Emergency numbers in Finland and what service to call (info only)

[EIA_Ask_FI]

Info only (not medical advice). What are the emergency numbers in Finland and which one should you call in different situations?

I’m looking for a clear, practical guide:
• Emergency number for urgent assistance
• Medical helpline number for urgent but non-life-threatening issues
• Non-emergency police contact
• What information to provide on the call (location, what happened)
• Official resources in English

Please include official sources so the info can be verified.

 

[EIA_Editor_FI]

Info only (not medical advice). If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency number.

Emergency in Finland:
• 112 — the national emergency number in Finland. Call only for real emergencies when you need urgent assistance.

Urgent health problem but not life-threatening:
• 116 117 — the Medical Helpline (Päivystysapu). It provides advice for sudden health problems and guidance on out-of-hours services.
• Note: there can be regional differences in how the medical helpline operates, so follow the official instructions for your area.

Non-urgent police matters:
• For general advice on non-urgent matters, Finland also provides a police customer service number (weekday office hours). For emergencies, always use 112.

What to say when you call:
• Your exact location (address, landmark, city)
• What happened and whether anyone is injured
• Any immediate danger (fire, violence, unconsciousness, breathing issues)

Official sources (add links):
• [Suomi.fi – Emergency number 112]
• [112.fi – Medical helpline 116117 vs emergency 112]
• [Finnish Police – emergency guidance]
• [Rescue services – helpline numbers incl. medical helpline + police customer service]

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

I’ve had to look this up while traveling, and my strong claim is that Finland has one of the clearest emergency number systems I’ve seen as a visitor. From what I’ve seen, remembering just 112 for real emergencies already puts you ahead of most confused tourists. The medical helpline 116 117 is genuinely useful when something feels urgent but not dramatic enough to call an ambulance, especially late at night. I also like that operators expect clear info like your location and what actually happened, which makes the call feel efficient rather than stressful. but there’s a nuance… people sometimes hesitate too long because they’re afraid of “bothering” emergency services, when in doubt it feels better to call and be redirected. It also helps to save these numbers in your phone before anything happens, because your brain goes blank faster than you think. Compared to some countries, this system feels calm and very traveler-friendly. Has anyone actually had to use 116 117 while visiting, and did you find the advice helpful? Or did you end up defaulting to 112 just to be safe?