Basic Amsterdam Phone Information - Amsterdam Tourist Information

Amsterdam Phone Numbers

Basic Amsterdam Phone Information. Two people holding mobile phones sitting at a canal in Amsterdam — Amsterdam phone numbers: police, emergency services, toll free, and more

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

0800 – No Charge Phone Calls

In the Netherlands calling 0800 numbers from landlines and mobile phones is free. By law calls to these numbers carry no charges.

0900, 0906, 0909, and 18 Phone Numbers: Extra Charges

Amsterdam Essentials

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.

Phone numbers that start with 18 provide phone number information. The service can connect you as well — but beware: doing so will cost you extra money. Some 0900 numbers operate the same way.

Public Phones

There are not many public phones left in the Netherlands (Holland, if you missed the rebranding). ¹ You’ll find some at key locations, such as Amsterdam Central Station or at Schiphol Airport.

They accept credit cards and/or debit cards. Be aware that these phones are operated by private, for-profit companies. Calls may cost a lot more than you might expect. Too, the exchange rates used by these companies (and your own bank!) can and will cause nasty surprises.

Basic Phone Information

Country code: (00) 31
Amsterdam area code: 020

Calling a phone number in the Netherlands

(We use 555 1111 as an example)

From outside the country: 00 31 20 555 1111 (always drop the leading 0 from the area code).
From within the Netherlands but outside Amsterdam: 020 555 1111
From within Amsterdam: 555 1111

Mobile/Cell Phones

In the Netherlands cell phones are referred to as ‘mobile phones’ (mobieltjes) [See, How to use your cell phone or mobile phone in the Netherlands]

Dutch mobile/cell phone numbers start with 06
When calling a Dutch mobile number from abroad, drop the leading 0

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Footnotes

1
In 2009, Amsterdam had some 400 phone booths. Currently there are about 400 public telephones across the Netherlands. They are operated by advertising companies ↩︎

Anton Hein

Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website | + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 42 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.