How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Italy?
Last verified: 2025-01 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Police: 113 or 112. Ambulance: 118. Fire: 115. Carabinieri (military police): 112.
2What You Need to Know
Italy has several emergency services. 112 is the EU standard number and now serves as a single European emergency number in Italy connecting to police (Carabinieri), ambulance, and fire. 113 connects to the Polizia di Stato (state police), 118 directly to ambulance (SUEM), and 115 to fire brigade. In practice, 112 is the easiest to remember and works from all phones. Tourist assistance in English is available at police stations in major cities and at tourist police offices often located near main tourist sites in Rome and Florence.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1112 is the most reliable single number to call for any emergency — connects to all services
- 2118 directly for medical emergencies if you want to bypass the routing
- 3Carabinieri (military police) and Polizia di Stato both handle tourist crimes — find whichever station is closer
- 4Tourist police (Polizia Turistica) offices exist in Rome, Florence, and Venice — specifically for visitor incidents
- 5Keep a written record of your passport number and embassy contact in your wallet
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