Emergency Numbers — What to Know
Greece uses 112 for all emergencies, with multilingual operators including English. Direct lines: 166 for EKAB (ambulance), 100 for police, 199 for fire. In Athens, EKAB ambulance response can take 15–30 minutes due to traffic congestion; if mobile, consider taking a taxi to the nearest hospital for urgent but non-critical situations. The Tourist Police (171) operate a dedicated English-speaking line and can assist with complaints about services, lost property, and crime reports.
Non-Emergency Resources
SOS Doctors Athens (1016) provides 24/7 house-call doctors with English-speaking physicians — fees are reasonable and often covered by travel insurance. Pharmacies (farmakeía) follow a rotation schedule for 24-hour coverage; check the posted notices on any closed pharmacy or call 1434 for the nearest open one. The Poison Control Centre (210 779 3777) operates 24/7. Most embassies are in the Kolonaki and Psychiko neighbourhoods.
Emergency Phrases
| English | Local |
|---|---|
| Help! | Βοήθεια! (Voítheia!)voh-EE-thee-ah |
| Call an ambulance | Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο (Kaléste asthenofóro)kah-LESS-teh ahs-theh-noh-FOH-roh |
| I need a doctor | Χρειάζομαι γιατρό (Chreiázomai giatró)khree-AH-zoh-meh yah-TROH |
| Where is the hospital? | Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο; (Poú eínai to nosokomeío?)POO EE-neh toh noh-soh-koh-MEE-oh |
| Fire! | Φωτιά! (Fotiá!)foh-TYAH |
| Police! | Αστυνομία! (Astynomía!)ahs-tee-noh-MEE-ah |
Practical Tips for Tourists
Athens' main public hospitals include Evangelismos Hospital (central Athens, largest ER), Laiko General Hospital, and KAT Hospital (trauma centre in Kifissia). Private hospitals like Metropolitan Hospital and Hygeia Hospital offer English-speaking staff and shorter waits. Public hospitals treat emergencies regardless of nationality; EU citizens use their EHIC.
Greek SIMs from Cosmote, Vodafone, or Wind are available at the airport and phone shops in Syntagma and Monastiraki. EU roaming applies. Emergency calls work from any phone. Athens has free Wi-Fi in major squares (Syntagma, Monastiraki) and most cafés.
Athens is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft concentrates around Monastiraki flea market, Omonia Square, and on the Metro. The Tourist Police office at Veikou 43 (Koukaki) handles visitor complaints and theft reports in English. Summer heat is a genuine medical risk — stay hydrated and avoid midday sun from June through September.
🇬🇷 See all Greece emergency numbers
