Nobody wants to think about emergencies during a trip, but being prepared is exactly what lets you enjoy it with peace of mind. A breakdown, a health issue, an accident... knowing which numbers you have to hand and how to act makes all the difference. It's not about travelling in fear, but about being able to respond calmly if something happens. Here's the essentials.
The key number: 112
Across the whole European Union, 112 is the single emergency number: fire brigade, police, ambulances. It works in any EU country, free of charge, from any mobile phone (even without credit or coverage from your own operator, if another network is available). It's the first number you should know by heart when travelling around Europe.
Other useful numbers and resources
- Your insurance's roadside assistance: keep it somewhere visible; it's who you'll call in the event of a breakdown (see insurance).
- Your health insurance / travel assistance cover.
- Traffic and weather information numbers, especially in the mountains or in winter.
- Trusted contacts you can share your location with.
Prepare for the unexpected
- Carry a good first aid kit (see health and first aid) and the mandatory safety items (warning triangles or beacon, hi-vis vest).
- Have a basic kit for small breakdowns (see what to do if it breaks down).
- Share your location with someone you trust, especially in remote areas.
- Download offline maps, and for areas with no signal, consider a satellite messaging device if you're heading somewhere very isolated.
How to act in an emergency
The main thing: stay calm, get to safety (get off the road, use warning signals), assess the situation, and call the right service (112 for emergencies, your assistance line for breakdowns). Give as precise a location as possible. The camper community also tends to be quick to help.
In summary
Being prepared for camper emergencies means knowing 112 (valid across the whole EU), your assistance and insurance numbers, a first aid kit and basic tool kit, and sharing your location. The step you can take today: write 112 and your insurance's assistance number somewhere visible in the cab, and share your route with someone you trust; with that, you travel far more at ease.
