Introduction

No traveler wants to think about emergencies, but being prepared with the right language can literally save your life or prevent a bad situation from becoming worse. Portugal is a very safe country overall, but like any destination, unexpected situations can arise—from medical emergencies to lost passports, car breakdowns to beach safety concerns.

In this guide, we’ll cover the essential Portuguese phrases you hope you never need, but will be grateful to have if you do. We’ll focus on practical, real-world scenarios: calling emergency services, navigating pharmacies, dealing with police, getting help when you’re lost or injured, and understanding important safety concepts.

Calling Emergency Services

The Emergency Number

In Portugal, 112 is the universal emergency number. It connects you to police, fire, ambulance, or maritime rescue depending on your situation.

Reporting an Emergency

• Preciso de ajuda! (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-ZHU-duh!) – I need help!

Preciso de uma ambulância! (pruh-SEE-zoo duh OO-muh am-boo-LAN-syuh!) – I need an ambulance!

Há um acidente! (ah oom uh-see-DEN-tuh!) – There’s an accident!

Alguém está ferido/ferida! (al-GNEM esh-TAH fuh-REE-doo/fuh-REE-duh!) – Someone is injured! (masculine/feminine)

Chamem a polícia! (SHAH-mem uh puh-LEE-see-uh!) – Call the police!

Há um incêndio! (ah oom in-SEN-dee-oo!) – There’s a fire!

Preciso de bombeiros! (pruh-SEE-zoo duh bom-BAY-roosh!) – I need firefighters!

É uma emergência! (eh OO-muh eh-mer-ZHN-see-uh!) – It’s an emergency!

Pode enviar uma ambulância para… (POH-duh en-vee-AR OO-muh am-boo-LAN-syuh PAH-ruh…) – Can you send an ambulance to…?

Giving Your Location

Estou em… (esh-TOH em…) – I’m at…

Estou perto de… (esh-TOH PER-too duh…) – I’m near…

O endereço é… (oo en-duh-REH-soo eh…) – The address is…

Estou numa rua chamada… (esh-TOH NOO-muh ROO-uh shuh-MAH-duh…) – I’m on a street called…

Próximo da praia (PROK-see-moo duh PRAH-uh) – Near the beach

No centro da cidade (noo SEN-troo duh see-DAH-duh) – In the city center

Na autoestrada (nuh ow-too-esh-TRAH-duh) – On the highway

Medical Emergencies

General Medical Phrases

Estou muito doente (esh-TOH MOO-ee-too doo-EN-tuh) – I’m very sick

Tenho muita dor (TEN-yoo MOO-ee-tuh dor) – I have a lot of pain

Dói-me aqui (DOY-muh uh-KEE) – It hurts here

Perdi a consciência (per-DEE uh kohn-shee-EN-syuh) – I lost consciousness

Não consigo respirar (nown kohn-SEE-goo ruh-spee-RAR) – I can’t breathe

Tenho o peito aperto (TEN-yoo oo PAY-too uh-PER-too) – My chest is tight

Tenho tonturas (TEN-yoo TON-too-rush) – I’m dizzy

Estou a vomitar (esh-TOH uh voo-mee-TAR) – I’m vomiting

Tenho febre (TEN-yoo FEH-bruh) – I have a fever

Estou ferido/ferida (esh-TOH fuh-REE-doo/fuh-REE-duh) – I’m injured (masculine/feminine)

Tenho uma ferida aberta (TEN-yoo OO-muh fuh-REE-duh uh-BER-tuh) – I have an open wound

Caí e magoi-me (kuh-EE eh muh-goo-AY-muh) – I fell and hurt myself

Bati a cabeça (buh-TEE uh kuh-buh-SAH) – I hit my head

Specific Health Issues

Tenho uma alergia a… (TEN-yoo OO-muh uh-LER-zhuh uh…) – I have an allergy to…

Sou diabético/diabética (sow dee-uh-BEH-tee-koo/dee-uh-BEH-tee-kuh) – I’m diabetic (masculine/feminine)

Tenho asma (TEN-yoo AHS-muh) – I have asthma

Tenho epilepsia (TEN-yoo eh-pee-LEP-see-uh) – I have epilepsy

Sou grávida (sow GRAH-vee-duh) – I’m pregnant

Estou a tomar medicamentos para… (esh-TOH uh too-MAR muh-dee-kuh-MEN-toosh PAH-ruh…) – I’m taking medication for…

Preciso da minha medicação urgentemente (pruh-SEE-zoo duh mee-NYUH muh-dee-kuh-SOWN ur-ZHN-tuh-MEN-tuh) – I need my medication urgently

At the Hospital/Clinic

Onde é o hospital? (ON-duh eh oo os-pee-TAL?) – Where is the hospital?

Preciso de ir ao hospital (pruh-SEE-zoo duh eer ah oo os-pee-TAL) – I need to go to the hospital

Há um centro de saúde perto daqui? (ah oom SEN-troo duh suh-OO-duh PER-too duh-KEE?) – Is there a health center near here?

Qual é o horário? (kwal eh oo uh-RAH-ree-oo?) – What are the hours?

Preciso de um médico (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oom MEH-dee-koo) – I need a doctor

Tem uma clínica aberta agora? (tem OO-muh KLEE-nee-kuh uh-BER-tuh uh-GOH-ruh?) – Is there a clinic open now?

Preciso de atendimento urgente (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-ten-dee-MEN-too ur-ZHN-tuh) – I need urgent care

Sinto dores no abdómen (SIN-too DOR-ush noo ab-DO-men) – I have stomach pain

Qual é o diagnóstico? (kwal eh oo dee-ag-NOS-tee-koo?) – What’s the diagnosis?

Preciso de uma receita? (pruh-SEE-zoo duh OO-muh ruh-SAY-tuh?) – Do I need a prescription?

Quanto custa a consulta? (KWAN-too KOOSH-tuh uh kohn-SOOL-tuh?) – How much is the consultation?

Pharmacy (Farmácia)

Portugal has excellent pharmacies, and pharmacists can help with many non-emergency issues:

At the Pharmacy

Farmácia (far-MAH-see-uh) – Pharmacy

Tem uma farmácia aberta? (tem OO-muh far-MAH-see-uh uh-BER-tuh?) – Is there an open pharmacy?

Preciso de… (pruh-SEE-zoo duh…) – I need…

Tem algo para a dor? (tem AL-goo PAH-ruh uh dor?) – Do you have something for pain?

Tem algo para a tosse? (tem AL-goo PAH-ruh uh TOS-uh?) – Do you have something for a cough?

Tem algo para a constipação? (tem AL-goo PAH-ruh uh kohn-stee-puh-SOWN?) – Do you have something for a cold?

Antiinflamatório (an-tee-in-fluh-muh-TOR-ee-oo) – Anti-inflammatory

Analgésico (uh-nal-ZHE-see-koo) – Pain reliever

Sem receita (sem ruh-SAY-tuh) – Over-the-counter

Com receita (kohm ruh-SAY-tuh) – Prescription needed

Qual é a dosagem? (kwal eh uh doo-ZAH-zhum?) – What’s the dosage?

Quantas vezes por dia? (KWAN-tush VEH-zush poor DEE-uh?) – How many times per day?

Com ou sem comida? (kohm oo sem kuh-MEE-duh?) – With or without food?

Tem efeitos secundários? (tem uh-FAY-toosh suh-koon-dah-REE-oosh?) – Does it have side effects?

Police Interactions

In Case of Crime or Dispute

Preciso de falar com a polícia (pruh-SEE-zoo duh fuh-LAR kohm uh puh-LEE-see-uh) – I need to speak with the police

Fui roubado/roubada (foo-ee roh-BAH-doo/roh-BAH-duh) – I was robbed (masculine/feminine)

Roubaram-me o telemóvel (roh-BAH-rum-muh oo tuh-luh-MOH-vel) – My phone was stolen

Perdi o meu passaporte (per-DEE oo meh-oo puh-suh-POR-tuh) – I lost my passport

Perdi a minha carteira (per-DEE uh mee-NYUH kar-TAY-ruh) – I lost my wallet

Houve um assalto (OH-vuh oom uh-sahl-TOH) – There was a robbery

Fui agredido/agredida (foo-ee uh-gruh-DEE-doo/uh-gruh-DEE-duh) – I was assaulted (masculine/feminine)

Preciso de apresentar queixa (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-pruh-zen-TAR KAY-shuh) – I need to file a report

Tem uma cópia do ocorrido? (tem OO-muh KO-pee-uh doo uh-kuh-REE-doo?) – Do you have a copy of the report?

Para a minha segurança (PAH-ruh uh mee-NYUH suh-goo-RAN-suh) – For my safety

Understanding Police Terms

Portugal has two main police forces:

PSP (Puh-eh-EH-puh) – Polícia de Segurança Pública (Public Security Police), urban areas

GNR (ZHUH-en-EH-ruh) – Guarda Nacional Republicana (National Republican Guard), highways and rural areas

Important Notices

Documentação (duh-koo-men-tuh-SOWN) – Documentation/papers

Cartão de cidadão (car-TOWN duh see-duh-DOWN) – Citizen card

Passaporte (puh-suh-POR-tuh) – Passport

Visto (VEESH-too) – Visa

Carta de condução (KAR-tuh duh kohn-doo-SOWN) – Driver’s license

Preciso de um advogado (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oom ad-vuh-GAH-doo) – I need a lawyer

Lost or Stolen Items

Reporting Losses

Perdi… (per-DEE…) – I lost…

Roubaram-me… (roh-BAH-rum-muh…) – They stole my…

O meu telemóvel (oo meh-oo tuh-luh-MOH-vel) – My phone

O meu passaporte (oo meh-oo puh-suh-POR-tuh) – My passport

Os meus documentos (oosh meh-oosh duh-koo-MEN-toosh) – My documents

O meu cartão de crédito (oo meh-oo car-TOWN duh KREH-dee-too) – My credit card

Tenho de anular o meu cartão (TEN-yoo duh uh-noo-LAR oo meh-oo car-TOWN) – I need to cancel my card

Preciso de um número de série (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oom NOO-muh-roo duh SEH-ree-uh) – I need a serial number

Car Breakdowns & Accidents

Car Trouble

O meu carro avariou (oo meh-oo KAH-roo uh-vuh-ree-OO) – My car broke down

Há um pneu furado (ah oom pneh-OO foo-RAH-doo) – There’s a flat tire

Preciso de reboque (pruh-SEE-zoo duh ruh-BO-kuh) – I need a tow truck

O motor não arranca (oo muh-TOR nown uh-RAN-kuh) – The engine won’t start

Há um problema com o carro (ah oom pruh-BLEH-muh kohm oo KAH-roo) – There’s a problem with the car

Pode ajudar-me? (POH-duh uh-zhoo-DAR-muh?) – Can you help me?

Há um número de emergência para assistência de estrada? (ah oom NOO-muh-roo duh eh-mer-ZHN-see-uh PAH-ruh uh-sees-TEN-syuh duh esh-TRAH-duh?) – Is there an emergency number for roadside assistance?

Car Accidents

Houve um acidente de trânsito (OH-vuh oom uh-see-DEN-tuh duh TRAN-zee-too) – There was a traffic accident

Chamem a polícia (SHAH-mem uh puh-LEE-see-uh) – Call the police

Há feridos? (ah fuh-REE-doosh?) – Are there injuries?

O outro condutor tem seguro? (oo OH-troo kohn-doo-TOR tem suh-GOO-roo?) – Does the other driver have insurance?

Qual é o seu número de matrícula? (kwal eh oo seu NOO-muh-roo duh muh-TREE-koo-luh?) – What’s your license plate number?

Preciso do seu nome e telefone (pruh-SEE-zoo doo seu NO-muh eh tuh-luh-FOH-nuh) – I need your name and phone number

Tenho de fazer um relatório (TEN-yoo duh fuh-ZER oom ruh-luh-TOR-ee-oo) – I need to make a report

Beach Safety

Portugal’s beaches are beautiful but can have hazards:

Beach Safety Terms

Praia (PRAH-uh) – Beach

Bandeira vermelha (ban-DAY-ruh ver-MEH-lyuh) – Red flag (no swimming)

Bandeira amarela (ban-DAY-ruh uh-muh-REH-luh) – Yellow flag (caution)

Bandeira verde (ban-DAY-ruh VER-duh) – Green flag (safe to swim)

Corrente de retorno (kuh-REN-tuh duh ruh-TOR-noo) – Riptide/rip current

Afogamento (uh-foo-guh-MEN-too) – Drowning

Lifeguard/Nadador-salvador (nuh-duh-DOR sal-vuh-DOR) – Lifeguard

Há rochas debaixo de água (ah RO-shush duh-by-shoo duh AH-gwuh) – There are rocks under the water

Há ouriços (ah uh-REE-soosh) – There are sea urchins

Cuidado com o sol (kwee-DAH-doo kohm oo sol) – Be careful with the sun

Protetor solar (pruh-tuh-TOR suh-LAR) – Sunscreen

Erupção solar (eh-roop-SOWN suh-LAR) – Heat rash

Embassy & Consulate

If you need serious help as a foreigner:

Preciso contactar a minha embaixada (pruh-SEE-zoo kohn-tuh-TAR uh mee-NYUH em-by-SHAH-duh) – I need to contact my embassy

Onde é o consulado? (ON-duh eh oo kohn-soo-LAH-doo?) – Where is the consulate?

Qual é o número de emergência? (kwal eh oo NOO-muh-roo duh eh-mer-ZHN-see-uh?) – What’s the emergency number?

Preciso de um substituto de passaporte (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oom suhs-tee-TOO-too duh puh-suh-POR-tuh) – I need a passport replacement

Preciso de ajuda para voltar para casa (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-ZHU-duh PAH-ruh vol-TAR PAH-ruh KAH-zuh) – I need help getting home

Insurance Phrases

Seguro de viagem (suh-GOO-roo duh vee-AH-zhum) – Travel insurance

Seguro de saúde (suh-GOO-roo duh suh-OO-duh) – Health insurance

Preciso de apresentar uma reclamação (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-pruh-zen-TAR OO-muh ruh-kluh-muh-SOWN) – I need to file a claim

Qual é o número da apólice? (kwal eh oo NOO-muh-roo duh uh-POH-lee-suh?) – What’s the policy number?

Preciso de um comprovante (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oom kohm-pruh-VAN-tuh) – I need proof/documentation

Mental Health & Crisis Support

Portugal has mental health services available:

Estou a ter uma crise (esh-TOH uh ter OO-muh CREE-zuh) – I’m having a crisis

Estou em desespero (esh-TOH em duh-zuh-PEH-roo) – I’m in despair

Preciso de falar com um psicólogo (pruh-SEE-zoo duh fuh-LAR kohm oom psee-KOH-loo-goo) – I need to talk to a psychologist

Há um número de apoio? (ah oom NOO-muh-roo duh uh-POY-oo?) – Is there a support line?

Preciso de ajuda psicológica (pruh-SEE-zoo duh uh-ZHU-duh psee-kuh-LOH-zhee-kuh) – I need psychological help

Important Emergency Vocabulary

Grave (GRAHV) – Serious

Urgente (ur-ZHN-tuh) – Urgent

Extremamente urgente (esh-truh-muh-MEN-tuh ur-ZHN-tuh) – Extremely urgent

Vida em risco (VEE-duh em REE-skoo) – Life at risk

Preciso imediatamente (pruh-SEE-zoo ee-muh-dee-uh-tuh-MEN-tuh) – I need immediately

Está ferido (esh-TAH fuh-REE-doo) – He/she is injured

Ajuda! (uh-ZHU-duh!) – Help!

Fogo! (FOH-goo!) – Fire!

Cuidado! (kwee-DAH-doo!) – Watch out!/Be careful!

Putting It Together

In a medical emergency: “Preciso de uma ambulância! Estou muito doente e tenho muita dor no peito. Estou em Lisbon, perto da Praça do Comércio. Meu nome é…e meu número de telefone é…” (pruh-SEE-zoo duh OO-muh am-boo-LAN-syuh! esh-TOH MOO-ee-too doo-EN-tuh eh TEN-yoo MOO-ee-tuh dor noo PAY-too. esh-TOH em Lisbon, PER-too duh Praça do Comércio. Meh-oo NO-muh eh…eh meh-oo NOO-muh-roo duh tuh-luh-FOH-nuh eh…) – I need an ambulance! I’m very sick and have a lot of chest pain. I’m in Lisbon, near Praça do Comércio. My name is… and my phone number is…

Reporting a theft: “Fui roubado/roubada. Roubaram-me a minha carteira com documentos. Preciso de fazer uma queixa à polícia. Onde é a delegação mais próxima?” (foo-ee roh-BAH-doo/roh-BAH-duh. roh-BAH-rum-muh uh mee-NYUH kar-TAY-ruh kohm duh-koo-MEN-toosh. pruh-SEE-zoo duh fuh-ZER OO-muh KAY-shuh ah puh-LEE-see-uh. ON-duh eh uh duh-luh-guh-SOWN mysh PROK-see-muh?) – I was robbed. They stole my wallet with documents. I need to file a report with the police. Where’s the nearest police station?

Final Thoughts

These are phrases you hope you never need to use, but having them in your mental toolkit provides peace of mind. Most of Portugal is very safe, police and emergency services are professional and helpful, and medical care is excellent.

If you do face an emergency, speak clearly, provide specific information, and don’t hesitate to say “I don’t understand” if you need something repeated. Most emergency personnel understand that people in crisis may speak more slowly or with errors.

Stay safe, stay aware, and enjoy your time in Portugal knowing you’re prepared.

Fique seguro/segura! (Stay safe!)