A Quick Guide to 112: The Emergency
Telephone Number in Spain
By David Ruiz
112 is a free emergency telephone number in Spain which
offers a 24/7 emergency service to any person located within
the country of Spain, regardless of their nationality and legal
status. It is the number you use in Spain for ANY emergency. The list below shows what kind of
emergencies are covered by this number, but please note that the list is not definitive . . .
Car accidents
Fire
Health assistance
Physical aggressions
Theft
Rescue
Natural disasters
Life risking situations/scenarios
When you dial 112 the operator will decide which of the emergency professional services are
required. It may be the Spanish National Police, the Local Police, Guardia Civil, Firefighters,
Ambulance/Paramedics, or even Civil Protection.
How does the system work? It’s easy. Just dial 112 for any emergency. Do not hesitate as that
delay could mean the difference between life and death in some situations. It does not matter that
your native language is not Spanish because the operators also speak English.
Although 112 is a national s