We all expect and hope our trips abroad go off without a hitch. And usually, they do. But it’s important to be prepared in case an emergency does arise during your international travels. If you get sick, or your car breaks down, or you’re the victim of a crime, you’ll need to know the 911-equivalent phone number and how to ask for help in the local language. Here’s a guide to emergency numbers and useful phrases to know in some of the most popular travel destinations.
Spain
Emergency Numbers:
European Emergency Number (all emergencies): 112
Medical Emergency: 061
Police Emergency: 091 (national), 092 (local)
Fire Emergency: 080
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — ¿Me puede ayudar?
the police — la policía
the ambulance — la ambulancia
the firefighters — los bomberos
It’s an emergency! ¡Es una urgencia!
France
Emergency Numbers:
European Emergency Number (all emergencies): 112
Medical Emergency: 15
Police Emergency: 17
Fire Emergency: 18
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — Pourriez-vous m’aider ?
the police — la police
the ambulance — l’ambulance
the firefighters — les pompiers
It’s an emergency! — C’est une urgence !
Italy
Emergency Numbers:
European Emergency Number (all emergencies): 112
Medical Emergency: 118
Police Emergency: 113
Fire Emergency: 115
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — Mi può aiutare?
the police — la polizia
the ambulance — l’ambulanza
the firefighters — vigili del fuoco
It’s an emergency! — È un d’emergenza!
Mexico
Emergency Numbers:
All Emergencies: 911
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — ¿Me puede ayudar?
the police — la policía
the ambulance — la ambulancia
the firefighters — Los bomberos
It’s an emergency! — ¡Es una urgencia!
United Kingdom
Emergency Numbers:
European Emergency Number (all emergencies): 112
National Emergency Number (all emergencies): 999
Peru
Emergency Numbers:
All Emergencies: 911
Medical Emergency: 117
Police Emergency: 105
Fire Emergency: 116
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — ¿Me puede ayudar?
the police — la policía
the ambulance — la ambulancia
the firefighters — Los bomberos
It’s an emergency! — ¡Es una urgencia!
Norway
Emergency Numbers:
Medical Emergency: 113
Police Emergency: 112
Fire Emergency: 110
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? Kan du hjelpe meg?
the police — politiet
the ambulance — ambulanse
the firefighters — brannmenn
It’s an emergency! — Det er et nødstilfelle!
Brazil
Emergency Numbers:
Medical or Fire Emergency: 193
Police Emergency: 190
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — Você pode me ajudar?
the police — a polícia
the ambulance — a ambulância
the firefighters — os bombeiros
It’s an emergency! — É uma emergência!
The Netherlands
Emergency Numbers:
All Emergencies: 112
Helpful Phrases:
Can you help me? — Kunt u mij helpen?
the police — de politie
the ambulance — de ziekenauto
the firefighters — brandweerlieden
It’s an emergency! — Het is een noodgeval!