Emergencies in Florence

Good to Know

• 112 is the single number to remember in Florence — it's free, works with no SIM or credit, and the operator will route you to police, fire, or medical services as needed.
• If you already know you need an ambulance, dialing 118 directly can sometimes be faster than going through 112, though both work.
• For a theft or crime report in Florence, you'll generally need to visit a police station in person afterward to file an official denuncia (report), which is often required for insurance claims.
• Save 112 and 118 in your phone before you need them — English-speaking operators are common in Florence given the volume of tourists, but don't assume perfect fluency; state clearly 'I need English' if there's a language barrier.
• Careggi is the hospital to go to (or be taken to) for serious trauma, major accidents, or complex emergencies — it's Tuscany's designated Trauma Center with the widest range of on-site specialists.
• Santa Maria Nuova is the most central public ER, a short walk from the Duomo, and is the practical choice for urgent-but-not-life-threatening issues if you're staying in the historic center.
• Both Careggi and San Giovanni di Dio are outside the historic center (roughly 15–20+ minutes by tram, bus, or car from the Duomo) — in a true emergency call an ambulance rather than trying to get there yourself.
• For emergencies, call 112 (the EU-wide emergency number, also routes to 118 medical/ambulance dispatch in Italy).
• EU citizens with a valid EHIC/GHIC card can access emergency care under the Italian public system at reduced or no cost for genuine emergencies; non-EU visitors may be asked to pay a ticket fee for less urgent cases, so travel insurance is strongly advised.