In any emergency in Italy, dial 112. This is the European emergency number — it works from any phone (even without a SIM card), connects to English-speaking operators, and routes you to police, ambulance, or fire. But Italy also has FOUR other emergency numbers (a legacy system from when each service had its own line) that still work and are sometimes faster for specific situations. This guide lists every number, explains which to use when, and covers the non-emergency situations tourists face most: theft reports, lost passports, medical help, and roadside breakdowns.
Save these numbers →112 — European Emergency (Numero Unico Europeo): THE universal number. Call for ANY emergency. English-speaking operators route you to the correct service. Works from any phone, any network, even without credit or SIM. Use this if you're unsure which number to call. 113 — Polizia di Stato (State Police): For crimes, public order, general police matters. The Polizia handle cities and major crimes. 112 — Carabinieri (Military Police): Yes, 112 also reaches Carabinieri. Italy has TWO police forces — Polizia di Stato and Carabinieri (both handle crime; the Carabinieri are more present in smaller towns and rural areas). For tourists, both are equally effective. 115 — Vigili del Fuoco (Fire Brigade): Fires, structural emergencies, flooding, rescue operations. 118 — Emergenza Sanitaria (Medical Emergency/Ambulance): Medical emergencies, ambulance dispatch. 1515 — Corpo Forestale (Environmental Emergency): Forest fires, environmental emergencies. 1530 — Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard): Maritime emergencies, boat rescues.
THEFT (pickpocketing, bag snatching): Go to the nearest Polizia (Questura/Commissariato) or Carabinieri station. File a "denuncia" (formal report). This is essential for insurance claims and embassy assistance. Most police stations in tourist areas have English-speaking officers. Tip: The denuncia can take 1-3 hours (Italian bureaucracy). Bring your passport. LOST PASSPORT: 1) File a denuncia at the police. 2) Contact your embassy/consulate (all major embassies are in Rome; consulates in Milan, Florence, Naples). 3) The embassy issues an Emergency Travel Document (1-3 days, requires a photo + denuncia copy). MEDICAL NON-EMERGENCY: Guardia Medica Turistica (Tourist Medical Service) — available in tourist areas, provides walk-in doctor consultations. Hours vary. Ask at your hotel. Healthcare guide → CAR BREAKDOWN: ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) roadside assistance: 803 116 (from Italian phones) or +39 02 66165116 (from foreign phones). Driving guide →
Save these numbers in your phone before traveling: 112 (universal), 118 (ambulance), your embassy number, your travel insurance emergency line, your hotel number. What to say when calling 112: "I need help in [city name]" + describe the emergency. They will ask: your location (address or landmark), the nature of the emergency, how many people affected, your phone number. Location: If you don't know the exact address, give a nearby landmark, street name from a sign, or shop name. The 112 system can track mobile phone locations but having an address is faster. Language: 112 operators speak English. Local police stations: variable — in tourist cities, usually yes. In small towns, possibly not (use Google Translate or ask someone to interpret). Safety → · Scams →