What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Greece

Emergency in Greece right now? Call 112. It is the free national and European emergency number, connecting urgent police, ambulance, fire and coastguard assistance. Greece also lists 100 for police, 166 for ambulance (EKAV), 199 for fire and rescue, and 108 for the Coast Guard. Give your location and the danger immediately. If somebody is seriously injured, threatened or trapped, call now.

This guide covers Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Cyclades, mainland Greece, islands and mountain communities. The numbers and first actions appear at the top. The following sections explain how 112 works for callers and how 112 also sends public-warning messages about wildfires, flooding and other hazards, with practical advice for earthquakes, coastal emergencies, extreme heat and travel. Information checked against Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection on 6 November 2026.

Quick emergency numbers to save in Greece

112 — integrated European emergency number: urgent police, EKAV ambulance, fire/rescue, Hellenic Coast Guard and other associated responders. Free, 24 hours a day.
100 — Hellenic Police: immediate police assistance for violence, serious threats or crimes in progress.
166 — EKAV / ambulance: emergency medical care, major injury, collapse or severe symptoms.
199 — Hellenic Fire Service: fires, smoke and urgent rescue needs, including dangerous forest fires.
108 — Hellenic Coast Guard: urgent help at sea, for vessels, maritime distress and relevant coastal rescue.
210 7793 777 — Poison Centre: specialist advice about suspected poisoning and toxic exposure. When a person is unresponsive, has a seizure or cannot breathe normally, call 112 or 166 immediately.
1056 — National Helpline for Children SOS: child safety, safeguarding and relevant protection support. For an immediate threat, use 112.
116000 — European Hotline for Missing Children: information and safeguarding support for a missing child; urgent police danger or rescue can be reported through 112.

The Ministry’s 112 inbound emergency service page confirms that 112 reaches Police, Fire, EKAV, Coast Guard and participating child-protection services. Its official emergency numbers list confirms the direct emergency and poisons numbers. Knowing 112 alone is enough to begin a serious emergency call if you cannot remember the specialised route.

The first 60 seconds: seven useful actions

Identify the immediate hazard. Move away from fire, smoke, dangerous water, violent threats, traffic, falling rocks and unstable structures if safe; during earthquake shaking, protect yourself first.
Call 112. Describe whether the danger requires medical, police, fire or maritime rescue; if you know a direct number, that is also an option.
Say where you are immediately. Give the island or mainland region, town or municipality, street, building number, floor and landmark. At a beach or on a mountain, identify the named access point or trail.
Describe the event in one sentence. ‘Someone collapsed’, ‘flames are spreading through the pine forest’, or ‘a swimmer is in distress’.
Count people affected and the current threat. Mention unconsciousness, severe bleeding, breathing problems, injuries, people trapped or unable to evacuate.
Follow the operator’s directions. Remain connected as advised and provide first aid only within your training or following instructions.
Help responders find a safe route. Arrange for someone to meet the crew at a marked road junction, marina entrance, hotel lobby or safe trail access when appropriate.

Example call: ‘Ambulance, please. One adult is unconscious at [hotel and street], [town], on [island or region]. Room [number], ground floor. The entrance is beside [landmark]. My callback number is [number].’ It is more helpful to say ‘Rhodes, Lindos, near the east car park’ than to tell the dispatcher only ‘I’m on a Greek island’.

Calling 112 in Greece: voice, SMS, email and language support

Greece’s emergency communications service confirms several contact methods. You can dial 112 from a mobile or landline, including a supported mobile phone without a SIM card and from a locked phone’s emergency call screen. It also accepts SMS/MMS to 112, email to contact@112.gov.gr and supported communication through the official gov.gr app. For an urgent live emergency, a functioning voice call is usually the clearest route when possible.

The government says its 112 operators answer in Greek, English and French. This is especially useful for visitors, although it is still important to report a clear Greek address and the correct island or region. An emergency call may use another available mobile network if your own provider has no coverage, but an ordinary mobile cannot create network connectivity where none exists.

When texting, the Ministry asks you to include what happened, where, when and whether people are injured. Example: ‘FIRE. [island], [village], [street or landmark], three people in building, one trapped. Cannot talk. Reply to this number.’ Text is useful when speaking is impossible, but do not substitute a draft email for an urgent telephone call if voice communication is available. Official directions: Greece Civil Protection: when and how to call 112.

What happens after the emergency operator answers?

112 is a common entry point to several services. The emergency operator asks for the location and reason for the call, then ensures the appropriate service is informed and coordinates urgent assistance. Greece’s Ministry describes integrated staffing involving police, fire, coastguard and ambulance agencies. Additional questions can establish how many crews are needed and which access road or entrance is suitable.

Mobile location data may help, but it will not necessarily identify the room, hotel gate, mountain trail or beach access. In Athens a street may have multiple building entrances. On Santorini a cliffside accommodation can be accessed by stairs and a different road than a map suggests. On an island, name the island and town or beach clearly; do not give only a hotel brand shared across multiple destinations.

Medical emergency: when to use 166 or 112

Unconsciousness, severe chest pain or breathing difficulty

Call 166 or 112 when a person collapses, is not breathing normally, has severe breathing trouble, major bleeding, signs of stroke, serious trauma, a possible heart attack or another immediately dangerous medical condition. Describe symptoms that you can see, not a speculative diagnosis. Follow the operator’s instructions about positioning, CPR, an automatic external defibrillator (AED) or other first aid.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR and an AED can be time-critical. A trained helper can begin appropriate action while another calls emergency services or brings an available AED. Do not give drinks or medication to someone who cannot swallow safely. Avoid unnecessary movement of a person with a serious injury unless the surrounding danger requires it.

Greece has islands and mountainous regions where ambulances, boats or aircraft may be required to reach or transfer patients. Do not attempt to decide yourself which emergency vehicle should be sent; report the scene, people, injuries and safe access. The operator and responders can judge the appropriate resources.

Non-emergency illness or a minor injury

A mild illness, routine medication question or stable non-serious injury does not automatically require an emergency ambulance. An appropriate pharmacy, local medical clinic, GP or health service may be a better next step, depending on severity. Ask qualified medical staff for advice when uncertain; if the person develops severe breathing difficulty, loses consciousness or has other life-threatening symptoms, escalate to 112 or 166 immediately.

Fire in a hotel, flat, village or forest

Call 199 or 112 for a fire. Alert other people when safe, evacuate using the designated escape route and close doors behind you where this can be done safely. Avoid ordinary lifts during an active building fire, and do not re-enter smoke to retrieve passports, money or luggage. If you cannot escape, give your exact floor, room and window or staircase location to dispatch.

If the fire is outside in vegetation, describe the forest, hill, village, nearby road or trail and which direction flames appear to be moving. Never drive toward thick smoke to photograph the fire or verify its spread. A hillside road can become impassable quickly, and dangerous heat or smoke can move ahead of the visible flames.

Greece’s wildfire season: how to use a 112 alert correctly

Greek 112 has a second role beyond receiving calls: it can send public alerts by Cell Broadcast to compatible mobile phones in threatened areas. The Ministry says alerts can warn about forest fires, storms, heavy rain, snowfall, earthquakes and industrial incidents. A warning might tell people to evacuate a specific village toward a named road, avoid an area, shelter indoors or take another immediate protective action.

A 112 warning does not mean every receiver needs to dial 112. First read the place, hazard, direction and instruction. If the authority tells your area to evacuate, leave promptly using the specified route if safe. Do not drive toward the burning area or assume a road suggested by your navigation app remains open. Call 112 if someone needs emergency assistance rather than simply to ask whether the alert is genuine.

The government’s 112 public-warning FAQ explains the automatically delivered mobile alerts. Most smartphones with supported software receive Cell Broadcast warnings; older devices or landline users may need to register for alternative alerts. You do not need to register a compatible recent smartphone just to receive Cell Broadcast.

What to do before and during a dangerous forest fire

The Ministry’s forest-fire advice emphasises prevention: avoid open burning, sparks and campfires in dry vegetation during risk periods; respect forest access restrictions; keep combustible materials away from buildings where permitted; and plan an evacuation route. Homeowners in forest-adjacent areas should maintain vegetation responsibly according to the law and local fire-safety directions.

If a fire approaches, keep calm, follow official notices and leave early if directed. Roads can become blocked by vehicles or smoke. Protect children, older people, those with respiratory problems and anyone who needs mobility support. If authorities direct staying inside rather than evacuation for a specific incident, follow that instruction and the fire service’s guidance on windows and ventilation.

Important: generic fire instructions cannot replace an actual evacuation command. A specific police or civil protection order has priority over what is written in a travel guide. The government’s Forest Fires protection guidelines provide detailed advice about planning and actions.

Earthquake: protect during shaking, assess damage afterwards

When an earthquake begins, stay away from glass, shelves, exterior walls and objects that might fall. If indoors, the Greek Ministry recommends taking cover beneath sturdy furniture, kneeling and holding on; if no suitable furniture is nearby, lower yourself and shield your head and neck with your hands. Do not run out of a building during strong shaking or rush toward a crowded exit.

In a shop, hotel or restaurant, remain clear of glass and panicking crowds until shaking stops. If outdoors, move away from buildings, trees and overhead cables when safe. In a vehicle, stop in an open safe location away from bridges, tunnels and power lines where possible. Once shaking ends, assess any injuries and damaged structures, expect aftershocks and follow emergency-service instructions.

If the building is visibly unsafe or authorities direct evacuation, use the stairs and move to a safe open area rather than relying on lifts. Do not return into a seriously damaged structure to retrieve luggage. Call 112 if someone is trapped or seriously injured. Official guidance: Greek Civil Protection earthquake safety.

Tsunami after a strong coastal earthquake

Although not every earthquake generates a tsunami, Greece’s ministry warns that coastal areas may be affected after strong seismic activity. If you feel strong shaking near a low-lying shore, move away from the sea and toward higher inland ground after shaking stops, following local signs and official instructions. A sudden unusual rise or fall in sea level is another natural warning sign. Do not approach the shore to watch a tsunami.

A tsunami can arrive in more than one wave, and the first may not be the strongest. Stay out of threatened harbour, beach and estuary areas until authorities issue an all-clear. On an island, a winding coastal road can be more dangerous than a short signed path to high ground; know local evacuation routes in advance. If people are trapped or injured, report their exact position to 112.

Flooding and flash floods: avoid torrents and underpasses

Intense rain can turn dry riverbeds and narrow channels into dangerous torrents, particularly on steep islands, hillsides or built-up areas. Greece’s Civil Protection guidance advises never crossing a torrent on foot or by car. Do not drive into a flooded underpass, even when another driver has passed. Water can hide damaged bridges, debris and electrical hazards.

If floodwater rises around a building, avoid underground garages and basements. Move to a safer higher point or follow official evacuation instructions. If water blocks a safe exit, call 112 and tell responders the number of people, exact floor and nearest access road. Never enter a flooded basement to rescue a car or disconnect electricity.

After flooding, damaged pavement, debris, mudslides and contaminated water may remain dangerous long after rain has stopped. Do not return to an area until it is declared safe, and avoid touching damaged electrical infrastructure. The official hazard guidance is accessible through Civil Protection protection guidelines.

Storm warnings, dangerous winds, snow and heat

Greece can experience dangerous wind, thunderstorms, snow in mountainous areas and extreme heat. Monitor the Hellenic National Meteorological Service and 112 warnings. During storms, move away from exposed peaks, open water, loose signs and unstable trees. Do not shelter under isolated trees during lightning. During snow, avoid blocked roads and follow closures rather than driving around barriers.

During heatwaves, avoid unnecessary strenuous activity during the hottest periods, use shade and cooling, and check on older adults and people with medical conditions or limited access to cooling. A person who collapses, becomes severely confused, has seizures or shows signs of dangerous heatstroke needs urgent medical assessment. Call 166 or 112 when life is at risk.

Do not assume that every 112 public warning requires evacuating. Some alerts call for sheltering, changing travel routes or closing facilities. Read the exact notice. The Greek Ministry explains the meaning of 112 notifications in its frequently asked questions.

Sea rescue: which number works on Greek islands?

For a person in serious distress at sea, call 108 Coast Guard or 112. Explain which island or coastal town you are near, the harbour or beach, vessel name if known, number of people and approximate position. Supply coordinates if you have them accurately; do not guess. If the vessel has marine radio, follow the locally applicable distress communication procedure.

Greek ferries, marinas and beaches may be busy, with several piers or landing points in one port. Report the exact pier, ferry name, island and route, not simply ‘near the port’. Do not enter dangerous surf to attempt rescue without training and equipment; direct rescue crews to the safest access point when possible.

Police, violence and theft: when 100 or 112 is appropriate

Call 100 or 112 for an assault, serious threat, crime in progress or urgent police protection. Move out of danger when possible and describe what you actually saw, including relevant weapons, injuries and the direction a person travelled. Avoid confronting or following someone to obtain photographs. For a non-immediate theft discovered later, contact local police through their reporting arrangements.

In tourist areas, a person may be worried about a missing wallet, passport or insurance claim. Those are important issues after immediate safety has been addressed, but do not use an urgent emergency line for a routine lost-property enquiry. A violent robbery in progress and a forgotten bag are not equivalent situations.

Poisoning and children: a specialist line is not ambulance dispatch

Greece’s Civil Protection directory lists the Poison Centre on 210 7793 777. Contact experts promptly when someone may have swallowed a medicine, household chemical, toxic plant or other harmful substance, unless the person is already critically ill, in which case 112 or 166 should be called immediately. Keep the product label or container if safe and describe the time, quantity and symptoms.

Do not force vomiting or administer an improvised antidote. For a chemical eye or skin exposure, seek appropriate decontamination instructions while avoiding contamination yourself. A child needing immediate physical protection, police response or urgent care may require 112; 1056 is a distinct child safeguarding and helpline service, not the ambulance number.

Greek words and phrases that help during a call

Βοήθεια! (Voítheia!) — Help!
Χρειάζομαι ασθενοφόρο (Chreiázomai asthenofóro) — I need an ambulance.
Υπάρχει φωτιά (Ypárchei fotiá) — There is a fire.
Καλέστε την αστυνομία (Kaléste tin astynomía) — Call the police.
Κάποιος είναι αναίσθητος (Kápoios eínai anaísthitos) — Someone is unconscious.
Η διεύθυνση είναι… (I diéft hynsi eínai…) — The address is…
Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (Miláte angliká?) — Do you speak English?
Είμαστε στο… (Eímaste sto…) — We are at…

These phrases are approximate aids, not a guarantee of pronunciation or location identification. Greece’s 112 call centre officially supports English and French as well as Greek. The simplest approach for a visitor is to say ‘English, please’, then give a complete address or nearby landmark. A hotel employee may assist safely, but urgent calling should not wait for a translator.

How to give a useful address on a Greek island or in a city

Island or mainland region: name Crete, Rhodes, Lesbos, Corfu, Attica or the location where relevant.
Municipality and town: provide the town, village or community, not only the island.
Urban address: street, number, building, floor and nearest safe entrance.
Transit: station, bus stop, port terminal, pier or signed exit.
Coastal location: named beach, bay, harbour, resort or path to an access road.
Mountain incident: trail name, refuge, marked path, parking area or verified GPS coordinates.
Callback: a working phone number and whether the road is blocked, the phone battery is low or a person is moving to safety.

A household emergency plan for Greece

Save 112, 100, 166, 199 and 108 with their specific purposes.
Write your complete address or accommodation location in Greek and English, including an island name, if relevant.
Identify the nearest safe fire exit and outside meeting point.
Before forest-fire season, learn the official evacuation route and avoid ignition hazards around dry vegetation.
Near the coast, know the route inland or to high ground after serious shaking or a tsunami warning.
Keep needed medicine, water, first-aid items, a torch, suitable shoes and a charged power bank.
Plan who helps children, older relatives and people needing mobility or communication assistance.
Keep emergency-warning reception enabled on mobile phones and check official Civil Protection alerts.

Mistakes that put people at risk

Ignoring a location-specific 112 evacuation instruction because an old travel map shows the road as open.
Calling 112 simply to ask whether everyone else received the same Cell Broadcast warning.
Approaching wildfire flames or the coast after an earthquake to film a dramatic scene.
Trying to drive through a torrent or flooded underpass on a familiar island road.
Giving only a hotel chain or an island name without the village, beach, gate or usable access point.
Leaving a building during intense shaking rather than taking protective cover first.
Assuming every child’s poisoning requires a home remedy instead of seeking specialist advice.
Trying to save vehicles or possessions from a spreading fire or flood rather than moving people to safety.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main emergency number in Greece?

112 is the national and European emergency number, free and operating 24 hours a day. It connects callers to the appropriate Greek emergency service.

Which numbers reach an ambulance, fire service and police directly?

166 is the ambulance service EKAV; 199 is the fire service; 100 is police. For maritime emergencies, the Coast Guard number is 108.

Can I contact 112 in English?

Yes. Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection says operators handle Greek, English and French.

Can I text Greece’s 112 service?

The government lists SMS and MMS to 112, as well as email and an official app route. A functioning voice emergency call is preferable where possible because it generally conveys information faster.

Will I need an app to receive a Greece 112 wildfire warning?

Compatible recent smartphones receive Cell Broadcast warnings automatically. Older devices or alternative contact routes may require registration or configuration.

Should I evacuate every time a 112 warning arrives?

Not automatically. Read the area and the stated action. Some warnings order evacuation while others direct sheltering, road avoidance or other protection.

What if a strong earthquake happens at the beach?

Protect yourself during shaking, then move away from low-lying coastal areas toward safer high ground or inland when natural or official tsunami warning signs indicate danger. Do not return until an official all-clear.

Official sources and more country guides

Safety note: This is general emergency information, not real-time dispatch or a substitute for the instructions of an emergency operator or public authority. Local road closures, wildfires, weather and emergency procedures can change quickly. Verified against official information on 6 November 2026. For immediate danger in Greece, dial 112.