How do I say 'help' and 'call an ambulance' in Portugal?

Key emergency phrases: "Help!" = "Socorro!"; "Call an ambulance" = "Chame uma ambulância"; "I need a doctor" = "Preciso de um médico"; "Where is the hospital?" = "Onde é o hospital?".

Lisbon Emergency Guide

Q: What emergency number should I call in Lisbon?

Portugal uses 112 for all emergencies. Operators speak Portuguese; English-speaking operators are available but may require a brief wait. INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) dispatches ambulances and medical helicopters through the 112 system. In Lisbon, ambulance response times average 10–18 minutes depending on traffic and location. The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) handles urban policing; the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) covers rural areas and highways. Both are reached through 112 or directly at a station.

Q: Which hospitals in Lisbon treat tourists?

Lisbon's main public hospitals include Hospital de Santa Maria (the largest in Portugal), Hospital de São José (central Lisbon), and Hospital CUF Descobertas (private, with English-speaking staff and shorter waits). Public hospital emergency departments treat all patients regardless of nationality. EU citizens should present their EHIC; others need travel insurance or pay out of pocket. Portuguese emergency departments are often crowded — expect 2–5 hour waits for non-urgent cases.

Emergency numbers, hospitals, safety tips, and local emergency phrases for tourists visiting Lisbon, Portugal. Tap any number to call.

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Emergency Universal emergency number for all services 112

Fire Fire brigade and wildfire response 112 117

Police Law enforcement and crime reporting 112

Ambulance Emergency medical transport and paramedic dispatch 112

Emergency Numbers — What to Know

Portugal uses 112 for all emergencies. Operators speak Portuguese; English-speaking operators are available but may require a brief wait. INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) dispatches ambulances and medical helicopters through the 112 system. In Lisbon, ambulance response times average 10–18 minutes depending on traffic and location. The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) handles urban policing; the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) covers rural areas and highways. Both are reached through 112 or directly at a station.

Non-Emergency Resources

The SNS 24 health line (808 24 24 24) provides free 24/7 medical triage in Portuguese and English — call before going to an emergency room for non-critical issues, as they can direct you to the nearest open health centre. Pharmacies (farmácias) are marked with a green cross; a rotation system ensures 24-hour coverage. The Farmácia Estácio near Rossio is centrally located. Consulates cluster around Avenida da Liberdade and the Lapa neighbourhood.

Emergency Phrases

English	Local
Help!	Socorro!soh-KOH-hoo
Call an ambulance	Chame uma ambulânciaSHAH-mee OO-mah ahm-boo-LAHN-syah
I need a doctor	Preciso de um médicopreh-SEE-zoo deh oom MEH-dee-koo
Where is the hospital?	Onde é o hospital?OHN-deh eh oo ohsh-pee-TAHL
Fire!	Fogo!FOH-goo
Police!	Polícia!poh-LEE-syah

Practical Tips for Tourists

Lisbon's main public hospitals include Hospital de Santa Maria (the largest in Portugal), Hospital de São José (central Lisbon), and Hospital CUF Descobertas (private, with English-speaking staff and shorter waits). Public hospital emergency departments treat all patients regardless of nationality. EU citizens should present their EHIC; others need travel insurance or pay out of pocket. Portuguese emergency departments are often crowded — expect 2–5 hour waits for non-urgent cases.

Portuguese SIMs from MEO, NOS, or Vodafone are available at the airport and phone shops throughout the city. EU roaming rules apply. Emergency calls (112) work from any phone. Lisbon has expanding free Wi-Fi coverage in public squares and municipal buildings.

Lisbon is one of Europe's safer capitals, but petty theft occurs on Tram 28, around Baixa-Chiado, Alfama, and at Belém. The PSP Tourism Police (Esquadra de Turismo) at Praça dos Restauradores provides multilingual theft reporting. Lisbon's hilly terrain and cobblestones are a trip hazard — sturdy footwear reduces injury risk.

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🇵🇹 Lisbon Emergency Guide