•• EMERGENCY NUMBERS ••
Emergency numbers
Kindertelefoon: (www.kindertelefoon.nl) 0800 0432
112 is the number for emergency police, ambulance or fire (www.brandweer.nl). You will be asked for the address and city where you are calling from and the nature of the emergency. Police: (www.politie.nl) 0900 8844 is the non-emergency number. You will be connected to your local police station. If your passport has been stolen, contact your embassy immediately for instructions as to what to do next. You generally need to make a statement at a police station to start any kind of official procedure (insurance, applying for a new passport etc.). Helplines ACCESS: (www.access-nl.org) Invaluable resource for all international residents. 0900 2 222 377 (20c per minute) helpdesk@access-nl.org Alcoholics Anonymous: (www.aa-netherlands.org) National: 020 625 6057 Gay & Lesbian Switchboard: (www.switchboard.nl) National: 020 623 6565 Public holidays There are a few regional variations with carnaval celebrated in February and March in Catholic areas. For all Dutch citizens, Queen’s Day is the big one. Sinterklaas [Not an official holiday.] Monday, 5 December 2011 Christmas Day (eerste Kerstdag) Sunday, 25 December 2011 Boxing Day (tweede Kerstdag) Monday, 26 December 2011
SOS 24-hour helpline: (www.sensoor.nl) Staffed by Dutch volunteers but many speak English. 0900 0767 Gas and electricity emergencies: (www.gasenstroomstoringen.nl) If you suspect a gas leak (gaslucht) or have a power problem (stroomstoring) the national line is 0800 9009 or, for serious emergencies posing a public threat, call 112. Water emergency: Contact your local gemeente for serious (sewage) issues. If the problem is in the length of pipe between the street and your house, this is the local water board’s responsibility. Otherwise search the yellow pages (gouden gids) for a loodgieter (plumber). Lost and stolen: American Express 020 504 8666 Diners Club 020 557 3407 VISA 0800 022 3110 MasterCard/EuroCard 0800 022 5821 Lost property Schiphol:
New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaar) Sunday, 1 January 2012 Good Friday [Not an official holiday.] Friday, 6 April 2012 Easter Sunday/Monday (Pasen) Sunday/Monday, 8/ 9 April 2012 Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag) Monday, 30 April 2012 National Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) Friday, 4 May 2012 [Not an official holiday.]
WWW.EXPATICA.COM | THE NETHERLANDS EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE
0900 0141
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) [Official holiday every 5 years]. 5 May 2012 Ascension (Hemelvaart) Thursday, 17 May 2012 Whitsun (Pinksteren) Sunday, 27 June or Monday, 28 May 2012 School holidays: www.minocw.nl/schoolvakanties
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