiple emergency numbers regardless of location
Despite these standardization efforts, numbers like 113 that serve specific purposes in different countries are likely to remain in use due to:
  • Historical precedent and public familiarity
  • The organizational structure of emergency services in each country
  • The utility of having separate numbers for different services
  • The cost and complexity of changing established systems
The trend is toward maintaining traditional numbers like 113 for specific services while ensuring they work alongside standardized emergency numbers like 112 or 911.