# Emergency Abroad: What to Do and Who to Call URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/travel-guides/emergency-abroad-what-to-do Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Emergency abroad? Who to call first, local emergency numbers, what the US embassy can and can’t do, and how to handle medical crises, theft and disasters. **Quick answer:** In an emergency abroad, call local emergency services first; 911 doesn’t work in most countries, so save the local number before you go, such as 112 across the EU. Then call your travel insurer’s assistance line and, for serious problems, the nearest US embassy or consulate. From overseas, the State Department’s emergency line is +1 202-501-4444. - First call: Local emergency number (112 in the EU) - State Dept. from US or Canada: 1-888-407-4747 - State Dept. from overseas: +1 202-501-4444 - Before you go: Enroll in STEP; save insurer’s number ## Who should you call first in an emergency abroad? If someone’s life or safety is at risk, call local emergency services first. Save the number for each country before you travel, and know that your hotel front desk, cruise ship or safari camp manager can also summon help quickly. - European Union: 112, which works in every EU country - United Kingdom: 999, or 112 - Japan: 119 for ambulance and fire, 110 for police - Australia: 000 - Canada and Mexico: 911 ## What can the US embassy do for you, and what can’t it? US embassies and consulates can replace a lost or stolen passport, often with an emergency passport for urgent travel, help you find local doctors, hospitals and lawyers, contact family on your behalf, and visit you if you’re arrested. In crises, they share safety information and coordinate departure options. They can’t pay medical or hotel bills, act as your lawyer, get you released from jail or override local law. If you can’t reach the local embassy, the State Department’s emergency line is 1-888-407-4747 from the US and Canada, or +1 202-501-4444 from overseas. ## What should you do if you’re seriously ill or injured? Get care first, then call your insurer’s assistance line as soon as you can. They can recommend facilities, sometimes guarantee payment and arrange evacuation if needed. Expect many hospitals abroad to ask for payment or a deposit, so carry a credit card with room on it. Keep every bill and medical report for claims. If you’re unsure what your plan covers overseas, read our guide to health insurance abroad before you travel, not during an emergency. ## What if your passport is stolen or you’re the victim of a crime? Report the crime to local police and get a copy of the report for insurance and passport replacement. Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate to replace your passport, cancel any stolen cards and change passwords if devices were taken. Our travel safety tips cover how to replace a lost passport step by step and how to avoid common scams in the first place. ## What should you do during a natural disaster or political unrest? Follow instructions from local authorities, stay where you are if it’s safe, and let family know you’re okay. If you’ve enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, the embassy can send alerts and reach you. Check the State Department travel advisory for the latest guidance. Don’t count on government evacuation flights. The State Department typically provides departure assistance on a reimbursable basis, and commercial flights remain the main way out. Insurance with security evacuation coverage, where available, adds another option. ## How can you prepare before you leave? A few minutes of preparation saves hours in a crisis. Save local emergency numbers and your insurer’s assistance line in your phone, share your itinerary with someone at home, keep a digital copy of your passport, and enroll in STEP. Companies should have a plan for reaching travelers in a crisis; our travel emergency response plan template is a starting point. If you booked with Empyrean, on-trip help with rebooking and changes comes through the Virtuoso and Andavo support network. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Does 911 work in other countries?** A: Only in some. Canada and Mexico use 911, but most countries have their own numbers: 112 across the European Union, 999 or 112 in the UK, 000 in Australia, and 119 for ambulance or 110 for police in Japan. Look up and save the local number for each country on your itinerary before you leave home. **Q: What is the State Department emergency number for US citizens abroad?** A: If you can’t reach the nearest US embassy or consulate, call the State Department’s Overseas Citizens Services at +1 202-501-4444 from overseas, or 1-888-407-4747 from the US and Canada. These lines help US citizens in emergencies such as arrests, serious illness, deaths abroad and crises. Save both numbers in your phone before you travel. **Q: Will the US embassy pay my hospital bill abroad?** A: No. US embassies and consulates can help you find medical care and contact your family, but they can’t pay medical bills. Hospitals abroad often require payment or a deposit before treatment, which is why travel medical insurance with an assistance line matters. Check what your own health plan covers overseas before you travel. **Q: What happens if I’m arrested abroad?** A: You’re subject to local laws, and the US government can’t get you released. Ask the authorities to notify the US embassy or consulate. Consular officers can visit you, provide a list of local attorneys, contact your family and check that you’re treated fairly under local law. They can’t act as your lawyer or pay legal fees. **Q: Should I enroll in STEP before an international trip?** A: Yes. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is free and lets the nearest US embassy send you safety alerts and contact you, or your emergency contact, during a crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest. It takes a few minutes to enroll each trip, and it’s especially worthwhile for destinations with elevated travel advisories. ## Sources - [US Department of State: Travel.State.Gov](https://travel.state.gov/) - [CDC: Health care during travel](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/health-care-during-travel) - [European Commission: 112, the European emergency number](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/112)