The numbers, what to say, and how Italian emergency services work. Save this page before your trip.
Plan your Italy trip →112 — European emergency number. Works everywhere in Italy. Connects to a dispatcher who routes you to police, ambulance, or fire. English-speaking operators available. If you remember nothing else, remember 112.
118 — Medical emergency / Ambulance. Direct line to emergency medical services.
113 — Polizia di Stato (state police). For crimes, violence, serious incidents.
115 — Vigili del Fuoco (fire department). For fires, flooding, structural emergencies, people trapped.
1515 — Carabinieri emergency. Military police — handle the same things as 113.
The emergency room is called Pronto Soccorso. You'll be triaged (sorted by severity) with a color code: red (immediate), yellow (urgent), green (not urgent), white (non-emergency). Green and white codes can mean 3-6 hour waits. This is normal — it means nobody is dying. EU citizens with EHIC: treatment is free. Non-EU without insurance: you'll receive a bill (€200-400+ depending on treatment).
If you don't speak Italian, say: "Emergency. I need help. I speak English." Then give: your location (address or landmark), what happened, how many people are involved, whether anyone is injured. Stay on the line until they tell you to hang up.
Tell us your dates and interests. We'll build your perfect Italy trip.
Plan free →