# Emergency Numbers and Duty Pharmacies in Cyprus: A Newcomer's Quick Reference > Cyprus emergency numbers (112, 199, poison, forest fire, sea rescue) and how to find a duty pharmacy open now — a newcomer's quick reference. - Canonical: https://periodiko.com/cyprus-emergency-numbers-duty-pharmacies-guide/ - Updated: 2026-07-06 --- Save this page. When something goes wrong in Cyprus — a fall, a fever at 2 a.m., smoke on a hillside — you want the right number in one glance, not a search. This is a quick-reference guide for newcomers: the emergency numbers that work across the island, and how the duty-pharmacy rota keeps a chemist open every night, weekend and public holiday. ## What is the emergency number in Cyprus? The single most important number is **112**. It is the free, pan-European emergency number, it works from any mobile or landline (even with no credit or no SIM), and it connects you to **police, ambulance and fire service** through one operator. Cyprus also keeps its older national emergency number, **199**, which reaches exactly the same services. Either one works; if you only remember one number, remember 112. Operators answer in Greek and English, calls are free, and the line runs 24/7. If you cannot describe where you are, say so — the service can locate a mobile caller. There is no separate three-digit public number to dial an ambulance, the police or the fire brigade directly: in Cyprus all three are reached through 112 or 199. The specialist lines below are for specific situations. ## Cyprus emergency numbers at a glance | What you need | Number | Notes | |---|---|---| | Any life-threatening emergency (police, ambulance, fire) | **112** | Pan-European number; free; works with no SIM/credit | | Cyprus national emergency (same services) | **199** | Reaches the same police / ambulance / fire dispatch | | Poison Information Centre | **1401** | Suspected poisoning, medication overdose, chemical exposure | | Forest fire — report smoke or flames | **1407** | Department of Forests; for wildfires call this and/or 112 | | Sea or air rescue (JRCC) | **1441** | Joint Rescue Coordination Centre — maritime/aeronautical incidents | | Police citizens' line (non-emergency) | **1460** | For information and non-urgent police matters, not emergencies | ## When to call which number - **Medical emergency, crime in progress, road accident, someone trapped, or fire threatening people or buildings:** call **112** (or 199). This is your default. - **Suspected poisoning or overdose** — a child who swallowed something, a bad reaction, chemical contact: call the **Poison Information Centre on 1401**. If the person is unconscious or struggling to breathe, call **112** first. - **You see smoke or flames in the countryside:** call **1407** to reach the Department of Forests, and **112** if life or property is at immediate risk. - **Trouble at sea** — a swimmer in difficulty, a boat in distress, a person missing on the coast: call the **Joint Rescue Coordination Centre on 1441** (or 112). ## How does the duty-pharmacy system work in Cyprus? Ordinary Cypriot pharmacies keep shop hours and close in the evening, on Sundays and on public holidays. To make sure medicine is always reachable, the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health run a **duty (on-call) rota** — in Greek, *εφημερεύοντα φαρμακεία*. Every night, weekend and holiday, a set of pharmacies in each district takes its turn to stay open beyond normal hours so there is always somewhere to fill an urgent prescription or buy after-hours medication. The rota rotates: the pharmacy on duty tonight in your town is usually different from the one on duty tomorrow, so you cannot rely on a single address — you have to check who is on duty **right now** for your district (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta/Ammochostos). Duty pharmacies typically cover an evening/late shift after normal closing and again on Sundays and holidays. ## How to find a duty pharmacy that's open right now The practical way, as any local will tell you, is to check the official rota online or through a phone app rather than driving around hoping. 1. **Check the official Pharmaceutical Services rota.** The Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Services (moh.gov.cy / phs.moh.gov.cy) publish the on-duty pharmacy schedule; this is the authoritative source of who is on duty tonight. 2. **Use a Cyprus pharmacies app.** Smartphone apps list the pharmacies on duty in your district with address, phone and a map link — the fastest way after hours. On iPhone the app **"Pharmacies in Cyprus"** shows current and next-day on-call pharmacies; **"Cyprus Night Pharmacies"** is a comparable option on Android. 3. **Call the recorded duty-pharmacy info line.** Cyprus has premium-rate recorded lines that read out the pharmacies on duty by district. For **Nicosia** the number is **90901412**. If someone needs urgent medical help and cannot wait for a pharmacy, that is a **112** situation, not a duty-pharmacy one. ## Quick tips for newcomers - **Save 112 and 199 now**, before you need them, and add the Poison Centre (1401) if you have young children. - Pharmacists in Cyprus are highly accessible and many speak English; for minor ailments a pharmacy visit is often faster than a doctor. - Bring the **generic (active-ingredient) name** of any regular medication — brand names differ between countries. - After hours, check the **duty rota** before you leave home so you drive to a pharmacy that is actually open. ## FAQ **Is 112 or 199 the right emergency number in Cyprus?** Both work and reach the same police, ambulance and fire dispatch. 112 is the pan-European number and works across the EU, so it is the one to remember. Calls are free, 24/7, and answered in Greek and English. **Do I dial a different number for an ambulance, the police or the fire service?** No. In Cyprus all three are reached through 112 (or 199); the operator dispatches the service you need. There is no separate public three-digit ambulance or fire number. **How do I find a pharmacy open at night or on a Sunday?** Check the on-duty (εφημερεύοντα) rota published by the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, use a Cyprus pharmacies app that lists tonight's duty pharmacies for your district, or call the recorded duty-pharmacy info line for your city. The pharmacy on duty changes daily, so always check for the current date. **What number do I call to report a forest fire?** Call 1407 to reach the Department of Forests, and 112 as well if people or buildings are in immediate danger.