Services of social importance
Taking into account the obligations set out in the European Commission Decision of 15 February 2007 on reserving the national numbering range starting with digits "116" for harmonised numbers for services of social value (2007/116/EC), the European Commission Decision of 29 October 2007 amending Decision 2007/116/EC regarding the introduction of additional reserved numbers beginning with "116" (2007/698/EC), and the European Commission Decision of 30 November 2009 further amending Decision 2007/116/EC regarding the introduction of additional reserved numbers starting with "116" (2009/884/EC), as well as European recommendations in this area, six-digit short codes and SMS codes in the 116XXX range have been pre-reserved for services of social value under the National Numbering Plan (Official Gazette No. 45/23).
These numbers are harmonised across Europe. Aligning numbering resources is essential to ensure that services provided in different Member States are accessible to end-users via the same number. The combination of "same number - same service" guarantees that a given service, regardless of the Member State in which it is provided, is always associated with the same number throughout the EU. This creates a service with a pan-European identity, benefiting European citizens who will know that by dialling the same number they will access the same type of service in different Member States. This measure also encourages the development of pan-European services.
All providers of publicly available telephone services are obliged to enable the establishment of all calls to numbers within the range starting with the digits "116". They are also required, to the greatest extent possible, to facilitate access to these numbers for end-users with disabilities, particularly when such users are travelling to other EU Member States.
These numbers are harmonised across Europe. Aligning numbering resources is essential to ensure that services provided in different Member States are accessible to end-users via the same number. The combination of "same number - same service" guarantees that a given service, regardless of the Member State in which it is provided, is always associated with the same number throughout the EU. This creates a service with a pan-European identity, benefiting European citizens who will know that by dialling the same number they will access the same type of service in different Member States. This measure also encourages the development of pan-European services.
All providers of publicly available telephone services are obliged to enable the establishment of all calls to numbers within the range starting with the digits "116". They are also required, to the greatest extent possible, to facilitate access to these numbers for end-users with disabilities, particularly when such users are travelling to other EU Member States.
Numbers Reserved for Services of Social Importance
| Number | Service of Particular Social Sensitivity for which the Harmonised European Short Code is Reserved | Service provider | Description ans special condicions for use of the number | Status |
| 116000 | Hotline for Missing Children |
Centre for Missing and Abused Children | The service receives reports of missing children and forwards them to the police. It offers assistance and support to those responsible for the missing child and helps with the investigation. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | The number has been assigned for the period from 21 June 2022 to 21 June 2025. |
| 116006 | Call Center for Victims of Crime |
Association for Support to Victims and Witnesses | The service enables victims of crime to receive emotional support, to be informed about their rights and how to exercise those rights, and to be referred to the appropriate authorities or organisations. It specifically provides information on the local police and court proceedings, compensation options, and insurance-related matters. It also offers support in identifying other forms of assistance available to victims of crime. | The number has been allocated for the period from 21 July 2023 to 21 July 2026. |
| 116016 | Helpline for Victims of Violence Against Women |
Autonomous Women's House Zagreb | The service enables victims of violence against women to seek help and support, to be informed about their rights and how to exercise them, and to be referred to relevant organisations. | The number has been allocated for the period from 28 September 2023 to 28 September 2026. |
| 116111 | Child Helpline |
Brave Phone | The service supports children in need of care and protection and connects them with relevant services and resources. It provides children with the opportunity to express their fears, talk about issues that directly affect them, and reach out to someone in emergency situations. | The number has been allocated for the period from 28 July 2024 to 28 July 2027. |
| 116117 | Non-Emergency Medical Services |
- | The service directs callers to medical assistance that suits their needs, which are urgent but not life-threatening. It is especially, though not exclusively, intended for calls made outside regular working hours, during weekends, or public holidays. It connects the caller with a specialist at the call centre or directly with qualified medical staff or a doctor. | Reserved / not assigned |
| 116123 | Emotional support helpline | - | The service enables callers to benefit from genuine human contact based on attentive and objective listening. It offers emotional support to callers who suffer from loneliness, are experiencing a psychological crisis, or are contemplating suicide. | Reserved / not assigned |
The allocation procedure is prescribed by the documentation for assigning numbers from the 116XXX numbering range for social services, which can be found below: