Lisbon Tourist Safety Guide — Emergency Numbers, Scams & Hospitals

🚨 Emergency Numbers in Lisbon

General Emergency 112 Police 112 Ambulance 112 Fire 112

Source: Portuguese Government (gov.pt)

Tourist Police in Lisbon

PSP Tourist Support Police (Esquadra de Turismo) — 213 421 634

The PSP runs a dedicated tourist police station in central Lisbon (Praça dos Restauradores / Palácio Foz) to help visitors report crimes with multilingual support; call 112 for emergencies.

Hospitals & Medical Care

Public hospital emergency rooms (Urgências) treat urgent cases. EU visitors use the EHIC/GHIC; non-EU tourists pay and claim via insurance. Dial 112 for an ambulance. The SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) gives health advice, and pharmacies (farmácia, green cross) help with minor issues.

Embassies & Consulates

Most embassies are in central Lisbon's Lapa, Estrela and Avenidas Novas areas. Search your own country's embassy directory for the exact address.

Find your embassy in Portugal →

Emergency Phrases

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English	Local	Pronunciation
Help!	Socorro!	soo-KOH-rroo
Call the police	Chame a polícia	SHAH-muh ah poo-LEE-see-ah
I need a doctor	Preciso de um médico	preh-SEE-zoo duh oon MEH-dee-koo
Where is the hospital?	Onde é o hospital?	ON-duh eh oo osh-pee-TAL
I'm lost	Estou perdido/a	esh-TOH per-DEE-doo

Common Scams in Lisbon

Drug dealers offering 'hashish' near Baixa and tourist streets often sell fakes — decline and walk on.
Pickpockets on Tram 28, at Santa Justa lift queues and around Rossio — keep valuables secure.
Overpriced restaurants where unrequested couvert (bread/olives) is charged — you can refuse it and check the bill.
Fake charity/petition clipboards used for distraction — decline.
Taxi overcharging from the airport — use the meter, a fixed voucher, or Bolt/Uber.

Safety Notes for Tourists

Lisbon is one of Europe's safest capitals; the main risk is pickpocketing, especially on Tram 28 and the metro.
Steep, cobbled hills are slippery — wear good shoes and take care in the rain.
Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré nightlife are lively; keep an eye on belongings late at night.
Beware pushy street dealers around Baixa/Chiado — they are a nuisance rather than a violent threat.

Frequently Asked Questions — Staying Safe in Lisbon

What is the emergency number in Lisbon?

Dial 112 for police, ambulance and fire. For health advice call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24; a dedicated tourist police station can help with reports.

Is Lisbon safe at night?

Lisbon is generally very safe at night; take normal care with valuables in busy nightlife areas like Bairro Alto and on crowded trams.

What should I do if I'm robbed in Lisbon?

Call 112 if in danger; otherwise report at a police station (the tourist police station is convenient) to get a report for insurance, and cancel stolen cards immediately.

Do police in Lisbon speak English?

Many officers speak some English, and the dedicated tourist police offer multilingual help to make reporting straightforward for visitors.

Last verified: 2026-08-14

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