Saudi Arabia Emergency Numbers: 997, 998, 999, 911, 937
A short reference to Saudi Arabia's emergency numbers: 997 for ambulance, 998 for civil defence, 999 for police, 996 for road safety, the unified 911 number in some regions, the 937 health line, plus practical advice on insurance, medication and what to say when you call.
Saudi Arabia's emergency numbers are short and easy to remember: 997 for an ambulance, 998 for civil defence and the fire service, 999 for the police. This reference gathers the numbers published by official sources and practical advice for visitors, so you know in advance whom to call.
ZiyaraGo is an independent information service. We checked the Saudi Red Crescent website and official travel advice on 16 October 2026. Numbers and services may change, so save them in your phone and check the official websites before a long trip.
The main emergency numbers
According to the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the main numbers are: 997 for an ambulance, 998 for civil defence (fire and rescue), 999 for the police and security patrols. Travel advice from Canada confirms the numbers 997, 998 and 999. The Red Crescent also lists 996 for road safety.
| Service | Number | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance (Saudi Red Crescent) | 997 | Urgent medical condition, accident with injured people |
| Civil defence (fire and rescue) | 998 | Fire, rescue operations, a dangerous situation |
| Police and security patrols | 999 | Crime, danger, urgent help from the security services |
| Road safety | 996 | Road incidents and safety on the highway |
| Unified emergency number | 911 | Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province (as of June 2026) |
| Ministry of Health call centre | 937 | Medical advice in non-life-threatening cases, 24 hours |
The unified number 911
In June 2026 the press, citing the Ministry of Interior, reported that 911 operates as a unified emergency number in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province; the number 911 is also listed in the UK government's travel advice. In other regions, call 997, 998 or 999 depending on the service you need.
If you are not sure which number to choose, call 999 or 911 and state clearly where you are and what has happened.
Health: 937 and the Al-Mustajeeb app
The Ministry of Health takes calls around the clock on 937 for health questions that are not emergencies. In an emergency, call 997.
The Saudi Red Crescent's Al-Mustajeeb app helps you reach rescuers, passes your request to the nearest crew and at the same time contacts the unified number. Install it before your trip and check which languages it is available in.
What to say when you call
First give your location: the city, district or hotel name, the street or a landmark, and in a large building also the floor or entrance. Then say what happened, how many people need help and whether anyone is not breathing or is bleeding heavily. Stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.
Write down the name and address of your hotel in Arabic and English in a note or in your phone, to show a driver or a rescuer.
Insurance and medication
Official travel advice recommends taking out medical insurance that covers treatment in Saudi Arabia and medical evacuation. Keep your policy number and the insurer's 24-hour phone number in your phone.
If you take prescription medication, bring it in its original packaging together with a letter from your doctor, especially if it is a controlled medicine, and check the rules of the country you are travelling to in advance.
A lost passport or the need for consular help
If you have lost your passport or need help from your government, contact your country's embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia: embassies are mostly in Riyadh, and many countries also have a consulate in Jeddah. Save the contacts before your trip and report the loss to the police first, because an embassy usually asks for a police report.
Keep a photo of your passport and visa in your phone and in a cloud folder, and carry a printed copy separately from the original.
A short safety list
Save 997, 998, 999 and 911 in your phone. Tell someone at home your hotel address. Keep your phone charged and bring a power bank. Install your insurer's app and Al-Mustajeeb. In a crowd, keep your bag in front of you and do not stray from your group.
How we chose
We prepared this reference from materials of the Saudi Red Crescent and the Ministry of Health, a press report citing the Ministry of Interior about the 911 number, and travel advice from the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom, checked on 16 October 2026, and set it out in our own words. Services may change, so confirm the numbers with an official source.
Tips
- Save 997, 998, 999 and 911 in your phone before you travel.
- Give the location first, then what happened.
- 937 is for medical advice in non-life-threatening cases, 24 hours a day.
- Carry your hotel address in Arabic and English.
- Take out insurance that covers treatment and evacuation.
Questions and answers
What is the emergency number in Saudi Arabia?
There are different numbers: 997 for an ambulance, 998 for civil defence, 999 for the police. The number 911 operates as a unified number in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province as of June 2026.
What is the number 937 in Saudi Arabia?
It is the Ministry of Health call centre, which gives medical advice around the clock. In an emergency, call 997.
Which number should I call after a road accident?
Call 997 if there are injured people and 999 to call the police. The Red Crescent also lists 996 for road safety.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
Report it to the police, then contact your country's embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia for a new document.
Do I need insurance in Saudi Arabia?
Official travel advice recommends insurance that covers treatment and evacuation.
What should I say when I call?
First give your location, then what happened and how many people need help, and stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.
Prepared with the help of AI and checked by the ZiyaraGo team. Editorial policy