Emergency Numbers in Spain: 112, 061 and Beyond

Knowing who to call before you need them is the single most useful thing you can do at the start of a trip. Here's the complete list of Spanish emergency numbers with what each one is for.

The one number you need to remember: 112

112 is the unified emergency number for the entire European Union, including Spain. It works for:

• Medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, severe injury, breathing difficulty)
• Fire (forest fires are common in summer, especially in southern Spain and the islands)
• Police incidents (assault, theft, missing persons)
• Sea or mountain rescue
• Major accidents (road, rail, building collapse)

Free from any phone, anywhere in Spain, with or without a SIM card or credit. Even a phone with no service can dial 112 in most cases (there's a special protocol for it).

The 112 operator triages the call and forwards you to the right service: medical (SUMMA, SAMUR, 061), police (112 dispatchers route you to Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil, or local police), or fire (Bomberos).

Languages on 112

Every regional 112 centre handles Spanish + English. Coastal regions and the islands also handle French, German and Italian as standard. The regional language where applicable (Catalan in Catalonia/Balearic Islands, Galician in Galicia, Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian) is also available.

If your Spanish is limited, just say "English, please" at the start of the call. The operator will switch immediately or connect you to a translator.

Specialised numbers (if you need them)

When in doubt: call 112. They handle everything and they're free.

What to say when you call

The operator needs answers, fast. Have these ready:

1. Where are you? Exact address if possible. If you don't know, your phone's GPS coordinates work — most modern phones display them in the dialer when calling 112. Hotel name + town + region also works in tourist areas.
2. What happened? "Medical emergency", "car accident", "fire in a kitchen", "person collapsed in the street".
3. How many people? And who's injured and how badly.
4. Are you in danger right now? Is someone unconscious, bleeding heavily, having trouble breathing.
5. Your name and a callback number (so they can reach you if the call drops).

Stay on the line. Don't hang up until the operator says "you can hang up now." They may need to give you instructions while help is on the way (CPR steps, how to control bleeding, what to do if someone's choking).

Emergency basics: what every traveller should know

CPR (chest compressions)

If someone collapses and isn't breathing, chest compressions buy time. Push hard and fast on the centre of the chest, ~100–120 compressions per minute, ~5 cm deep, until help arrives. The 112 operator will guide you. Don't worry about doing it perfectly — anything is better than nothing.

Severe bleeding

Direct pressure with whatever cloth you have on hand. Don't lift the cloth to check; just keep pressing. Elevate the limb if possible.

Choking

The Heimlich manoeuvre (back blows + abdominal thrusts) is the standard. If you can't remember, the 112 operator will talk you through it.

Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

If someone has a severe allergic reaction (lips/tongue swelling, breathing difficulty, full-body hives, dropping consciousness), call 112 immediately. If they have an EpiPen / Auvi-Q, use it: thigh, through clothing if needed, hold for 3 seconds.

Save the numbers in your phone before you travel

Add to your contacts now:

• Emergencies SP: 112
• Spain Poison: 91 562 04 20
• Your travel insurance emergency line (look at your policy — every insurer has a 24/7 international assistance number)
• The embassy / consulate of your country in Spain (or in the city you're visiting)
• Your hotel front desk number if you're not at the hotel when the emergency happens

Beyond the call: medical home visits as alternative

For situations that aren't true 112 emergencies but where you still need medical attention quickly — a child with high fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, an infected cut, a urinary tract infection, severe sunburn — a home-visit doctor reaches you faster than a public ER triage queue and is fully covered by most travel insurance policies. Use 112 for emergencies; use a home-visit doctor for "this is unpleasant but not life-threatening."

A note on stress

When something serious happens, panic narrows everyone's thinking. The 112 operator is trained to be calm and direct. Trust them. Answer their questions, follow their instructions, and stay on the line. Help is coming.