Spanish for Emergencies

Police, fire, medical emergencies. Critical phrases and grammar for urgent situations.

Emergency numbers

Key numbers to know

112 — European emergency number (works in Spain and EU)
091 — Policía Nacional (Spain)
092 — Policía Local (Spain)
061 — Medical emergencies (Spain)
911 — Emergency number (Mexico, most of Latin America)

Calling for help

Critical first phrases

¡Socorro! / ¡Ayuda! (Help!)
¡Llame a la policía / una ambulancia / los bomberos! (Call the police / ambulance / fire dept!)
Ha habido un accidente. (There's been an accident.)
Hay un incendio. (There's a fire.)
Alguien está herido. (Someone is injured.)
Necesitamos ayuda urgente. (We need urgent help.)
Estoy en la calle... (I'm on ... street.)

At the police station

SpanishEnglish
Quiero poner una denuncia.I want to file a report.
Me han robado.I've been robbed.
He perdido mi pasaporte.I've lost my passport.
Me han agredido.I've been assaulted.
Necesito un abogado.I need a lawyer.
No hablo bien español. ¿Hay intérprete?I don't speak Spanish well. Is there an interpreter?
¿Dónde está el consulado de...?Where is the ... consulate?

Medical emergencies

At the ER (urgencias)

Es una emergencia. (It's an emergency.)
No puede respirar. (He/she can't breathe.)
Está inconsciente. (He/she is unconscious.)
Está sangrando mucho. (He/she is bleeding a lot.)
Soy alérgico/a a... (I'm allergic to...)
Tomo esta medicación. (I take this medication.)
Tiene... años. (He/she is... years old.)

Grammar tip: commands matter in emergencies!

Use usted commands for strangers in emergencies

¡Llame! (Call! — usted) NOT ¡Llama! (tú — too informal for emergencies)
¡Ayúdeme! (Help me! — usted)
¡No se mueva! (Don't move! — usted)
¡Salgan del edificio! (Leave the building! — ustedes)
In emergencies, politeness matters — use usted to get cooperation.

Quick quiz

1. Emergency number in Spain = _____.

2. Help! = ¡_____!

3. I want to file a report = Quiero poner una _____.

4. I've been robbed = Me han _____.

5. I need a lawyer = Necesito un _____.

6. He can't breathe = No puede _____.

7. He's bleeding = Está _____.

8. In emergencies, use _____ commands.

9. Fire department = los _____.

10. Is there an interpreter? = ¿Hay _____?

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