In Sardinia and throughout Italy, call 112 for a serious emergency. It is the free, 24-hour European emergency number for urgent medical help, police, firefighters and maritime rescue. Visitors who speak English can request language assistance: Sardinia's emergency system provides multilingual interpretation. The first dispatcher may not personally speak fluent English, so say which language you need and remain on the line.
What number should I call in an emergency in Sardinia?
Dial 112, without an international prefix. This works in Alghero, Olbia, Cagliari, small inland villages and elsewhere across Sardinia wherever an emergency call can connect. The Sardinian regional government confirms that 112 handles urgent medical, police, fire and sea-rescue requests. The number is free from fixed and mobile phones and operates day and night.
Do 112 operators speak English?
English-speaking travelers can request assistance. Sardinia's emergency call center uses a multilingual interpretation system to manage calls from foreign-language speakers. This does not mean every first-answer operator personally speaks English or that interpretation begins without a brief handover. Say “English, please”, identify the emergency and stay connected. The region's official explanation confirms the interpretation capability.
What happens when I call 112?
The first emergency operator gathers essential details, identifies or checks your location and routes the call to the appropriate response service. Depending on the situation, this can be medical emergency services, police, Carabinieri, firefighters or the Coast Guard. You may be connected to another specialist dispatcher and asked to repeat or clarify information. Follow instructions carefully and do not hang up until told to do so.
What should I say first?
Start with your location, what happened and whether anyone is in immediate danger. For example: “English, please. We are near [beach or village name], in the municipality of [name]. A person is unconscious. We are beside the main parking entrance.” If you do not know the address, give a road number, kilometer marker, beach access point, GPS coordinates or recognizable landmark. Tell the dispatcher your callback number, how many people need help and whether there are hazards such as fire, traffic or rough seas.
Does 112 work with a US mobile phone?
112 is an emergency short code recognized across European mobile networks. Official Italian guidance states that emergency calls can be made without phone credit or even without a SIM card, provided a compatible network is reachable. This does not mean a phone can call from an area with absolutely no usable mobile signal. A US phone should support the local network technology and be capable of placing an emergency call. If you have no connection, move toward a safer location with coverage if possible, or ask another person to call.
Does 112 work without mobile data or Wi-Fi?
A normal emergency telephone call does not require an active mobile data plan, an app or Wi-Fi. The call still needs a reachable phone network. Do not depend on a messaging app as a substitute for a voice emergency call. If a phone is damaged, out of battery or out of coverage, use another person's phone or seek assistance nearby.
Can emergency services find my location automatically?
Emergency systems can receive network-based location information, and supported technologies or apps may provide more precise coordinates. But automated location is not always exact, especially near cliffs, remote trails or isolated coves. The region's 112 service guidance explains that cellular positioning may be approximate and that the Where ARE U app can send GPS-derived coordinates. Always describe your location verbally when you can.
Should I install the Where ARE U app?
The official Where ARE U emergency app is supported by the Sardinian 112 system and can help transmit your location when placing a call. Install and set it up before a trip if it is compatible with your phone, and follow the official instructions. It is not a guarantee of rescue without network connectivity, battery power or a functioning device. Calling 112 directly remains the essential option.
Can I call 112 from a remote beach or hiking trail?
Yes, if a phone network is reachable. Remote coastal paths, valleys and mountain areas may have gaps in reception. Before hiking or visiting an isolated beach, tell someone your route and expected return time, download offline maps and note the nearest road access. If someone is injured, do not put yourself at further risk trying to reach a signal. If safe, have another person move to a covered area and call for help, giving coordinates and the nearest practical access point.
What if the emergency is at sea?
Call 112 and explain that it is a maritime emergency. Italy's Coast Guard emergency number 1530 also remains active; the regional emergency system says these calls are routed through the integrated 112 response process. Provide your vessel type, approximate position, number of people aboard, nature of the problem and whether anyone is in the water. Use marine radio distress procedures when equipped and trained; do not assume cellular coverage offshore.
What if I need an ambulance?
Call 112 for serious symptoms or injury, including unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulty, suspected stroke, major bleeding or other immediate threats. The medical emergency number 118 remains in use, but 112 is the easiest single number for visitors to remember. Dispatchers decide which service and response resources are appropriate. Do not drive a critically ill person yourself unless emergency professionals instruct you to do so.
What about fire, road accidents or a crime?
112 can route requests involving a wildfire, building fire, serious road collision, assault, theft in progress or other urgent public-safety danger. Get yourself to a safe place first, then give the precise location and what is happening. For a wildfire, report smoke or flames promptly without approaching the area. For a collision, do not stand in active traffic while calling.
What is 116117 and when should I use it?
116117 is for non-urgent medical assistance, not emergencies. The Italian Ministry of Health's guidance updated October 13, 2026 lists Sardinia among the regions where the number is active. It is free and offers assistance in Italian and English. It can help direct callers toward appropriate low-urgency medical care, subject to the regional service arrangements. Do not use it for life-threatening symptoms, and do not assume it works on a locked phone the way 112 does.
Will calling 112 cost money?
The emergency call itself is free. That does not establish that every subsequent healthcare service, hospital treatment, transport or follow-up care will be free for every foreign visitor. Healthcare charges depend on residency, coverage, circumstances and applicable rules. Keep your travel insurance information accessible, but never delay an emergency call while looking for insurance documents.
Can deaf or speech-impaired travelers use the service?
Sardinia's 112 service provides accessibility arrangements, including support through the Where ARE U app. Travelers should review current app accessibility features and registration requirements before departure. In an immediate emergency, use the accessible communication method available to you and seek help from someone nearby if necessary.
Useful Italian emergency phrases
“Aiuto!” — Help! “Ho bisogno di un'ambulanza.” — I need an ambulance. “C'è stato un incidente.” — There has been an accident. “C'è un incendio.” — There is a fire. “Siamo a [località].” — We are at [location]. “Parlo inglese. Serve un interprete.” — I speak English. An interpreter is needed. “Una persona non respira.” — A person is not breathing.
Before exploring Sardinia: emergency checklist
- Save 112 in your phone and tell your travel companions what it is for.
- Consider setting up the official Where ARE U app while you have connectivity.
- Download offline maps and save the addresses of your accommodation and planned destinations.
- Know the nearest road, beach access or trail landmark to describe your location.
- Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank for long excursions.
- For non-urgent medical needs, note 116117; for serious emergencies, call 112 immediately.
The WikiSardinia takeaway
112 is the universal emergency number for Sardinia and Italy, free and available 24/7. English-speaking tourists can request multilingual interpretation. Tell the operator where you are, what happened and what help is needed. For non-urgent medical assistance, 116117 is also active in Sardinia, but it is never a substitute for 112 when someone's safety or life is at risk.
