Emergency numbers in Tenerife: who to call and when

The number to call in any emergency in Tenerife is 112. It is free from any phone, works without credit or a local SIM, connects you to ambulance, police, fire and rescue services, and the Canary Islands operators can help in English. Save it in your phone before you travel.

For non-urgent matters, such as reporting a theft for your insurance, you can contact the police directly using the numbers below.

Emergency numbers at a glance

Service	Number	Use it for
General emergencies	112	Any emergency: ambulance, police, fire, mountain or sea rescue
National Police (Policía Nacional)	091	Crime in towns and cities, thefts, lost passports reports
Guardia Civil	062	Rural areas, roads and highways, some coastal areas
Local Police (Policía Local)	092	Local issues such as traffic, noise and parking
Fire service (Bomberos)	080	Fire (112 also works)
Maritime Rescue (Salvamento Marítimo)	900 202 202	Emergencies at sea
Gender-based violence helpline	016	Confidential support; does not appear on phone bills

If in doubt, call 112. The operators will send the right service.

When you call 112

Stay calm and be ready to give:

1. What has happened and whether anyone is injured.
2. Where you are: the resort, street, hotel name or a nearby landmark. On a beach or trail, describe what you can see.
3. Your phone number in case the call drops.
4. How many people are involved.

Don’t hang up until the operator tells you to. If you can’t speak safely, stay on the line so the call can be traced.

Many smartphones also let you share your location with emergency services automatically. Turning on location services before you call can help responders find you.

Police in Tenerife

Spain has several police forces, which can be confusing for visitors.

• Policía Nacional (091): handles most crime in urban areas, including thefts and assaults. It also deals with passport and identity matters for foreign nationals.
• Guardia Civil (062): covers rural areas, traffic on main roads and some coastal and port areas.
• Policía Local (092): run by each town council, dealing with traffic, parking, noise and local bylaws. In the resorts they are often the most visible police.

Reporting a crime

If something is stolen, you will need a police report (denuncia) for any insurance claim. You can report at a police station; in some cases you can start a report online or by phone and then sign it in person. Ask your hotel where the nearest station is. Interpreters may be available, but bringing someone who speaks Spanish can help.

Lost or stolen passport

Report the loss to the police first, then contact your country’s embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. Several countries have consulates or honorary consuls in the Canary Islands.

At sea and on the beach

Lifeguards patrol the main beaches. If you see someone in trouble in the water, alert a lifeguard and call 112. Don’t go in after them unless you are trained. Our Tenerife beaches guide explains the beach flag system.

In the mountains

Mountain rescue in Tenerife is coordinated through 112. On Mount Teide, in the Masca gorge or in Anaga, mobile signal can be patchy, so tell someone your route and expected return time. Read our Mount Teide guide before setting out.

Medical help that isn’t an emergency

For minor illness or injury, start with a pharmacy or a medical centre. Our hospitals and pharmacies guide explains public versus private care and how EHIC and GHIC cover works.

Calling 112 if you are deaf or can’t speak

The Canary Islands 112 service has options for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or unable to speak, including text-based contact. If you need this, look up the current arrangements on the Canary Islands government’s 112 website before you travel, as registration may be required in advance.

Other useful numbers to save

• Your hotel or apartment reception.
• Your travel insurer’s 24-hour assistance line.
• Your bank’s card-cancellation number.
• Your embassy or consulate.
• A local taxi company. See Tenerife taxis.

Calling from abroad

If you need to call a Tenerife number from outside Spain, the country code is +34. Spanish numbers have nine digits, and landlines in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province usually begin with 922.

Language

You can speak English when calling 112. For police reports and medical appointments outside the main resorts, a translation app is useful. See do they speak English in Tenerife?.

For general safety advice, including nightlife and sea safety, read is Tenerife safe?.