Primary Emergency Number – 112
What is 112?
112 is the single European emergency telephone number available throughout the European Union and in Portugal. This number serves as the primary contact point for all emergency situations requiring immediate assistance from medical services, fire brigade, police, or other emergency responders. Call 112 immediately for medical emergencies requiring urgent care, fire emergencies, police assistance in urgent situations, or any other life-threatening emergency situation.
What to Expect When Calling 112
When you call 112, your call connects to the national emergency centre operated by the PSP (Polícia Segurança Pública). For health-related emergencies, calls are automatically transferred to the Center’s Guidance Emergency Patients (CODU) unit under INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica). Emergency responses are handled by the unit closest to your location, regardless of which entity it belongs to.
Language and Communication Tips
While English is understood on the 112 line, it’s crucial to speak clearly and remain calm, provide your name and exact location, clearly describe the nature of the emergency, and follow the emergency operator’s advice throughout the call.
Avoiding Non-Emergency Calls
Use 112 only for genuine emergencies. Non-emergency calls can delay response times for those requiring urgent assistance and may prevent life-saving interventions from reaching people in critical need.
Emergency Response Capabilities in Portugal
Portugal is well-equipped to handle various emergencies, with some of the best-trained and equipped response services in Europe. The country has maintained this high standard since establishing its integrated emergency systems and continues to invest in modern equipment and training for emergency responders.
Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM)
Overview of SIEM
Since 1981, Portugal has operated an Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM) designed to provide coordinated assistance to victims of accidents or sudden illnesses. This comprehensive system ensures that emergency medical care is delivered efficiently and effectively across the country.
Key Agencies Involved
SIEM includes cooperation between PSP (Polícia Segurança Pública), GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana), INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica), fire departments, Portuguese Red Cross, hospitals, and health centres. This multi-agency approach ensures comprehensive coverage and resource sharing during emergency situations.
INEM’s Role in Emergency Coordination
INEM, as an agency of the Ministry of Health, coordinates emergency medical operations throughout mainland Portugal, ensuring efficient deployment of resources and personnel. The organization maintains high standards of training and equipment to provide optimal emergency medical care.
Health Support Services
Health Line 24 (Saúde 24)
The Health Line 24 can be reached at 808 24 24 24 and provides round-the-clock health support services. This comprehensive service offers health consultation and advice, prioritization of medical concerns, and referral services for illness, with calls costing the equivalent of a landline call.
Administrative and Online Support
The Health Line 24 offers administrative support from 8 AM to 10 PM daily and maintains an online chat facility available 24 hours per day. This service provides comprehensive health guidance and information to help citizens make informed decisions about their healthcare needs.
Social Emergency Line
National Social Emergency Line (LNES) – 144
The National Social Emergency Line operates at 144 and provides a free, 24/7 public telephone service. This essential service offers immediate response to urgent social protection situations and ensures accessibility to social referral and follow-up services for those in need.
Who Can Use This Line?
All citizens within Portuguese territory who find themselves in situations of vulnerability and need social support can access this service. This includes tourists and temporary residents who may find themselves in emergency social situations while in Portugal.
Types of Social Emergencies Covered
This line addresses situations involving domestic violence victims, children and young people in danger, people lacking autonomy or independence, and homeless individuals. The service also handles situations where minimum survival conditions are not met and circumstances creating real, current, or imminent danger to physical and psychological integrity.
Other Important Helplines and Contacts
Poisons and Toxic Exposure
For urgent poison advice, contact 808 250 142, while the Poison Line (INEM CIAV) at 808 250 143 operates 24 hours daily. These services provide comprehensive information on diagnosis, toxicity, treatment, and prognosis of toxic substance exposure, offering critical support during poisoning emergencies.
Children & Youth
The Child Helpline operates at 800 206 656 from Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 17:30, and receives complaints about children and youth at risk or in danger. For round-the-clock support, the SOS Child Line at 116 111 provides free 24-hour daily service, offering support for children to discuss their problems while promoting children’s rights and addressing crimes against children.
The SOS Missing Child service at 116 000 operates 24 hours daily free of charge, specifically handling missing children cases and linking with investigation and judicial bodies. For child abuse situations, the Child Abuse Hotline (SOS Criança) at 800 202 651 provides dedicated support and intervention services.
Crime Victims & Domestic Violence
The APAV Support Line at 707 200 077 operates Monday through Friday from 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30, representing the Portuguese Victim Support Association. This service provides comprehensive support for crime victims and offers free legal advice and support to help individuals navigate the aftermath of criminal incidents.
For domestic abuse situations, several resources are available including the 24/7 Domestic Abuse Hotline SOS Mulher at 800 202 148, which operates anonymously and free of charge. The Commission for Equality & Women’s Rights can be reached at 800 202 148 or 239 832 073, while the National Social Emergency Line at 144 also handles domestic violence situations.
Domestic abuse in Portugal includes any behavior inflicting physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial, or verbal suffering, as well as social isolation. It’s classified as a public crime and can be reported without the victim’s consent. For emergency domestic violence assistance requiring immediate intervention, call 112.
Drug Abuse and Addiction Support
Linha VIDA – SOS Drogos operates at 1414 from Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 20:00, providing information, counseling, support, and referral services for those struggling with substance abuse. Narcotics Anonymous can be reached at 800 202 013, representing an association of recovering addicts with regular meetings and peer support programs.
Famílias Anónimas offers support through 916 718 947 or 962 688 811 for people affected by psychoactive substances or related behaviors, providing crucial assistance to family members and loved ones of those struggling with addiction.
Health, Mental Health & Depression Support
Cancer support services include the Cancer Help Line at 213 619 542, which provides medical, psychological, and social advice, while Contra O Cancro at 808 255 255 offers information and support specifically for cancer patients and their families.
The HIV/AIDS Hotline operates at 800 20 10 40 from 17:30 to 21:30, providing telephone counseling by trained technicians who specialize in HIV/AIDS support and information.
Mental health and loneliness support includes Associação Conversa Amiga at 808 237 327, which supports people experiencing loneliness and social exclusion. SOS Voz Amiga provides crisis support through 21 354 45 45, 91 280 26 69, or 96 352 46 60 from 16:00 to 24:00, specifically addressing loneliness, anxiety, depression, and high-risk situations.
Telefone da Amizade at 228 323 535 operates daily from 16:00 to 23:00, offering support for desperate or lonely individuals, while Linha do Cidadão com Deficiência at 800 208 462 operates from 09:30 to 17:30, providing help specifically for citizens with disabilities.
Student support services are available through 808 200 204 or 969 554 545, operating Monday to Friday from 20:00 to 01:00. These services provide emotional support for students dealing with suicide, stress, loneliness, and sexuality issues.
Pregnancy & Sexual Health Support
Sexual and reproductive health support includes Saude Sexual e Reprodutiva for sexuality issues at 808 222 003 and unwanted pregnancy support at 707 200 249. The Health Portal Pregnancy Hotline can be reached at 213 862 020 or 808 20 11 39. These services comprehensively address sex education, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, homosexuality, pregnancy termination, and family planning.
Senior Citizens Support
Senior citizens can access dedicated support at 800 20 35 31 from 09:30 to 17:30. This online senior citizens support service provides information about rights and benefits in health, social security, and housing, helping elderly residents navigate available services and entitlements.
Animal Welfare and Emergencies
Animal welfare services include Associação Animal at 962 358 183 and Sociedade Protetora dos Animais at 213 423 851. For injured animals, Linha Verde SOS Ambiente operates at 808 200 520, while the Protection Service of Nature and Environment (GNR) can be reached at 217 503 080 for more serious animal protection issues.
Maritime Emergencies
Maritime emergencies are handled by the Maritime Police at 210 911 100, which manages coastal patrol and sea emergencies. Sea Rescue services can be accessed through 112 or 214 401 919, representing the Maritime Search and Rescue Service that coordinates water-based emergency responses.
Alcohol Dependency Support
Alcohol dependency support includes Alcoholics Anonymous at 217 162 969 and the Anti-Alcoholic Portuguese Society at 213 571 483. These organizations provide peer support, counseling, and recovery programs for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
Police and Security Services
Calling the Police in Emergencies
For police emergencies, always call 112. This ensures immediate connection to the appropriate emergency response system and guarantees the fastest possible response time for urgent situations requiring police intervention.
Types of Police in Portugal
Portugal operates three main police organizations with distinct responsibilities. The Polícia Judiciária (Judicial Police) handles high-level criminal investigations and serious crimes. The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) serves as the National Gendarmerie, typically covering rural areas and specialized operations. The PSP (Polícia Segurança Pública) functions as the Public Security Police, primarily serving urban areas and handling general policing duties.
Non-Emergency Contact Methods
For non-emergency contacts with GNR and PSP, citizens should check their respective websites for local contact information and office hours. This allows for routine inquiries, administrative matters, and non-urgent police business to be handled through appropriate channels without overwhelming emergency services.
Fire Brigade Services
How to Reach the Fire Brigade
In case of fire emergencies, call 112. This will connect you to the appropriate fire response services in your area and ensure rapid deployment of firefighting resources. The integrated emergency system ensures that fire services are coordinated with other emergency responders when necessary.
Embassies and Consular Assistance in Emergencies
Contacting Embassies After Hours
During major disasters or incidents affecting multiple people, you may need to contact your embassy or consular team outside office hours. Even when embassies are closed, emergency contact numbers are typically available for citizens requiring urgent consular assistance during crises.
Where to Find Embassy Emergency Numbers
Most embassies provide emergency contact numbers on their websites and in registration materials for their citizens. These numbers should be kept readily accessible, especially during travel or extended stays, and should be shared with family members who might need to contact embassies on your behalf during emergencies.
Additional Safety Resources
Emergency Information Poster by Safe Communities Portugal
Safe Communities Portugal has created a downloadable emergency information and contact poster designed for home use. This comprehensive resource should be placed in a conspicuous location in your home to help with emergency response and ensure that critical contact numbers are immediately available when needed.
Information for Visitors, Guests, and Property Renters
Property owners and hosts should ensure that family members, friends staying as guests, or property renters are fully aware of emergency procedures and contact numbers. This includes providing key emergency numbers, basic emergency response information, and ensuring that temporary residents understand how to access emergency services in Portugal.
Useful Safety Topics Covered in Resources
Additional safety resources available in Portugal comprehensively address crime reporting procedures, community and personal safety measures, property protection strategies, child safety measures, cybercrime prevention, civil protection information, weather safety protocols, rural fire prevention, and animal protection guidelines.
Important Note: While 112 operators understand English, not all specialized helplines listed may have English-speaking staff available. When calling specialized support lines, callers should be prepared that Portuguese may be the primary language of service, though many services make efforts to accommodate non-Portuguese speakers when possible.
Emergency Reminder: Keep this information easily accessible and ensure all household members and guests know how to access emergency services. In any life-threatening situation, call 112 immediately without hesitation, as rapid response can be critical for saving lives and preventing further harm.