112 or SNS 24: who to call when you are ill

The two numbers

Call 112 when it is serious

Call 112 in a serious situation or when a life is at risk. 112 is the European emergency number. A medical emergency call is transferred to INEM, the National Institute of Medical Emergency.

The official examples:

• A change in consciousness
• A suspected stroke: a change in speech, face or strength
• Choking, after you have tried to help
• Severe difficulty breathing
• An accident with injured people
• Chest pain
• Heavy bleeding, or bleeding that cannot be controlled
• Serious burns, or burns in sensitive areas

On the call:

1. 01

   Describe the situation and where you are

2. 02

   Answer every question you are asked

3. 03

   Hang up only when you are told to

Call SNS 24 for the rest

SNS 24 is the contact centre of the SNS, the national health service. On 808 24 24 24 it assesses your problem and points you to the right care: self-care, primary health care, an emergency department, INEM or the Poison Information Centre.

The official examples:

• Mild to moderate pain, for example a sore throat or a stomach ache
• A cough that does not go away
• Fever
• Nausea, or vomiting food
• Diarrhoea
• A change in blood pressure, with no other complaints
• A child who keeps crying
• Itching, or changes in the skin

Have these with you when you call:

• Your SNS user number (número de utente)
• Your name
• Your date of birth

Calling for someone else? Stay next to them during the call, with their details at hand.

To check symptoms you can also use the digital triage in the SNS 24 app.

Why the right number matters

The 2 lines work together every day and can transfer calls to each other. Using the wrong one can delay critical responses and take up resources in the wrong way.