hone numbers for the national emergency services: fire, police and ambulance. Contact details for drug help, crisis lines, emergency medical help, plus on-duty pharmacists…
| Service | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Medical Service (Ambulancia) | Tel: 061 |
| National Police (Policía Nacional) | Tel: 091 |
| Local Police (Policía Municipal) | Tel: 092 |
| Fire Service (Bomberos) | Tel: 080 |
| Sea Rescue (Salvamento y segurida maritima) | Tel: 900 202 202
Tel: 112 |
European Emergency Number Association: calls to 112 are free from any phone (mobile or cellular of fixed-line).
- Information on the 112 number from the European Commission website
Medical Emergencies
In case of a medical emergency go directly to a hospital, where emergency services are generally available. A social security health card (TSI), a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for an EU resident visiting Spain, or proof of private insurance should be presented at the hospital.
Note: The EHIC card gives the right to free emergency treatment for residents of EU/EEA countries in state hospitals or clinics only. Treatments not qualifying as an emergency are not free. Bilateral agreements exist with some countries such as Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Andorra. Citizens from these countries may benefit from free medical treatment in cases of medical emergencies or accidents. Citizens of other countries should have private medical insurance when travelling to Spain.
Crisis and Help Lines
| Service | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Crisis Lines | Tel: 966 421 434 |
| Drugs | Tel: 915 620 420 |
| HIV/AIDS | Tel: 902 424 424 |
| Child Abuse | Tel: 917 262 700 |
| Women Abuse | Tel: 900 100 009 |
| Suicide/Crisis Line | Tel: 966 421 434 |
| Red Cross | Tel: 963 677 375 |
| Anti-Poison | Tel: 915 620 420 |
| Emergency Doctor and Hospitals | Tel: 112 |
| Emergency Dentists | Tel: 961 496 199 |
| Emergency Vet | Tel: 963 744 731 |
| Pharmacy/Chemist On Duty | Tel: 963 600 313 |
| Costa Blanca SAMARITANS English-language Costa Blanca-based helpline provides free, confidential emotional support. Takes calls from English speakers anywhere in Spain and provides a full 24 hours a day service all year round. |
Tel: 900 525 100 |
| Helpline for Women in Violent Situations | Tel: 900 580 888 |
| Helpline for the Elderly (Telefono Dorado de Atención a la Tercera Edad) |
Tel: 900 222 223 |
| 24-hour Information and Helpline for Women (Telefono de Información y Denuncias) |
Tel: 900 191 010 |
| 24-hour Social Help Centre | Tel: 900 703 030 |
| Minors’ Helpline | Website(in Spanish) |
Glossary of Emergency Terms and Phrases
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Accident | Accidente |
| Emergency | Emergencia/Urgencia |
| I need an ambulance | Necesito una ambulancia |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médico |
| I need the police | Necesito la policia |
| Heart attack | Ataque cardiaco/Infarto |
| Strokes | El accidente vascular cerebral |
| Very sick | Muy mal |
| Ambulance | Ambulancia |
| Emergency services | Servicios de urgencia |
| Doctor | Médico |
| Fire Service/Brigade | Bomberos |
| Medical centres | Centros médicos |
| Pharmacy | Farmacia |
| Samaritans | Teléfono de la Esperanza |
| Serious illness | Enfermedad grave |
Understanding the Police Services
National Police (Policía Nacional): cover mainly urban areas across Spain. Their duties include dealing with terrorism, national security, protecting national and international dignitaries and combatting crime with a national impact (spread across different regions).
Civil Guard (Guardia Civil): is a military force that operates mainly in rural areas and is responsible for dealing with robberies, drug offences, murders and fatal traffic accidents.
Local Police (Policía Municipal): cover towns and cities. In general they deal with traffic control and offences, lost property and crimes such as muggings and neighbourhood disputes.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (farmacias) are generally open from Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:30, and Saturday 09:30 to 14:00. Information about pharmacies open 24 hours a day (Farmacia de guardia) can normally be found on the window or doors of any pharmacy.
- To find a local farmacia de guardia
