PORTUGAL | Emergency | General information
National and European SOS number: 112 (www.sos112.info)
In Portugal, the SOS number 112 is linked to an operational telephone centre co-ordinated by the police that receives the call, determines what kind of emergency it is and forwards the call to the appropriate service: medical assistance, police, fire brigade, coast guards, etc. This service is free of charge. It’s important for the caller to give the most accurate and precise information as possible regarding the place, the emergency, if there are victims and what state they are in so that this service can be provided as quickly and efficiently as possible.
First aid in medical assistance
In Portugal, medical assistance and ambulance services are provided for by the INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency) or by the Voluntary Fire Brigade. The INEM is a body of the Ministry of Health, which co-ordinates medical assistance and first aid to the injured or victims of sudden illness in order to provide them with the basic health care (www.inem.pt).
Police
The national police force is divided amongst the PSP (Police for Public Security), the PJ (Criminal Investigation Police) and the GNR (National Republican Guards). The PSP is an armed force to secure and guarantee internal public safety and citizens’ rights (www.psp.pt).
The PJ is the Criminal Investigation Police, which carries out criminal investigations (www.policiajudiciaria.pt).
The GNR is a security force made up of the military. Their main mission is to keep public order and secure the rights and safety of the public (www.gnr.pt).
Others
- Saúde 24: 808 24 24 24 (24 hour hotline health service)
- Intoxications: 808 25 01 43
- National Social Emergency: 144
- Forest Protection: 117
- Information Services: 118
- Fire Brigade
- Marines and Coast Guard: www.marinha.pt
Health and medical assistance
EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
For nationals from the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who would like to stay temporarily in another country within this geographical area should inquire about obtaining the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at the Local/Regional Social Security Centres in their place of residence. This document allows these nationals to benefit from medical assistance and services in public healthcare institutions under the same conditions as the nationals of the host country (EU, EEA, Switzerland). For more information you can check out the site of the Portuguese Ministry of Health or, alternatively, www.seg-social.pt (Social Security) or www.dgs.pt (Directorate-General of Health).
FORM E-104
This form is used by those working in another member-State who wish to or are required to contribute to the National System of Social Security in the host country.
For EU-nationals coming to Portugal, any of these documents should be presented at the Administração Regional de Saúde located in the place of stay (restricted to mainland Portugal); at the Direcção Regional de Saúde Pública in Funchal (Autonomous Region of Madeira); at the Direcção Regional de Saúde in Angra do Heroismo, Island of Terceira (Autonomous Region of Azores).
Non-EU citizens, workers, trainees, students and visitors are required to look into social and health insurance coverage available in their country of origin for stays abroad.