Emergency contacts and services in Spain

Save these numbers in your phone before you need them. Emergencies don’t announce themselves, and you don’t want to be searching for contact information in a crisis. This guide covers emergency services in Spain, what to expect when you call, and how to get help when things go wrong.

Spain has well-developed emergency services with generally quick response times, especially in urban areas. The universal emergency number 112 connects you to all services and has multilingual operators available. Knowing how the system works helps you respond effectively when seconds matter.

Essential emergency numbers

The numbers below cover the most common emergency situations. Store them in your phone now—you may be helping someone else when you need them.

Number	Service	When to call
112	General emergency	Police, fire, medical — all emergencies
091	National Police	Crime, security issues
092	Local Police	Minor incidents, local issues
062	Guardia Civil	Rural areas, highways, borders
061	Medical emergency	Health emergencies (some regions)
080	Fire department	Fires (some regions)

Using 112

The number 112 is universal throughout Europe and should be your first call in any serious emergency. Operators answer and may ask “Policía, bomberos, o ambulancia?” (Police, fire, or ambulance?). They can connect you to the appropriate service based on your situation and often transfer calls for multi-service emergencies.

Multilingual support is usually available. If you don’t speak Spanish, say “English please”—most 112 operators have basic English or can transfer you to someone who does. Your mobile phone’s GPS helps operators locate you, but be prepared to provide your address or describe nearby landmarks.

Police services in Spain

Spain has multiple police forces with different jurisdictions, which can be confusing at first. Understanding which force handles what helps you contact the right one.

Policía Nacional (091)

The National Police is the main force in urban areas. They handle major crimes, immigration matters, ID document issues, and serious security incidents. You’ll recognize them by blue uniforms. If you need to report a crime, get documentation for insurance claims, or deal with immigration issues, the National Police is usually your contact.

Their stations (comisarías) exist throughout cities. For non-emergencies, going in person often works better than calling. Bring identification and be prepared to wait—police stations can be busy.

Guardia Civil (062)

The Guardia Civil is a military-style national force that covers rural areas, highways, borders, airports, and coastal waters. You’ll see them in green uniforms. If something happens outside a city—a car accident on a highway, trouble in a small village, or issues at the border—the Guardia Civil responds.

They also handle certain specialized matters like environmental crimes and arms trafficking. In practice, you don’t need to worry about jurisdiction—call 112 and let dispatchers route you appropriately.

Policía Local/Municipal (092)

City police forces handle local matters like traffic, noise complaints, local ordinances, and minor incidents. Their uniforms vary by city but often feature blue and white. For non-emergency local issues, the local police can be faster and more accessible than national forces.

Regional police forces

Catalonia has its own police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, which handles most policing in the region. Reach them through 088 or 112. The Basque Country has the Ertzaintza, also accessible through 112. In these regions, the regional forces are your primary police contact for most situations.

Getting a police report (denuncia)

You’ll need a police report for insurance claims after theft, to replace stolen documents, or to create an official record of incidents. The process involves going to the nearest police station with identification (or a passport copy if your passport was stolen), explaining what happened, and receiving a written report.

For some incidents, you can file online at policia.es, which saves time and avoids language barriers. Keep copies of any denuncia—you’ll need them for insurance and potentially for replacing documents.

Medical emergencies

When to call for an ambulance

Calling 112 or 061 brings emergency medical services. Call immediately for severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty—remember FAST), severe injuries, unconsciousness, severe allergic reactions, or suspected heart attack.

Regional differences exist. Most of Spain uses 112 for medical emergencies, but some regions like Catalonia emphasize 061 for health-specific calls. When in doubt, 112 always works and dispatchers route appropriately.

Going to the emergency room

Hospital emergency rooms are called “urgencias.” When you go, bring your health insurance card (tarjeta sanitaria for public coverage, or private insurance card), identification or passport, a list of medications you take, and a summary of relevant medical conditions if applicable.

Emergency rooms use triage systems that prioritize the most urgent cases. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, expect potential waits. Medical staff may not speak English, especially at smaller or regional hospitals. Having key Spanish phrases prepared or a translation app helps.

Pharmacies for minor issues

Spanish pharmacies (farmacias) handle many minor medical issues that might require a doctor’s visit elsewhere. The green cross sign marks pharmacies, which are well-staffed with trained pharmacists who can recommend treatments for common ailments. Some medications available only by prescription in other countries can be purchased directly.

When you need a pharmacy after hours, look for “Farmacia de Guardia” signs indicating which pharmacy is on duty. Local newspapers list duty pharmacies, you can call 010 for local information, or apps like Farmacias.com help locate open options.

Fire and rescue

In case of fire

Call 112 or 080 (varies by region) to report fires. Before calling, ensure your own safety first. Alert anyone nearby and evacuate the building. Don’t use elevators. Stay low if there’s smoke. Once outside, call emergency services and meet at a designated point if you have one.

Spanish fire services respond to building fires, vehicle fires, and wildfire situations. In summer, wildfires are a significant concern in many regions. Follow local alerts and evacuation orders if issued.

Rescue services

Dialing 112 connects you to rescue services for mountain emergencies, sea rescue, natural disasters, and serious road accidents. Spain’s rescue services are well-trained and equipped. For mountain activities, consider registering your route with local authorities or carrying a GPS tracker—it helps rescuers find you faster.

Important helplines

Beyond emergency services, Spain offers support lines for specific situations.

Service	Number	Purpose
Domestic violence	016	Free, confidential, 24/7
Suicide prevention	024	Crisis support
Child protection	116 111	Child helpline
Drug helpline	900 161 515	Information and support
Gender violence	016	Support for victims

The 016 domestic violence line provides confidential support around the clock. It doesn’t appear on phone bills, protecting callers’ privacy. The 024 suicide prevention line offers crisis support for anyone struggling.

Consular emergencies

Your home country’s embassy or consulate helps with serious situations abroad. Contact them for lost or stolen passports, arrest or detention, serious illness or death, and emergency travel documents. Find your embassy at exteriores.gob.es by searching for your country.

Save your embassy’s emergency contact number in your phone. Many embassies have 24-hour emergency lines for citizens in crisis.

Utilities emergencies

Gas leaks, electrical emergencies, and water issues require contacting utility companies.

Company	Emergency Line	Issue
Iberdrola	900 171 171	Electricity
Endesa	800 760 909	Electricity
Naturgy	900 750 750	Gas
Gas leaks	900 750 750	Any gas emergency

If you smell gas, act immediately. Open windows, don’t operate any switches or flames, evacuate the building, and call from outside. Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous—don’t take chances.

Roadside assistance

Car troubles on the road require either your insurance company’s roadside assistance (check your policy) or services like RACE at 900 100 222 (membership required). The DGT at 011 provides road information. For accidents involving injuries, call 112 first.

Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance—keep your insurance card and emergency number accessible in your vehicle.

What to do in specific emergencies

Traffic accidents

After a traffic accident, prioritize safety by moving to a safe location if possible. Call 112 if anyone is injured. Exchange information with other parties: names, insurance details, license plates. Take photos of damage, the scene, and license plates. Get a police report if there’s significant damage or injuries. Contact your insurance within required timeframes.

Keep a European Accident Statement form (Declaración Amistosa de Accidente) in your car. This standardized form simplifies insurance claims for minor accidents where both parties agree on what happened.

Theft and pickpocketing

Tourists and expats can be targets for theft, especially in crowded tourist areas. If you’re robbed, cancel cards immediately by calling your bank. File a police report at the nearest station—you’ll need it for insurance claims. Contact your embassy if your passport was stolen. Notify your insurance company for valuable items. Block your phone if it was stolen by calling your provider.

Prevention helps: keep copies of documents stored separately from originals, use a money belt in tourist areas, and stay aware of your surroundings in crowds.

Non-emergency medical situations

Not everything requires an ambulance. For urgent but not life-threatening situations, go directly to urgencias at the nearest hospital. For minor issues, visit your local centro de salud (health center) or a pharmacy. If you need advice on whether your situation requires emergency care, call 061 (medical helpline) in most regions.

Natural disasters

Spain faces various natural hazards depending on region.

For earthquakes, which occasionally affect southern and eastern Spain: drop, cover, and hold on. Stay away from windows. After shaking stops, evacuate if there’s damage, and call 112 if you’re injured.

For floods: move to higher ground immediately, don’t drive through floodwater (it’s more dangerous than it looks), and follow local authority instructions.

For wildfires, which are common in summer: evacuate if ordered, close windows and vents if sheltering in place, and follow 112 instructions. Summer heat also brings heat wave advisories—stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activity during peak heat.

Useful emergency apps

Download these before you need them:

App	Purpose
My112	Emergency app with GPS location
AlertCops	Police emergency app
Regional health apps	Appointment booking, information

My112 helps emergency services locate you precisely and provides direct contact. AlertCops allows you to send alerts to police including your location. Regional health apps (SACYL in Castilla y León, similar apps in other regions) help with non-emergency healthcare needs.

Communication in emergencies

Key Spanish phrases

If you don’t speak Spanish, these phrases can help:

• “Necesito ayuda” — I need help
• “Es una emergencia” — It’s an emergency
• “No hablo español” — I don’t speak Spanish
• “Necesito un médico” — I need a doctor
• “Policía” — Police
• “Ambulancia” — Ambulance
• “Fuego” — Fire

Remember that 112 operators often speak English. Ask for an English speaker if you’re struggling to communicate.

Providing location information

When calling emergency services, provide your city or town, street name and number, nearby landmarks, and your phone number. Many Spanish street signs show the postal code—this helps dispatchers locate you. If you’re in an unfamiliar area, look for business names or landmarks that might help identify your location.

Be prepared

Save these numbers in your phone now:

• 112 — All emergencies
• 091 — National Police
• 061 — Medical emergency
• 016 — Domestic violence
• 024 — Suicide prevention
• Your embassy’s emergency number
• Your insurance company’s emergency line

Being prepared means knowing these numbers before an emergency happens. Share them with family members and anyone traveling with you. In a crisis, having the right information immediately available can make a crucial difference. Stay safe, and remember that help is always a phone call away.