Must Know: Important phone numbers in Dubai — Essential 2025 contacts

Introduction

Dubai is one of the safest and most organized cities in the world, but being prepared is always smart. Whether you are a tourist exploring Burj Khalifa, an expat settling into a new neighbourhood, or a business traveler attending meetings, knowing the Important phone numbers can save you precious time in emergencies or daily inconveniences.

The emirate’s government agencies, utilities, and transport authorities are highly responsive, and Dubai is well known for its structured contact centres. Still, many residents and visitors don’t always know which Important phone numbers to dial when situations arise.

This guide compiles the most up-to-date contacts for 2025, providing not only the digits but also explanations of when to use them, what kind of response to expect, and practical tips to ensure help arrives as quickly as possible.

1. 🛟 Emergency services: Police, Ambulance, Fire (life-or-death)

If you only remember three Important phone numbers in Dubai, let them be:

999 — Police
998 — Ambulance
997 — Fire & Civil Defence

These numbers are part of a unified emergency network across the UAE. Calls are free, answered in English and Arabic, and operators are trained to dispatch the nearest team within minutes.

Other related Important phone numbers include:

996 — Coastguard (for marine emergencies)
995 — Rescue services (used for accidents and technical rescues)
991 — Electricity emergencies (when there is a hazardous failure)

Tip: Always state your exact location clearly — name of the building, community, or nearest landmark. Dubai has many similar-sounding districts, so giving a vague location can delay assistance.

2. 🚓 Dubai Police non-emergency services (901 helpline)

Not every issue requires flashing lights and sirens. For all non-urgent matters, the Important phone number to call is 901.

The Dubai Police 901 helpline is available 24/7 and covers:

Reporting lost and found items.
Traffic fines and inquiries.
General police information.
Assistance with e-services and online reports.
Community support or awareness programmes.

The service is multilingual and very popular with expats. In fact, Dubai Police encourage residents to use 901 instead of 999 unless it’s a real emergency, ensuring that the emergency line stays available for critical cases.

3. ⚕️ Health, hospitals, and medical hotlines

Dubai’s healthcare is world-class, and being familiar with health-related Important phone numbers is essential.

998 (Ambulance) remains the key line for emergencies.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) operates hotlines for queries on vaccinations, public health, and medical licensing.
Major hospitals such as Rashid Hospital, Dubai Hospital, and private providers like Mediclinic or Aster have direct lines — it’s wise to store the ones nearest to your home and office.
Poison Control Centre (via DHA) is another crucial number for families with children.

Pro tip: Many hospitals offer telemedicine hotlines. These allow you to consult doctors over the phone or through video call — useful if you’re unsure whether your case is an emergency or not.

4. 🔌 Utilities: Electricity, water, and gas services (DEWA)

Daily life in Dubai is powered by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority). Their Customer Care centre at 04-6019999 is one of the most important phone numbers.

You can use it to:

Report water or electricity outages.
Resolve billing issues.
Start or stop a connection when moving houses.
Request technical assistance for meter or supply problems.

For faster responses, DEWA also provides a mobile app and a WhatsApp chat service. However, in emergencies such as sparking cables or water leaks, calling the Important phone number directly is recommended.

5. 🚍 Transport and road services (RTA)

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) manages Dubai’s metro, tram, buses, marine transport, taxis, and road infrastructure. Their Call Centre 800 90 90 (or +971 4 605 1414 if calling from abroad) is one of the most used Important phone numbers.

You can contact RTA for:

Lost items in taxis, metros, or buses.
Nol card recharge or malfunction issues.
Complaints about public transport services.
Information about road tolls (Salik).

The line is available 24/7 and has options for English, Arabic, and other languages. RTA also encourages residents to use its smart apps for quicker service, but the Important phone numbers are still indispensable when apps fail or during urgent cases.

6. 🏥 Municipal, city services, and consumer protection

Dubai Municipality ensures the city remains clean, safe, and livable. The 800 900 call centre is the Important phone number to use for:

Pest control services.
Food safety complaints about restaurants.
Stray animal reporting.
Garbage and waste management issues.
Building code or public hygiene queries.

You can also dial +971 4 2215555 for direct inquiries. With a population that keeps growing, Dubai Municipality responds quickly to ensure residents have access to a healthy urban environment.

7. 🧾 Tourism, embassies, and consular support

For visitors, Important phone numbers extend beyond local hotlines. Always keep:

Your embassy or consulate’s 24/7 number. This is critical for lost passports, legal trouble, or natural disasters.
Dubai Tourist Police helpline, which provides multilingual assistance to visitors facing scams, lost property, or harassment.
Airport information desks for lost luggage or flight disruption support.

Tip: Store your embassy line under “Embassy — [Country]” in your contacts. In stressful situations, scrolling for a number buried under “C” for “Consulate” wastes valuable time.

8. 🛠️ Private services: roadside assistance, locksmiths, home emergencies

Not all problems are handled by government lines. Private Important phone numbers can make daily life smoother:

Roadside assistance from your insurance provider (towing, battery jump, tyre replacement).
Locksmiths for lost keys — but only call licensed providers.
Private ambulance or medical taxis for non-critical hospital transfers.
Emergency maintenance services for AC breakdowns during summer.

Unlike official emergency numbers, response times vary, so it’s best to store at least two alternative Important phone numbers for each service type.

9. 📱 Digital tools that complement phone hotlines

While this guide focuses on Important phone numbers, remember that Dubai has gone digital. The official DubaiNow app centralises more than 120 government services. Similarly, Dubai Police, DEWA, and RTA all have apps that handle many queries faster than a call.

However, in power cuts, mobile app failures, or when someone panics, old-fashioned Important phone numbers remain the most reliable. Experts recommend keeping a printed list at home, in your wallet, and in your car.

Practical advice for using Important phone numbers

Keep calm — operators are trained to guide you, but they need clear answers.
Give precise locations — mention nearby landmarks if you don’t know the street.
Save embassy contacts if you travel often.
Teach children the key Important phone numbers (999 for police, 998 for ambulance) and your home address.
Update your list yearly — hotlines sometimes change, especially private services.

Conclusion

Living in or visiting Dubai becomes much safer and easier when you know the right Important phone numbers. From emergencies like fires and accidents to everyday services such as water outages, lost Nol cards, or municipal complaints, having these numbers stored means faster help and less stress.

Remember:

999, 998, 997 — your top three emergency lines.
901 — Dubai Police non-emergency.
04-6019999 — DEWA Customer Care.
8009090 — RTA Call Centre.
800900 — Dubai Municipality hotline.

Add your embassy, insurer, and key private services, and you’ll always be prepared. Dubai thrives on efficiency — and with the Important phone numbers in your pocket, you can thrive too.

External links & quick references

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