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Greece is a safe country for tourists by any objective measure — the violent crime rate is low, the tourist infrastructure is well-developed, and the Greek hospitality ethic means strangers are generally more likely to help you than ignore you. But accidents happen, medical situations arise, crimes occur, and boats get into trouble on the Aegean. Knowing which number to call — and what to expect when you call it — is the kind of preparation that has no downside.
For travel insurance (which should be your first call after the emergency services), see Greece travel insurance. For broader practical preparation, see the 25 Greece travel tips.
The Essential Numbers
112 — All Emergencies (Police / Ambulance / Fire)
When to use: Any life-threatening or urgent emergency. Use 112 if you are unsure which service you need, if you do not know your exact location, or if you cannot speak Greek.
How it works: 112 is the pan-European emergency number, active in all EU countries including Greece. An automated system answers immediately, then an English-speaking operator connects you to the appropriate service (police, ambulance, fire) based on your situation. The operator can also receive location data from your mobile phone. The call is free from any phone, including phones with no SIM, no credit, and no roaming.
What to say: State your emergency clearly ("I need an ambulance — someone has collapsed"), your location (street name, landmark, GPS coordinates if you have them), and your phone number. Stay on the line until the operator tells you to end the call.
Response language: English-speaking operators are available 24/7. If you speak neither Greek nor English, tell the operator your language — international interpreter services are available for most major languages.
100 — Greek Police (Hellenic Police / Astynomia)
When to use: Police-specific emergencies — crime in progress, accident requiring police attendance, public order incidents.
Who answers: Hellenic Police (Ελληνική Αστυνομία). The officer who answers may or may not speak English; if language is a barrier, ask for the Tourist Police or call 1571 instead. In tourist areas, officers are more likely to have some English.
Note: 112 connects to the same service if you prefer to use the international number. For non-emergency police matters (reporting a theft after the fact, for example), it is better to visit the nearest police station (Astynomiko Tmima) in person.
166 — EKAB Ambulance Service
When to use: Medical emergencies requiring immediate ambulance attendance — cardiac events, serious injuries, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing.
Who answers: EKAB (Εθνικό Κέντρο Άμεσης Βοήθειας — National Centre for Emergency Aid), the Greek national ambulance service. Dispatchers have basic English; clearly stating "ambulance, please" and your location is the critical information.
Response times: In Athens and Thessaloniki, typically 8–12 minutes. In major tourist towns on larger islands, 10–20 minutes. On smaller or remote islands, response may take significantly longer — EKAB coordinates with local health centres and sometimes helicopter evacuation. If you are on a remote island, also inform your accommodation or local health centre simultaneously.
What to say: "I need an ambulance" (Thelo asthénoforo), your exact location, the nature of the medical emergency, and whether the patient is conscious and breathing.
199 — Fire Brigade (Pyrosvestiki)
When to use: Fire — building fire, wildfire, gas leak with fire risk.
Who answers: Hellenic Fire Brigade (Πυροσβεστική). Dispatchers have limited English — clearly state "fire" (fotia) and your location.
Important note for wildfires: Greece experiences significant wildfires in summer, particularly July–August on the mainland and some islands. If you see an uncontrolled fire in a natural area, call 199 immediately. Do not assume someone else has already called. Wildfire response requires early reporting — a few minutes can make a significant difference.
For gas leaks without fire: Evacuate the building and call 199. Do not use electrical switches, mobile phones inside the building, or anything that could create a spark.
108 — Hellenic Coast Guard (Limeniko Soma)
When to use: Any emergency at sea or in coastal waters — capsizing, man overboard, fire on a vessel, medical emergency aboard a boat, distress signal, or if you see someone in difficulty at sea.
Who answers: Hellenic Coast Guard (Λιμενικό Σώμα). The coast guard operates one of the largest maritime search and rescue services in Europe, coordinating across Greece's 16,000 km of coastline. English-speaking operators are available.
VHF Channel 16: If you are on a boat with a VHF radio, Channel 16 is the international maritime distress channel and the primary communication method for maritime emergencies — more reliable at sea than a mobile phone signal.
Additional coast guard contact: In port areas, approach the harbour master's office (Limenarchion) directly for non-emergency maritime issues.
1571 — Tourist Police
When to use: Tourist-specific incidents — theft from a hotel or beach, scams by taxi or tour operators, lost or stolen travel documents, disputes with accommodation or tour operators, any situation where you need police assistance but want officers with English language capability.
Who answers: Tourist Police (Τουριστική Αστυνομία), a specialised unit of the Hellenic Police with officers trained to assist foreign visitors. Widely present in Athens, major island tourist centres (Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes), and all significant tourist towns.
In Athens: The Tourist Police have a dedicated office open 24 hours in central Athens. For non-urgent matters, visiting in person is often more productive than calling.
For lost passports: Report to the Tourist Police (1571) and your country's embassy or consulate. The US Embassy in Athens is at +30 210 720 2490; the UK Embassy is at +30 210 727 2600.
10400 — ELPA Road Assistance
When to use: Vehicle breakdown, flat tyre, accident requiring tow truck.
Who answers: ELPA (Automobile and Touring Club of Greece) road assistance service. English-speaking operators. Covers the full Greek road network including most island roads.
Cost note: ELPA road assistance is free for members of ELPA and reciprocal motoring clubs (AA, RAC, AAA, ADAC, etc.) on presentation of membership. Non-members are charged. Most rental cars include some form of roadside assistance — check your rental agreement for the number to call.
Other Useful Numbers
Hospital referral (EKAB non-emergency): 166 can also advise on the nearest appropriate hospital or clinic for non-emergency medical situations.
Pharmacy night duty: Greek pharmacies operate a night duty (efimeria) rotation. The duty pharmacy in each area is listed on a sign on closed pharmacy doors. In Athens, call 1434 for the pharmacy duty line.
Poison control: 210 779 3777 (Greek Poison Control Centre, Athens).
SOS Médecins (Athens): Private medical house-call service, available in Athens. +30 210 821 3300.
Practical Tips: When You Call
State your location first. In any emergency call, give your location before describing the emergency — "I'm on Ermou Street near Monastiraki, number 45" — because if the call drops, the dispatch team knows where to send help.
If you don't know your location: Look for a street name on nearby buildings, a landmark, a Google Maps pin, or the nearest shop name. On an island with no street names, describe your position relative to the port, beach, or main road.
Stay on the line. Emergency dispatchers will guide you through what to do while help is on the way. Do not hang up unless instructed to.
Call from your own phone where possible. Mobile phone calls to emergency services transmit location data. A call from your phone is more traceable than a call from a payphone.
If you are on a remote island: Supplement your emergency call by alerting local residents, hotel staff, or the harbour master simultaneously. Local knowledge accelerates response on small islands where official response times can be long.
Emergency Numbers at a Glance
Number | Service | When to use
112 | All emergencies (EU) | Any life-threatening emergency — works from any phone
100 | Police | Crime in progress, accident
166 | Ambulance (EKAB) | Medical emergency
199 | Fire Brigade | Fire, gas leak with fire risk
108 | Coast Guard | Sea emergency, coastal distress
1571 | Tourist Police | Tourist incidents, theft, lost documents
10400 | Road Assistance (ELPA) | Breakdown, flat tyre
210 779 3777 | Poison Control | Poisoning or toxic exposure
Plan Your Trip
- Greece Travel Insurance — essential cover for medical and other emergencies
- 25 Greece Travel Tips — practical preparation for your trip
- Getting Around Greece — transport logistics including what to do if a ferry cancels
- Greece Packing List — what to bring including a basic first aid kit
- How to Plan a Trip to Greece — full planning framework
🇬🇷 Planning your Greece trip? Use our AI Trip Planner to build your itinerary — or take our quiz to find the right Greek destination for your travel style.
Written by
Athens-born engineer · Coordinates a 5-expert Greek team · 50+ years combined field experience
I write every article on this site drawing on real, first-hand expertise — mine and that of four colleagues who live and work across Greece daily: a Peloponnese tour operator, a transfer specialist across Athens, Mykonos & Santorini, a Cretan hotel owner, and a Northern Greece hotel supplier. Nothing here comes from a single visit or desk research.
Informed by 5 Greek experts
Every destination we cover has been visited and vetted by at least one team member — not for a review, but as part of their daily work in Greek tourism.