While Spain is generally a safe country for travelers, knowing how to communicate during emergencies, medical situations, or when you’ve encountered problems is absolutely essential. This guide covers the critical vocabulary you need if something goes wrong—from calling for help to describing symptoms to the police, reporting theft, or navigating a medical crisis. These aren’t phrases you hope to use, but they could genuinely save your life or resolve a serious situation.

Calling Emergency Services: The Most Critical Information

The emergency number in Spain is 112 (ciento doce)—this works for police, ambulance, fire services, and traffic accidents.

¡Necesito ayuda! (neh-theh-see-toh ah-yoo-dah) = I need help!
The most urgent phrase you might need

¡Llamé a emergencias! (yah-meh ah eh-mer-hen-thee-ahs) = I called emergency services!
Telling someone you’ve called for help

¿Cuál es el número de emergencia? (kwal es el noo-meh-roh deh eh-mer-hen-thee-ah) = What is the emergency number?
In case you need to ask someone

Necesito una ambulancia (neh-theh-see-toh oo-nah ahm-boo-lahn-thee-ah) = I need an ambulance
Clear medical emergency

Necesito la policía (neh-theh-see-toh lah poh-lee-thee-ah) = I need the police
For crime or safety situations

Necesito bomberos (neh-theh-see-toh bohm-beh-rohs) = I need the fire department
For fires or rescue situations

Por favor, envíen una ambulancia (por fah-vor, en-bee-en oo-nah ahm-boo-lahn-thee-ah) = Please send an ambulance
Polite but urgent request

Estoy en peligro (es-toy en peh-lee-groh) = I’m in danger
Indicates immediate threat to safety

Alguien me está atacando (ahl-gee-en meh es-tah ah-tah-kahn-doh) = Someone is attacking me
Emergency assault situation

He tenido un accidente (eh teh-nee-doh oon ahk-thee-den-teh) = I’ve had an accident
Traffic or other accidents

Mi número es… (mee noo-meh-roh es) = My number is…
Give your phone number for emergency callback

Estoy en la dirección… (es-toy en lah dee-rek-thee-ohn) = I’m at the address…
Location information is critical

Medical Emergencies: Describing Your Situation

Duele aquí (doo-eh-leh ah-kee) = It hurts here
Point to the location while saying this

Me duele el pecho (meh doo-eh-leh el peh-choh) = My chest hurts
Potential heart attack symptom; extremely serious

Tengo dificultad para respirar (ten-goh dee-fee-kool-tahd pah-rah reh-spee-rar) = I’m having difficulty breathing
Another serious symptom requiring immediate attention

Estoy sangrando mucho (es-toy sahn-grahn-doh moo-choh) = I’m bleeding a lot
Serious injury

He perdido el conocimiento (eh per-dee-doh el koh-noh-thee-mee-en-toh) = I’ve lost consciousness
Describe to others if you regain awareness after passing out

Tengo fiebre (ten-goh fee-eh-breh) = I have a fever
Common symptom to communicate

Me duele la cabeza (meh doo-eh-leh lah kah-beh-sah) = I have a headache
Could indicate many conditions; always relevant in medical situations

Tengo vómitos (ten-goh voh-mee-tohs) = I’m vomiting
Often accompanies food poisoning or serious illness

Soy alérgico/alérgica a… (soy ah-ler-hee-koh/kah ah) = I’m allergic to…
Critical medical information
…la penicilina (lah peh-nee-thee-lee-nah) = penicillin
…los cacahuetes (lohs kah-kah-weh-tehs) = peanuts
…la lactosa (lah lahk-toh-sah) = lactose
…el gluten (el gloo-ten) = gluten

¿Es una reacción alérgica? (es oo-nah reh-ahk-thee-ohn ah-ler-hee-kah) = Is this an allergic reaction?
Asking medical personnel

Tengo un pito en el oído (ten-goh oon pee-toh en el oh-ee-doh) = I have ringing in my ear
Symptom of various conditions

Me siento débil (meh see-en-toh deh-beel) = I feel weak
General weakness symptom

Estoy mareado/mareada (es-toy mah-reh-ah-doh/dah) = I’m dizzy
Common symptom of many conditions

He comido algo en mal estado (eh koh-mee-doh ahl-goh en mahl es-tah-doh) = I ate something bad
Food poisoning

Tengo dolor de estómago (ten-goh doh-lor deh es-toh-mah-goh) = I have stomach pain
Digestive distress

Tengo insolación (ten-goh een-soh-lah-thee-ohn) = I have sunstroke
Common in Spain during summer
This is serious—requires immediate shade, water, and cooling

Me duele la muñeca (meh doo-eh-leh lah moon-yeh-kah) = My wrist hurts
Suspected fracture or sprain

Creo que me he roto algo (kreh-oh keh meh eh rroh-toh ahl-goh) = I think I’ve broken something
General expression of serious injury

Hospital and Pharmacy Visits

El hospital (el ohs-pee-tahl) = The hospital
¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? (dohn-deh es-tah el ohs-pee-tahl mahs ther-kah-noh) = Where is the nearest hospital?

La farmacia (lah far-mah-thee-ah) = The pharmacy
Necesito una farmacia (neh-theh-see-toh oo-nah far-mah-thee-ah) = I need a pharmacy
Spanish pharmacies (farmacias) are marked with a green cross and are excellent for minor ailments and medications

Una receta (oo-nah reh-theh-tah) = A prescription
¿Necesito una receta? (neh-theh-see-toh oo-nah reh-theh-tah) = Do I need a prescription?

¿Cuál es la dosis? (kwal es lah doh-sees) = What is the dose?
Critical for medication safety

¿Cuántas veces al día? (kwahn-tahs beh-thes ahl dee-ah) = How many times a day?
Dosing frequency

Cada ocho horas (kah-dah oh-choh oh-rahs) = Every eight hours
Common dosing instruction

Antes de las comidas (ahn-tes deh lahs koh-mee-dahs) = Before meals
Taking medication with food guidelines

Después de las comidas (des-pwes deh lahs koh-mee-dahs) = After meals
Another dosing instruction

No me den medicamentos fuertes (noh meh den meh-dee-kah-men-tohs fwer-tes) = Don’t give me strong medications
If you’re sensitive to medications

¿Cuáles son los efectos secundarios? (kwal-es sohn lohs eh-fek-tohs seh-koon-dah-ree-ohs) = What are the side effects?
Important safety information

Necesito paracetamol (neh-theh-see-toh pah-rah-theh-tah-mohl) = I need paracetamol (ibuprofen equivalent)
Common over-the-counter pain relief

¿Sin receta? (seen reh-theh-tah) = Without a prescription?
Asking if medication is available OTC

Police and Crime: Theft and Safety

Spain has two main police forces: Policía Nacional (poh-lee-thee-ah nah-thee-oh-nahl)—national police—and Guardia Civil (gwhar-dee-ah thee-beel)—civil guard. For most tourist-related issues, you’ll deal with Policía Nacional.

He sido robado/robada (eh see-doh roh-bah-doh/dah) = I’ve been robbed
Direct statement of theft

Me han robado la cartera (meh ahn roh-bah-doh lah kar-teh-rah) = Someone stole my wallet
Specific theft report

Me han robado el pasaporte (meh ahn roh-bah-doh el pah-sah-por-teh) = Someone stole my passport
Critical document; requires police report for replacement

Me han robado el móvil (meh ahn roh-bah-doh el moh-beel) = Someone stole my phone
Very common in tourist areas

He perdido mis documentos (eh per-dee-doh mees doh-koo-men-tohs) = I’ve lost my documents
You can lose rather than be robbed—the outcome is similar

¿Dónde está la comisaría? (dohn-deh es-tah lah koh-mee-sah-ree-ah) = Where is the police station?
You’ll need to file an official report (denuncia)

Necesito hacer una denuncia (neh-theh-see-toh ah-ther oo-nah deh-noon-thee-ah) = I need to file a report
Official police report needed for insurance claims

Necesito un informe de la policía (neh-theh-see-toh oon een-for-meh deh lah poh-lee-thee-ah) = I need a police report
Document for insurance purposes

La denuncia para el seguro (lah deh-noon-thee-ah pah-rah el seh-goo-roh) = The report for insurance
Clarifying purpose of the report

¿Puedo hablar con un agente? (pweh-doh ah-blar kohn oon ah-hen-teh) = Can I speak with an officer?
Requesting police assistance

No entiendo lo que dice (noh en-tee-en-doh loh keh dee-theh) = I don’t understand what you’re saying
If communication breaks down with police

¿Hay un intérprete? (ah-ee oon een-ter-preh-teh) = Is there an interpreter?
Request for translation assistance

He sido atacado/atacada (eh see-doh ah-tah-kah-doh/dah) = I’ve been attacked
Violent crime

He sido asaltado/asaltada (eh see-doh ah-sahl-tah-doh/dah) = I’ve been mugged/assaulted
Robbery with violence

Necesito una orden de protección (neh-theh-see-toh oo-nah or-den deh proh-tek-thee-ohn) = I need a protection order
In cases of serious threats or harassment

Common Tourist-Area Crime and Prevention Language

Ten cuidado con los carteristas (ten koo-ee-dah-doh kohn lohs kar-teh-rees-tahs) = Watch out for pickpockets
Carteristas (pickpockets) are common in major Spanish cities and tourist areas

Los carteristas trabajan en grupos (lohs kar-teh-rees-tahs trah-bah-hahn en groo-pohs) = Pickpockets work in groups
Often one distracts while others steal

No lleves bolsas caras (noh yeh-ves bohl-sahs kah-rahs) = Don’t carry expensive bags
Reducing visibility of valuable items

Guarda tu pasaporte en un lugar seguro (gwar-dah too pah-sah-por-teh en oon loo-gar seh-goo-roh) = Keep your passport in a safe place
Hotel safe is essential

No dejes nada de valor en el coche (noh deh-hes nah-dah deh bah-lor en el koh-cheh) = Don’t leave anything of value in the car
Vehicles are targets for theft

La multa por exceso de velocidad (lah mool-tah por ek-theh-soh deh beh-loh-thee-dahd) = A speeding ticket
If you’re renting a car; speed limits are strictly enforced

Car Breakdowns and Road Emergencies

El coche no arranca (el koh-cheh noh ah-rahn-kah) = The car won’t start
Common breakdown scenario

Tengo un pinchazo (ten-goh oon peen-chah-soh) = I have a flat tire
Literally “puncture”

Se me ha roto el coche (seh meh ah rroh-toh el koh-cheh) = My car has broken down
General mechanical failure

Necesito una grúa (neh-theh-see-toh oo-nah groo-ah) = I need a tow truck
For serious breakdowns

¿Hay un taller por aquí? (ah-ee oon tah-yehr por ah-kee) = Is there a mechanic/repair shop nearby?
Finding automotive help

¿Cuánto costará la reparación? (kwahn-toh kohs-tah-rah lah reh-pah-rah-thee-ohn) = How much will the repair cost?
Budget planning

Mi póliza de seguros cubre esto (mee poh-lee-thah deh seh-goo-rohs koo-breh es-toh) = My insurance covers this
Clarifying who pays for repairs

¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? (ah-thep-tah tar-heh-tah deh kreh-dee-toh) = Do you accept credit cards?
Payment method clarification

Insurance and Documentation

Mi seguro de viaje (mee seh-goo-roh deh bee-ah-heh) = My travel insurance
Essential document while traveling

Necesito llamar a mi aseguradora (neh-theh-see-toh yah-mar ah mee ah-seh-goo-rah-doh-rah) = I need to call my insurance company
After incidents covered by insurance

¿Cuál es el número de emergencia de mi aseguradora? (kwal es el noo-meh-roh deh eh-mer-hen-thee-ah deh mee ah-seh-goo-rah-doh-rah) = What is the emergency number for my insurance company?
Insurance usually provides this

Mi pasaporte está vencido (mee pah-sah-por-teh es-tah ben-thee-doh) = My passport is expired
Documentation issue

He perdido mi tarjeta de crédito (eh per-dee-doh mee tar-heh-tah deh kreh-dee-toh) = I’ve lost my credit card
Financial emergency

¿Necesito un certificado médico? (neh-theh-see-toh oon ther-tee-fee-kah-doh meh-dee-koh) = Do I need a medical certificate?
For insurance claims or continuing travel

Contacting Your Embassy or Consulate

¿Dónde está la embajada? (dohn-deh es-tah lah em-bah-hah-dah) = Where is the embassy?
Most English-speaking travelers have an embassy

¿Dónde está el consulado? (dohn-deh es-tah el kohn-soo-lah-doh) = Where is the consulate?
Consulates handle many services that embassies don’t

He perdido mi pasaporte (eh per-dee-doh mee pah-sah-por-teh) = I’ve lost my passport
Need to replace travel document

Me han robado todos mis documentos (meh ahn roh-bah-doh toh-dohs mees doh-koo-men-tohs) = Someone stole all my documents
You’ll need to contact your embassy for emergency travel documents

¿Puedo hablar con alguien del consulado? (pweh-doh ah-blar kohn ahl-gee-en del kohn-soo-lah-doh) = Can I speak with someone from the consulate?
Request for assistance

¿Hablan inglés? (ah-blahn een-glés) = Do you speak English?
Embassy/consulate staff usually do

Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies

Hay una tormenta (ah-ee oo-nah tor-men-tah) = There’s a storm
General storm warning

Hay viento muy fuerte (ah-ee vee-en-toh moo-ee fwer-teh) = The wind is very strong
Strong wind warning

Está lloviendo mucho (es-tah yoh-bee-en-doh moo-choh) = It’s raining heavily
Heavy rain alert

¿Es seguro salir? (es seh-goo-roh sah-leer) = Is it safe to go outside?
Safety assessment during bad weather

¿Debo quedarme dentro? (deh-boh keh-dar-meh den-troh) = Should I stay inside?
Asking about shelter advice

¿Hay alertas de tiempo severo? (ah-ee ah-ler-tahs deh tee-em-poh seh-beh-roh) = Are there severe weather alerts?
Checking official warnings

¿Es una zona de inundación? (es oo-nah thoh-nah deh ee-noon-dah-thee-ohn) = Is this a flood zone?
Assessing evacuation risk

¿Dónde está el refugio más cercano? (dohn-deh es-tah el reh-foo-hee-oh mahs ther-kah-noh) = Where is the nearest shelter?
Seeking safe location during severe weather

Practical Safety Tips in Spanish

No vayas a ese barrio por la noche (noh bah-yahs ah eh-seh bar-ree-oh por lah noh-cheh) = Don’t go to that neighborhood at night
Local safety advice

Es peligroso (es peh-lee-groh-soh) = It’s dangerous
Warning about locations or activities

Es seguro (es seh-goo-roh) = It’s safe
Reassurance about places

¿Es segura esta zona? (es seh-goo-rah es-tah thoh-nah) = Is this area safe?
Asking locals about neighborhood safety

Mantén tus cosas seguras (man-ten too kohs-ahs seh-goo-rahs) = Keep your things safe
General security advice

No andes solo de noche (noh ahn-des soh-loh deh noh-cheh) = Don’t walk alone at night
Common-sense safety advice

Viaja con dinero escondido (bee-ah-hah kohn dee-neh-roh es-kohn-dee-doh) = Travel with hidden money
Safety measure for backup funds

Final Thoughts

While Spain is generally a safe country, knowing emergency vocabulary could genuinely save your life or help resolve serious situations. The most important numbers to memorize are 112 (emergency) and the location of your embassy/consulate.

Most Spanish speakers involved in emergency situations—police, hospital staff, paramedics—understand that you might not speak perfect Spanish. Speak clearly, point to locations, use gestures, and communicate the most essential information first. Your safety is paramount, and professionals are trained to work with people who don’t speak Spanish fluently.

Keep copies of your important documents (passport, insurance information, consulate contact details) in a separate location from the originals. Write down emergency numbers before you need them. These precautions, combined with knowledge of these critical phrases, will help you handle emergencies with confidence and get the help you need quickly.