Emergency Numbers and Useful Contacts in Portugal (Algarve Guide)
Whether you're relocating to the Algarve, buying a holiday home or simply spending more time in Portugal, it's worth saving a few important numbers in your phone before you need them.Thankfully, Portugal has an excellent emergency response system and most services are available 24 hours a day. Knowing who to call can save valuable time and provide peace of mind if something unexpected happens. Here's our guide to the most useful emergency contacts for life in the Algarve.
112 – Emergency Services
If you need urgent assistance for a medical emergency, serious accident, fire or crime in progress, call 112.
This is Portugal's national emergency number and is the same European emergency number used across the EU. Calls are free from any phone and operators can usually assist in English if required.Examples of when to call 112 include:
Medical emergencies
Serious road traffic accidents
House fires or wildfires
Crimes in progress
Situations where someone's life is at immediate risk
SNS 24 – Health Advice
Not every health concern requires an ambulance or a visit to A&E.Portugal's SNS 24 service provides medical advice, clinical assessment and guidance on the most appropriate healthcare service for your situation.
Telephone: 808 24 24 24
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The service can help with:
Feeling unwell
Minor injuries
Medical advice
Whether you should visit a health centre or hospital
Out of hours healthcare guidance
If your condition is life threatening, always call 112 instead.
Pharmacies (Farmácias)
One of the things many newcomers appreciate is Portugal's excellent pharmacy network. Most towns have several pharmacies, and an on duty pharmacy is always available outside normal opening hours.Look for signs displaying: Farmácia de Serviço
This tells you which pharmacy is open overnight, on weekends or on public holidays.
Police
Portugal has two main police forces that you'll come across in the Algarve.
GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana)
The GNR covers most rural areas, villages and smaller towns across the Algarve.
PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública)
The PSP generally covers larger towns and cities such as Faro, Portimão and Albufeira.If you're unsure which service you need, simply call 112, and you'll be directed to the appropriate emergency service.
Wildfire Information
During the hotter months, particularly between June and September, it's sensible to stay informed about wildfire activity.One app we highly recommend downloading is Fogos.pt.
The app provides live information on:
Active wildfires
Civil protection incidents
Fire locations
Emergency resources attending incidents
Notifications for your chosen area
Even if you're only visiting the Algarve, it's a useful app to have on your phone during the summer months.
Hospitals in the Algarve
The Algarve is served by several public hospitals, alongside a number of excellent private hospitals and clinics.The main public hospitals include:
Hospital de Faro
Hospital de Portimão
Hospital de Lagos
Many overseas residents also choose to use private healthcare providers for routine appointments and diagnostics, depending on their insurance cover.
Coastguard and Beach Safety
The Algarve's coastline is one of its biggest attractions, but it's important to respect the sea.Always swim on beaches with lifeguards during the bathing season and pay attention to the coloured beach flags.If you witness someone in difficulty at sea, call 112 immediately.
Roadside Assistance
If you're hiring a car, keep the rental company's emergency number saved in your phone before setting off.If you're driving your own vehicle, it's also worth checking whether your insurance includes roadside assistance in Portugal.
British Embassy
For British nationals living in or visiting Portugal, the British Embassy can help with issues such as:
Lost or stolen passports
Emergency travel documents
Assistance during serious emergencies
Guidance if you're arrested or involved in a serious incident
It's worth keeping their contact details handy, although they cannot provide emergency medical assistance or legal representation.
Other Useful Apps
Alongside Fogos.pt, we also recommend downloading:
SNS 24 – Access healthcare information and services from Portugal's National Health Service.
Waze – Particularly useful in the Algarve during the summer months, helping you avoid traffic and road closures.
Google Translate – Helpful when visiting smaller local businesses where English may be less commonly spoken.
UBER - Usedthroughout Portugal and can assist avoiding any language barriers and a cheap form of transport.
Save These Numbers Before You Need Them
Hopefully you'll never need to use any of these services, but having them saved in your phone can make all the difference in an emergency.
Need More Help Settling into Life in Portugal?
Our Resource Centre is designed to make your move to the Algarve as straightforward as possible. Alongside this guide, you'll also find practical articles covering everything from obtaining your Portuguese NIF and opening a bank account to registering with the Portuguese healthcare system and exchanging your driving licence.If you're planning to buy a property in the Algarve and have questions about the buying process or settling into life in Portugal, we'd be delighted to help.
Our role doesn't stop once you've found the right property – we're here to support you every step of the way.