Emergency and Emergency Card while on Madeira?
Emergency while on Madeira?
Emergencies in general are scary. No one will disagree with that statement. Nevertheless, emergencies are daunting if they happen away from home. Even more so if you do not speak the local language.
Madeira Island is one of the safest places in the European Union and in the world in general. However, it is important that you are prepared for this eventuality. Knowing that you planned for it, takes a whole load off your shoulders.
Emergency Telephone Numbers – Madeira
Portugal wide including Madeira
| EMERGENCY SERVICES | |
| Medical emergency (Ambulancia) | 112 |
| Police (policia) including Local Police (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) Security Police (Policia Seguranca Publica, PSP) | 112 |
| Fire Rescue | 112 |
Madeira Specific
| EMERGENCY SERVICES | |
| SANAS – Socorro no Mar – Emergency at Sea | 291 230 112 |
| Via Litoral – Emergency Road Service (Via Rápida VR1 from Caniçal to Ribeira Brava) | 800 290 290 |
| Via Expresso – Emergency Road Service (São Vicente, Porto Moniz, Santana, Calheta) VE1-4 | 800 20 30 40 |
| All Madeira numbers are here | Here |
Hospitals and Clinics on Madeira
| Public Health Centers | |
| Madeira Main Hospital in Funchal | 291 705 600 |
| Nazaré – Funchal | 291 764 700 |
| Bom Jesus – Funchal | 291 208 700 |
| São Roque – Funchal | 291 705 410 |
| Monte – Funchal | 291 784 880 |
| Santo Antonio – Funchal | 291 708 380 |
| Câmara de Lobos | 291 910 380 |
| Estreito de Câmara de Lobos | 291 910 230 |
| Ribeira Brava | 291 950 200 |
| Porto Moniz | 291 850 170 |
| São Vicente | 291 840 060 |
| Calheta | 291 822 244 |
| Santa Cruz | 291 524 826 |
| Machico | 291 969 130 |
| Santana | 291 570 300 |
| Porto Santo | 291 980 060 |
| Private Health Centers | |
| Madeira Medical Center – Private 24/24 Hospital | 291 003 300 |
| Monumental Lido Medical Center | 291 771 020 |
| Ajuda Medical Center | 291 773 948 |
Portuguese Emergency Phrases / Words
While on Madeira many people speak a foreign language, there are others who do not. So it is good to have these translations handy – just in case.
| English | Portuguese |
| I have had an accident. | Eu teve um acidente. |
| This is an emergency. | Temos uma emergência. |
| I need an ambulance. | Preciso uma ambulância. |
| I need a doctor. | Preciso um medico. |
| I need the police | Chamar a polícia. |
| Heart attack | Infarct |
| I have had a stroke. | Eu sofrei um aneurisma, ataque apopléctico. |
| He / she has had a stroke | Ele / Ela sofreu um aneurisma, ataque apopléctico. |
| Very sick | Muito doente |
| Unconscious | Inconsciente |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | Onde e o hospital mais próximo? |
| Is there a pharmacy near here? | Há uma farmácia aqui perto? |
| Call the fire services ! | Chamar os bombeiros! |
| I have had a car accident. | Eu teve um acidente de carro. |
| I have been robbed / mugged. | Eu fui vitimo dum assalto! |
| Fire ! | Fogo ! |
| Help ! | Socorro ! |
Should you be looking for additional vocabulary, we have you covered right here.
It is also useful to be able to show the following documents. Firstly, your passport or ID card. Secondly, your E111 (European citizens health card) or equivalent health insurance document. Thirdly, any private health or travel insurance documents you may have. If you do not want to carry them with you at all time, a good idea is to make a photocopy of those documents. Furthermore, we recommend the use of the Emergency Card here below.
Emergency Card
Communication with emergency medical services and authorities is sometimes difficult after an accident, especially if those in need of medical help are tourists who do not speak Portuguese. Hence, to resolve important communication issues, the Safe Communities association implemented the use of the Emergency Medical Card in 2018. This card can be used by both locals and tourists and serves as an additional source of information which might be important to those working in the emergency medical services.
The Emergency ID Card contains the holder’s name, country of origin, emergency contact information. The user can also add health data such as current medication, allergies, illnesses. One can also provide information about the authorities of their country of origin. This information can save precious time.
This informational card (in English and Portuguese) is free of charge. Furthermore, the security forces (Police & GNR) and INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency) recognize it as valid. One can download it from official websites, or simply follow the link here below. Thereafter update it with information they deem important in case of emergency. The Emergency ID Card should be printed and kept in your wallet, as the “Fill-in, cut and keep.” slogan suggests. This means you can keep the card on you at all times. Moreover, the card does not present any data privacy issues.
You can download the card by clicking on this link:
It is important to note that the card does not replace any form of official ID. Hence, it simply provides information that might be important to medical workers and authorities. In case of a problem, this card could give vital information to emergency services if you are unable to communicate.
Disclaimer
While the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice. Ocean Retreat is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Hence this information is solely a guide.
