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

Emergency in Portugal right now? Call 112. The free European emergency number connects serious medical emergencies, police, firefighters and urgent rescue. State your town or municipality, address and the immediate danger. If someone is unconscious, seriously injured, threatened, trapped by floodwater or facing fire, call now instead of continuing to read.

This guide covers mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. It is for residents, families, foreign workers and visitors to Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, the Algarve, the islands and smaller communities. Numbers and first-minute instructions come first, followed by medical emergencies, crime, fire, wildfire, storms, floods, earthquakes, coastal safety and practical Portuguese phrases. National government emergency guidance updated 29 April 2026 was reviewed on 5 November 2026.

Quick answer: who to call in Portugal

112 — all immediate emergencies: the national and European emergency number, free and available 24 hours a day. Use for ambulance needs, urgent police protection, fires, serious accidents and life-threatening rescue.
808 24 24 24 — SNS 24 (Saúde 24): public health-service clinical triage, advice and referral for non-life-threatening symptoms. Clinical advice operates 24 hours a day; the cost is that of a fixed-network call, not a free 112 emergency call.
117 — wildfire/fire-reporting contact: listed in the national police electronic-complaint system for fire alerts. 112 is the recommended immediate contact when a wildfire threatens people or property.
144 — Linha Nacional de Emergência Social: national social emergency service for people in severe social risk, such as abandonment or immediate social-exclusion crises; separate from ambulance or police dispatch.
116 000 — missing children: free, 24-hour specialist contact in coordination with the competent authorities. Where a child faces immediate physical danger requiring police, call 112.
116 111 — child-support line: free, 24-hour support for children to discuss problems affecting their safety and well-being.
800 202 148 — domestic-violence information and support: free, confidential national service, 24/7; SMS 3060 is also available. For an ongoing assault or immediate danger to life, call 112.
116 006 — APAV victim support: confidential support for crime victims, family and friends, on weekdays from 08:00 to 23:00; distinct from immediate emergency dispatch.

Official sources: Portugal Government — national emergency contacts, updated April 2026, Ministry of Internal Administration — 112, 117 and 144, CIG domestic-violence support and APAV 116 006.

The first 60 seconds: seven steps that matter

Move away from immediate hazards when safe. Avoid smoke, live electricity, violent threats, unstable walls, dangerous surf, traffic and fast-flowing water. During earthquake shaking, protect your head and neck first.
Call 112. Explain whether you need an ambulance, firefighters, police or rescue. You do not have to decide which agency will be sent.
Give the exact location. State the city or municipality (concelho), parish (freguesia) where helpful, street (rua), building number (número de porta), floor and apartment.
Say what happened briefly. ‘One person is unconscious’, ‘a house is burning’ or ‘people are trapped by rising water’ is a clear beginning.
Count the people affected. Mention breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, those trapped and any person needing assistance to evacuate.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Stay connected as directed and give first aid only as appropriate to your training or the instructions provided.
Keep a safe approach open. Have a helper meet the crews at the correct building, courtyard gate, rural road or signed entrance if this can be done safely.

An English script is: ‘I need an ambulance. One adult is unconscious at [street and house number], [town], floor [number], apartment [number]. Use the entrance beside [landmark]. My number is [telephone].’ In Portuguese: ‘Preciso de uma ambulância. Há uma pessoa inconsciente. A morada é…’

How 112 works in Portugal

The Portuguese emergency number 112 can be used anywhere in the country, including the autonomous regions. For relevant medical situations, emergency calls are assessed and transferred to the emergency medical regulation centre (CODU) associated with INEM, which helps decide the appropriate medical response and gives guidance. Other emergencies can be directed to police, firefighters or the relevant service.

The Ministry of Internal Administration states that 112 is free, national and available at any time for serious illness, accidents, fires and urgent crimes. A call needs clear location information because a phone’s approximate location cannot always identify the right floor, apartment or rural access route. Official description: Portugal’s official emergency-services directory.

Portugal’s central government published a health guidance update shortly before November 2026 clarifying that life-threatening problems should go straight to 112, while SNS 24 is suitable for less serious illness or when a person needs help deciding which care pathway to use. That distinction is especially important for readers who see both numbers on clinic signs and websites.

112 or SNS 24: choose by immediate danger

Someone collapses, has a suspected stroke or cannot breathe normally

Dial 112 for an unconscious person, severe breathing difficulty, major injury, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, suspected heart attack, seizure or other immediate danger to life. Describe symptoms rather than trying to diagnose the condition. The dispatcher may guide CPR, the use of an AED or other safe first aid.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow dispatcher advice and any relevant first-aid training. Ask another safe person to find a defibrillator where available. Do not give food, water or tablets to someone who cannot swallow safely, and avoid moving a seriously injured person unnecessarily unless the present location is itself dangerous.

At a hotel, workplace or public building, name the correct entrance and floor. In a village or rural parish, give the nearest road, church, health centre, bridge or other known landmark. A responder who reaches the correct person quickly is more useful than a long medical story without a usable address.

A medical problem requires advice but is not obviously life-threatening

Call SNS 24 — 808 24 24 24. The public health service provides nurse-led clinical triage, advice and referral around the clock. It may advise home management, a primary-care route or further clinical assessment, and can transfer serious cases to emergency medical services. The health service’s 2026 public guidance directs people with non-life-threatening symptoms to call SNS 24 rather than automatically attending a hospital emergency department.

The distinction is not based on whether the caller feels worried. Sudden serious symptoms or evidence of immediate life threat belong with 112. A non-emergency clinical question that can be assessed safely by a telephone professional usually belongs with SNS 24. Source: Portugal Government — SNS 24 and emergencies and SNS 24 clinical service hours and charges.

Fire and smoke: call 112 first

If there is a spreading fire or dangerous smoke in a residence, hotel, restaurant or warehouse, alert others where safe, leave by a safe route and call 112. Avoid elevators during an active fire and do not go back to collect valuables or luggage. Close doors behind you when safe, and report anyone trapped without re-entering.

If smoke prevents reaching the normal exit, move to a safer area if possible, tell dispatch the building, staircase, floor, apartment and window or balcony position, and follow the firefighters’ instructions. Do not force a route through dense smoke just because a generic sign points toward that corridor.

Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration separately lists 117 for fire alerts, but the national system and wildfire self-protection advice both emphasise 112 for dangerous fire emergencies. When someone may be at immediate risk, 112 is the number to prioritise rather than debating which legacy reporting line applies.

Wildfires: move early and never block firefighters

Portugal experiences rural and forest fires that can become fast-moving under hot, dry and windy conditions. If you see a dangerous wildfire near people or homes, report it immediately on 112 with the municipality, nearest road, landmark and visible danger. Do not drive into smoke or enter a restricted forest to take photographs. Follow the fire service’s advice and local evacuation instructions.

The official Integrated Rural Fire Management System explicitly instructs people near a wildfire to call 112 immediately and to keep access routes open for firefighters. Even a small vegetation fire can spread rapidly with wind or steep terrain. Do not attempt to extinguish an advancing wildfire unless trained, equipped and certain that an escape route remains safe. Source: Portugal’s official rural wildfire self-protection measures.

If officials order evacuation, leave by the approved route without waiting for flames to be visible from your home. Keep essential medication, identification and mobility aids ready in advance. Returning into a smoke-affected area to rescue possessions can place residents and firefighters at further risk.

Summer heat and medically vulnerable people

High temperatures can affect infants, older residents, outdoor workers and people with certain conditions. Encourage safe hydration, cooling and suitable rest. A person with confusion, collapse, severe weakness, seizures or other signs of heatstroke needs urgent medical assessment through 112. Move the person into a cooler safe environment and follow dispatcher guidance on cooling.

Never force water into a person who is unconscious or cannot swallow. In rural communities, check on neighbours who may live alone and struggle to access cooling or water. Use SNS 24 for non-emergency health questions about symptoms and care, but do not delay a call to 112 for severe danger.

Storms, wind, lightning and hazardous coastal weather

Heavy rainfall, strong winds and large waves can affect mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores differently. The national weather service IPMA issues warnings by district and island group with colour-coded levels. A warning in Madeira does not necessarily apply to Lisbon or the Azores. Read the actual geography, hazard and validity period before making travel or evacuation decisions.

During storms, stay away from unstable trees, damaged roofs, exposed ridges, overhead cables and coastal breakwaters. Seek appropriate shelter from lightning. If roads are closed or public authorities advise against travel, do not attempt a scenic detour through a dangerous mountain or coastal route.

IPMA’s official weather-warning directory is IPMA weather warnings. Portugal’s National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection publishes incident-specific public warnings, including heat, wildfires, heavy rain, snow, wind and rough seas.

Flash floods and rising rivers

Intense rain can flood low roads, riverside homes, garages, underground tunnels and bridges. Never drive through flowing water or walk across a road when you cannot see the surface. Fast water can move a car or sweep away a pedestrian even when the crossing seems familiar. Turn back and obey local closures.

If water enters a basement, do not go down to retrieve a car or switch off electricity while standing in water. Move to a safer location and follow local civil-protection and municipal evacuation guidance. Where someone is injured, trapped or at immediate risk, call 112 and give the exact address, floor and number of people.

Flood response depends on geography. A narrow valley in Madeira, a mainland river floodplain and a low coastal road may require different evacuation routes or shelter choices. Use the incident-specific instructions issued by the relevant municipality, civil-protection authorities and the emergency call-taker.

Earthquakes: BAIXAR, PROTEGER, AGUARDAR

Portugal has earthquake hazards, particularly relevant to some southern, western and island areas. During shaking, the national Civil Protection authority teaches three simple actions: BAIXAR, PROTEGER, AGUARDAR — drop, protect yourself and wait/hold until the shaking stops. Protect your head and neck, take appropriate cover and stay away from windows, glass and objects likely to fall.

Do not run down stairs or into streets while the structure is shaking. If you are on a high floor, never use a lift during an earthquake. Once the shaking stops, check for injuries and damage. If the building is unsafe or an evacuation order is given, leave carefully by a safe route and remain away from damaged masonry and aftershock hazards.

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection gives the instructions on its natural hazards guidance. The three words are worth learning because they are designed to be remembered under stress.

Tsunami risk near the Atlantic coast

An earthquake at or near the Atlantic seabed can, in some circumstances, generate a tsunami that threatens exposed coastlines. If you experience strong or prolonged shaking near the coast, protect yourself during the earthquake, then follow local tsunami and evacuation instructions and move to safer high ground or inland when danger is indicated. Do not stay on a beach, harbour or breakwater to photograph the water.

A tsunami may involve multiple waves and currents, with the first not necessarily the strongest. Remain away from threatened coastal areas until the official all-clear. Portugal’s Civil Protection service notes that tsunami effects can persist for hours and reach beaches, ports and nearby commercial and residential areas. Source: Civil Protection tsunami hazard explanation.

Police emergencies and reporting a crime

For a current assault, robbery, serious threat or other incident requiring rapid police intervention, dial 112. Tell the operator where you are and what is happening. Move to safety when possible and do not confront an offender or pursue a suspect to gather video.

Portugal’s police forces include PSP and GNR with different territorial and functional responsibilities. A foreign visitor should not need to determine jurisdiction during a life-threatening event: 112 is the immediate route. For a crime that has already occurred and no longer requires urgent dispatch, use the appropriate police station or official electronic complaint system.

The Ministry of Internal Administration warns that its online police-complaint portal must not be used for crimes that are occurring, have just occurred with urgent risk or involve people in immediate danger. Those incidents require 112. See official police complaint-system contact instructions.

Support for victims of domestic violence

Portugal’s Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) operates 800 202 148, a free, anonymous, confidential service available around the clock for people affected by domestic violence. If speaking is difficult or unsafe, the official SMS 3060 provides an additional support channel. These services give information about rights, protection, legal and psychosocial support and the national assistance network.

When violence is happening and immediate police or medical intervention is needed, call 112 first if it is safe to do so. A support hotline helps with protection and referrals but is not the same as dispatching police to a current attack. Source: CIG — support for domestic violence victims, updated January 2026.

The Portuguese victim-support organisation APAV also operates the free 116 006 Victim Support Line on working days from 08:00 to 23:00. It provides confidential help for victims, family and friends. For emergency injuries or current violence, use 112. See APAV victim support.

Children, missing persons and social emergencies

The national emergency contacts directory lists 116 000 for missing-children support and 116 111 for children needing to talk about problems affecting them, both free and available around the clock. Where a child is in immediate danger from violence, abduction or serious injury, contact 112 directly and provide the child’s location, description and current risk.

144 is Portugal’s national social emergency line for serious social-risk circumstances, including abandoned children or older people and certain urgent exclusion or shelter needs. It operates nationally and continuously. It is not a fire brigade or ambulance number. The official police complaint system explains its role at national emergency and social emergency services.

Coastal, hiking and road rescue

Portugal has popular beaches, cliffs and mountain routes where an injured or missing person may be difficult to locate. For immediate emergency assistance, call 112 and give the beach, lighthouse, harbour, hiking route, nearest trail marker, road access point or verified coordinates. Do not enter rough surf or an unstable cliff to attempt an untrained rescue.

For a motorway incident, identify the road number (A-number), direction, nearest exit, toll plaza or kilometre marker. If a vehicle is a hazard, move to a safe position away from traffic and report injuries or fire. Do not walk into moving lanes to take photographs or locate a road sign. A precise road description makes it easier for ambulance, fire and police services to find you.

How to give your location in Portugal

Town and municipality: identify the localidade and concelho; add distrito or island group when useful.
Parish: give the freguesia if it helps locate a rural road, village or property.
Road: rua, avenida, travessa or estrada and house/building number.
Building: floor (andar), apartment or door (porta), staircase and gate.
Motorway: A-road, direction, nearest exit, service area or kilometre marker.
Beach or mountain: beach, harbour, hiking path, marked access point and accurate GPS if available.
Callback: a reachable telephone number and any road or building entrance restrictions.

Helpful Portuguese emergency phrases

‘Socorro!’ — Help!
‘Preciso de uma ambulância.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Há um incêndio.’ — There is a fire.
‘Preciso da polícia.’ — I need the police.
‘Há uma pessoa inconsciente.’ — There is an unconscious person.
‘Não está a respirar normalmente.’ — They are not breathing normally.
‘A morada é…’ — The address is…
‘Não falo bem português.’ — I do not speak Portuguese well.
‘Fala inglês?’ — Do you speak English?

Language support may differ by call centre. Use short phrases and the actual street address; involve a safe local helper to communicate if one is available. Do not delay an urgent 112 call until a translator has been found.

A practical emergency plan for Portugal

Save 112 with the label ‘Police, Fire, Ambulance, Rescue’. Keep SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24 clearly marked ‘non-emergency health advice’.
Write your complete address with concelho, freguesia, rua, number, floor and entrance.
Identify the building fire escape, a safe meeting point and a route away from any local flood or wildfire danger.
Monitor official ANEPC civil-protection warnings and IPMA district or island alerts.
Keep necessary medicine, identification, water, flashlight and a charged phone or power bank accessible.
Discuss who helps children, older adults, visitors or those using mobility or medical equipment.
Know the emergency plan for any rural property, especially roads needed by firefighting vehicles.
Agree a family contact and a way to confirm everyone is safe after an evacuation or outage.

Common mistakes that delay safety

Calling SNS 24 instead of 112 when a person is unconscious or not breathing normally.
Using 144 social-emergency assistance as though it sends an ambulance or police.
Using the online police complaint portal for a violent attack happening now.
Calling 117 to debate fire conditions while people are already threatened, instead of calling 112.
Entering a flooded basement or driving across a water-covered road to protect possessions.
Standing near dangerous wildfire smoke or blocking emergency vehicle access.
Rushing to stairs or lifts during strong earthquake shaking rather than first protecting your head and neck.
Giving only ‘Lisbon’, ‘Porto’ or ‘Madeira’ without the street, municipality, island location or access point.

Frequently asked questions

Is 112 the emergency number in mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores?

Yes. Portugal’s government identifies 112 as the free national and European emergency number, available everywhere in the country for urgent assistance.

Should I call 112 or SNS 24 for medical problems?

Call 112 for a life-threatening emergency or severe symptoms. Use SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24 for clinical triage and advice about non-life-threatening health concerns.

What is Portugal’s wildfire emergency number?

The official police emergency directory lists 117 for fire alerts, but Portugal’s rural-fire self-protection guidance tells people near a dangerous wildfire to call 112 immediately.

Is 144 an ambulance number?

No. 144 is the national social emergency service. Ambulance and other urgent on-scene emergency requests go through 112.

What if I cannot speak safely about domestic violence?

CIG offers free and confidential support by phone on 800 202 148 and SMS on 3060. For immediate danger needing emergency responders, use 112 through a safe available method.

What does BAIXAR, PROTEGER, AGUARDAR mean?

It is Portugal’s earthquake protective action: drop, protect yourself and wait or hold until shaking has passed. Avoid rushing to the stairs while the building is shaking.

Official Portuguese sources and related country guides

Safety and editorial notice: This article supplies general public information rather than live dispatch or personal medical care. Portuguese government contacts were reviewed on 5 November 2026, and local warnings, service arrangements and access routes may change. In an immediate emergency in Portugal, dial 112 now.