Basic Amsterdam Phone Information

Emergency – When Every Second Counts

Is there an emergency — a situation in which every second counts? Then dial 1 1 2 (one one two).

This is the collective, nationwide emergency number for police, fire brigade and ambulance service.

No Emergency, But Police Needed

If there is
• no emergency, but
• you do need police assistance
then dial 0900 – 8844

Information

• 1888

0900, 0906 and 0909

These phone numbers carry extra charges as set by the companies that use them. They can represent service numbers, such as those of directory assistance or help-desks, but are also used by entertainment- and information services.

By law operators of such numbers are required to inform callers — at the start of each call — of the tariffs charged.

While some 0900 numbers allow you to make international calls at competitive rates, be aware that many mobile phone services add extra per-minute charges for calling a 0900 number — particularly when using prepaid plans. These extra charges tend to be high or, in some cases, exorbitant.

Public Phones

There are not many public phones left.¹ You’ll find some at key locations, such as Amsterdam Central Station or at Schiphol Airport.

They accept credit cards and/or phone cards. The latter can be bought at call stores, supermarkets and tobacconists.

Basic Phone Information

• Country code: 31

• Amsterdam area code: 020

Calling a phone number in Holland:
• From outside the country: 00 31 20 555 1111 (always drop the leading 0 from the area code).
• From within Holland but outside Amsterdam: 020 555 1111
• From within Amsterdam: 555 1111

Mobile/Cell Phones

In Holland, cell phones are referred to as ‘mobile phones.’

• Dutch mobile/cell phone numbers start with 06