Helplines in Bosnia and Herzegovina

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call the ambulance on 124 or the police on 122. These are the numbers to use first, from a mobile or a landline, wherever you are in the country.

The services listed here work in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian, and none of them states that it offers English. If you don't speak the local languages, it is still worth calling, and emergency services will usually find a way to help you. A friend, colleague or neighbour who can speak for you on the line may also make the first call easier.

Women and anyone experiencing violence at home have dedicated SOS numbers. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, call 1265, which routes calls to regional safe houses. In Republika Srpska, the SOS number for women experiencing violence is 1264. The SOS crvena linija on 033 222 000 is open 24/7 for reporting domestic violence in Sarajevo Canton and beyond, and offers psychological support. Safe house addresses are kept confidential so abusers cannot find them; the helpline is the safe way in and can arrange a place. Children and young people can call Plavi telefon free on 080 05 03 05, or use its online chat, anonymously and in confidence.

If you are calling from a foreign SIM, dial the short numbers as shown. For the Sarajevo line, +387 33 222 000 also works from abroad. Each number here was checked at its official source, with the date shown next to it.