Emergencies in Funchal

Good to Know

• 112 works free from any phone, including foreign SIMs and no-credit phones, and is the single number to use for police, fire, or medical emergencies in Funchal.
• For non-urgent medical questions, call the SNS 24 health line (808 24 24 24) or use the SNS 24 app instead of tying up the 112 line.
• Some visitors and long-term residents have reported inconsistent English-language support when calling 112; if you struggle to communicate, staying on the line and speaking slowly, or asking a Portuguese-speaking bystander/hotel staff to call on your behalf, can help.
• Save the direct Funchal hospital emergency line and local PSP police number as a backup in your phone in case of network issues with 112.
• Madeira's terrain means levada trails, mountain roads, and coastal areas carry natural hazard risks — ANEPC and IPMA are the go-to official sources for weather and wildfire warnings if you're hiking or renting a car.
• For any life-threatening emergency or major trauma in Funchal, Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça is the main public hospital with a true 24/7 emergency department — dial 112 for an ambulance.
• Non-residents (tourists) can be treated at the public hospital's ER, but you'll need to show valid overseas health insurance or pay out of pocket.
• Public emergency visits classified as 'less urgent' or 'non-urgent' under the Manchester Triage System carry a fee (roughly €20.65, rising to €50 if tests are needed) — bring ID and insurance documents.
• Private hospitals (CUF Madeira, Hospital da Luz Funchal) are comfortable options for non-critical issues, but Hospital da Luz's urgent care only runs 8am–8pm and is closed Sundays, so it's not a substitute for a true trauma ER.