Emergency Numbers Portugal

Memorise One Number First: 112

Portugal uses the single European emergency number 112 for all life‑threatening situations: serious accidents, fires, crimes in progress, medical emergencies and any situation where you need police, ambulance or fire brigade urgently. You can call 112 free of charge from any landline or mobile phone, even without credit, 24 hours a day.

This quick 2026 guide lists the essential emergency and helpline numbers in Portugal: 112, the national health line SNS 24, the poison information centre, sea rescue, missing child and crisis lines. Save or print this page so you and your family know who to call in an emergency, whether you are visiting or living in Portugal. 🌶️

🌶️ Table of Contents

• 1. Main Emergency Number (All Services)
• 2. Health & Medical Advice Lines
• 3. Specialised Emergency & Helpline Numbers
• 4. How to Call & What to Say
• 5. Use Pickeenoo to Prepare Before You Need Help

1. Main Emergency Number (All Services)

In Portugal, there is one primary emergency number for urgent situations requiring immediate help.

• General emergency (police, ambulance, fire): 112

Call 112 for:

• Serious accidents, injuries or sudden life‑threatening illness.
• Fires, explosions or smoke emergencies.
• Crimes in progress, violence or any situation where you feel in immediate danger.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Forget 911 or 999 in Portugal – 112 is the only number you need to remember for any life‑threatening emergency.

2. Health & Medical Advice Lines

Not every health issue is a 112 emergency. Portugal has national health helplines that can advise you, triage your symptoms and tell you whether to go to a clinic, emergency room or stay at home.

Non‑Emergency Health Advice

• SNS 24 – Health Line 24: 808 24 24 24

SNS 24 is Portugal’s national health hotline for non‑life‑threatening problems, available 24/7. Nurses and health professionals assess your symptoms, give advice and direct you to the right level of care (self‑care, local health centre, urgent care or hospital).

🌶️ Spicy Tip: For fevers, minor injuries, infections or when you are unsure if it is serious, call SNS 24 first. Use 112 only for clear life‑threatening emergencies like chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe bleeding or suspected stroke.

3. Specialised Emergency & Helpline Numbers

Beyond 112 and SNS 24, several dedicated numbers handle specific types of emergencies and sensitive situations. These are useful to add to your phone, especially if you have children.

Poison & Toxicology Emergencies

• Poison Information Centre (CIAV): 800 250 250

Call this number if someone has ingested medication incorrectly, swallowed household chemicals or been exposed to a toxic substance. Doctors specialised in toxicology advise you on what to do and whether you need to go to the hospital.

Sea & Coastal Rescue

• Sea rescue (Portuguese maritime authorities): 214 401 919

Use this number for emergencies at sea or serious incidents on the coast, such as swimmers or boats in distress. For immediate life‑threatening situations, you can still call 112 and they will coordinate with sea‑rescue services.

Missing Children & Vulnerable Situations

• Missing Child Line: 116 000

This EU‑wide number is dedicated to reporting missing children or getting help in child‑related emergencies.

Emotional Crisis & Suicide Prevention (Examples)

• Crisis/suicide prevention helplines: several national and local services operate listening and support lines (for example SOS Voz Amiga and similar charities).

If you or someone you know is in acute psychological distress but not in immediate physical danger, these lines offer emotional support and can point you to local mental‑health resources. If there is a direct risk to life, call 112.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Save at least three non‑emergency numbers in your phone – SNS 24, poison hotline and a crisis helpline – so you can react quickly without searching online under stress.

4. How to Call & What to Say

In an emergency, staying calm and giving clear information helps responders reach you faster. Operators often speak English, especially on 112 and national lines, so do not hesitate to call if your Portuguese is limited.

What to Prepare Before You Call

• Your exact location: address, nearby landmarks, kilometre marker or GPS if you’re on a road or trail.
• The nature of the emergency: accident, fire, medical problem, crime, poisoning, missing person or other.
• Number of people involved and their condition (conscious/unconscious, breathing, bleeding, trapped, etc.).

If you are not sure whether to dial 112 or a helpline, ask yourself one question: “Is there an immediate threat to life or safety?” If yes, call 112. If no, use SNS 24, the poison centre or other specialised helplines.

5. Use Pickeenoo to Prepare Before You Need Help

In an Emergency, Seconds Matter – Preparation Happens Now 🌶️
Use Pickeenoo to find local medical services, first‑aid kits, home safety gear, child‑proofing equipment and community contacts in your area of Portugal, so when something goes wrong you already know who to call and where to go.
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📊 Article Information

Article Length: ~1,100 words (≈ 4 minutes reading time).

Last Updated: January 2026 | Category: Travel & Expat Life – Safety & Practical Guides Portugal