Emergency numbers in Portugal
112, INEM, Civil Protection, SNS 24 Health Line and more. Save these numbers on your phone and print this page to keep it handy.
Emergency numbers
European Emergency Number
Fire services, INEM (National Institute for Medical Emergency), PSP (Public Security Police), GNR (National Republican Guard). Available 24/7. Use ONLY for real emergencies.
SNS 24: Health Line
Health advice line. Medical triage by phone. Available 24/7.
IPMA: Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere
Weather information and warnings. ipma.pt
Civil Protection: ANEPC
ANEPC (National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection), headquarters. prociv.gov.pt
800 246 246: free hotline activated during large-scale emergencies.
Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (Portuguese Red Cross)
Humanitarian support, emergency assistance. Available 24/7.
E-REDES (power outages)
Electrical faults, power cuts. Free 24/7 line. e-redes.pt
GNR: National Republican Guard
Security in rural areas and roads. Emergencies: call 112.
PSP: Public Security Police
Security in urban areas. Emergencies: call 112.
Water supply
There is no national number. Contact your local water company: EPAL Lisbon (213 251 000), Aguas do Porto (225 190 800), or search for the provider in your area.
Social Emergency Line
Support for the homeless, elderly, and vulnerable people. Available 24/7.
SOS Environment (GNR/SEPNA)
Environmental reports, pollution, chemical spills. Available 24/7.
How to call 112
When calling 112, stay calm and provide information in this order:
- Who you are: state your name
- Where you are: exact address, landmark, GPS coordinates if possible
- What happened: describe the situation clearly and briefly
- How many people: number of victims or affected persons
- Condition of victims: whether they are conscious, breathing, bleeding
Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. Follow all instructions given to you. If possible, keep the line free after the call, as they may call back.
Radio frequencies
FM Radio: official information
If internet and mobile networks fail, tune into Antena 1 (RTP) for official Government and Civil Protection updates:
- Lisbon: 95.7 FM
- Porto: 96.7 FM
- Coimbra: 94.9 FM
- Faro: 97.6 FM
- Evora: 88.4 FM
- Braganca: 96.4 FM
PMR446 and CB radios: direct communication
If mobile phones are not working, use walkie-talkie or CB radios:
- PMR446 Channel 1: 446.00625 MHz (walkie-talkie radios, range 2-10km)
- CB Channel 9: 27.065 MHz (Citizen Band, international emergency channel, range 5-30km)
These channels are monitored by emergency groups and amateur radio operators during disaster situations.
Communication without network
When mobile phones and internet fail, there are alternatives to stay in touch with your family. PMR446, CB Radio, amateur radio and offline digital solutions.
Useful apps
IPMA
Official weather
Real-time weather warnings, forecasts, precipitation radar, storm alerts. Essential for tracking the development of storms.
Available: iOS, Android, Free
Civil Protection
Alerts and guidance
Emergency warnings by area, official instructions, contacts, evacuation plans. Automatic push notifications.
Available: iOS, Android, Free
MySOS
Medical emergencies
Quick 112 call, GPS location sharing, personal medical information (allergies, medication), first aid instructions.
Available: iOS, Android, Free
Google Maps: offline maps
Navigation without internet
How to download: Open Google Maps → Menu (3 lines) → "Offline maps" → "Select your own map" → Choose area → Download. Renew every 30 days.
Essential if you need to evacuate without internet or mobile data.
Useful links
ipma.pt
IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere)
Weather warnings, detailed forecasts, radar, storm analysis. Check BEFORE and DURING extreme weather events.
prociv.gov.pt
National Civil Protection
Official alerts, safety instructions, emergency plans, post-disaster support, municipal contacts.
e-redes.pt
E-REDES (EDP Distribution)
Real-time electricity outage map. Report faults, check restoration estimates. E-REDES app available.
epal.pt / aguasdoporto.pt
EPAL Lisbon / Aguas do Porto
Water quality, interruption notices, analyses. Check AFTER a storm before drinking tap water. Search for your local provider.
inem.pt
INEM (National Institute for Medical Emergency)
First aid information, when to call 112, emergency medical advice.
apsei.org.pt
APSEI (Portuguese Safety Association)
Safety guides, fire prevention, evacuation, first aid training.
Print this page
Keep a printed copy of this page near the fridge, fuse box, or in your emergency bag.
In critical situations, you may not have access to internet or a phone. Having the numbers on paper can save lives.
Tip: Laminate the sheet or place it in a zip-lock bag to protect it from moisture.
Share your location with family
Set up location sharing BEFORE an emergency:
- Google Maps: Menu → "Location sharing" → Add family members
- Apple (iPhone): "Find My" → Share My Location
- WhatsApp: Chat → Attach → Location → "Live location"
In an emergency, this helps rescue teams and lets family know you are safe.