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Emergency number 112 in Bulgaria: how to call

In Bulgaria you call 112 for any emergency, whether medical, fire, accident or crime; the official e-government page describes it as continuous, fast and free access to the emergency services. This article explains how the system is organised, what to say when you call, and how the automatic location feature works after a road crash.

Everyday life · Last reviewed: 2026-10-07

What 112 covers

The official page presents the national 112 system as a single entry point for medical emergencies, accidents, disasters, fires, crimes and missing persons. You do not need to pick between separate numbers for an ambulance, the fire service or the police: you dial one number, describe the situation and the call is routed to the right service.

The service runs 24 hours a day and the call is free of charge. According to the same source, calls are handled through six regional centres: Sofia, Kardzhali, Burgas, Varna, Ruse and Montana. If no operator is free in one centre, the call is passed automatically to another, so you should not expect the line to ring out.

The language question for foreign callers

The page says calls are routed to an operator who speaks the caller's language. It does not list which languages are actually covered, so do not assume you will be answered in Turkish. The safe approach is to speak in short, simple sentences and keep a few phrases ready in Bulgarian or English.

  1. Give your location first

    Town, street and number; if you do not know them, a nearby business, stop or road sign. Location is the most important part of the call.

  2. Then say what happened

    Crash, fire, loss of consciousness, a fight. Add how many people are affected and whether anyone is injured.

  3. Do not hang up first

    The operator may keep asking questions and tell you what to do. Keep the line open until the operator ends the call.

  4. Keep your phone within reach

    You may be called back, so do not silence the phone or tie up the line afterwards.

Hearing or speech impairment, and road crashes

For people with hearing or speech impairments the official page mentions an internet-based application: from a browser or mobile device an incident can be reported using chat and emergency icons. The link is given on the egov.bg page; it makes sense to set it up before you ever need it.

After vehicle crashes the eCall system comes into play: according to the page it automatically sends the exact crash location and vehicle data to the emergency services. This applies to cars fitted with the equipment, so check your vehicle handbook to see whether yours has it.

Do not tie up the line without cause

112 is for emergencies. Questions about an on-duty pharmacy, traffic conditions or a non-urgent doctor do not belong on this line, and misuse can delay a real emergency. For a non-urgent health problem, contact your family doctor first.

Frequently asked questions

Is calling 112 in Bulgaria free?

Yes. The official egov.bg page describes the service as running around the clock and free of charge.

Can I speak Turkish on 112?

The source says calls are routed to an operator who speaks the caller's language, but it does not list the languages covered. There is no guarantee for Turkish, so give your location and the situation in simple words.

Who reports my location after a car crash?

In cars with eCall the system sends the location and vehicle data on its own. Without that equipment you must give the location yourself.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.

  1. Е-управление (egov.bg) — Национална система 112 — https://egov.bg/wps/portal/egov/vashata+evropa/zdraveopazvane/natsionalna-sistema-112 · 2026-10-07

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