Emergencies in Ios

Good to Know

• 112 is the single number guaranteed to work from any phone on any network in Greece, including foreign mobile phones — if in doubt, use 112 rather than a local three-digit number.
• Ios does not appear to have a separate, dedicated Tourist Police office; the general local police station in Chora (+30 22860 91222) is the practical contact point for tourists needing police assistance.
• Ios has a small Health Center rather than a full hospital, so serious medical emergencies are often stabilized locally and then transferred by boat or helicopter to a larger hospital (typically in Athens or a bigger regional facility) — worth having travel insurance that covers medevac.
• If you're on or near the water (ferries, boat trips, beaches), VHF Channel 16 is the most reliable way to reach the Coast Guard in a maritime emergency, especially if mobile signal is weak.
• Because Ios is a small island, response times for non-critical issues can be slower than in Athens — locals, hotel staff, or the port authority can often help mobilize assistance faster than waiting on hold.
• Ios has no full hospital on the island — only a public Health Center that handles routine care and first-response emergencies. Anything requiring surgery, ICU, or advanced trauma care means transfer to Athens or another island by boat or air ambulance, which can take hours depending on weather and ferry schedules.
• Given Ios's reputation as a nightlife-heavy party island, alcohol-related injuries and accidents (motorbike/quad crashes, falls) are a recurring reason visitors end up needing care — comprehensive travel/medical insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly advised.
• EU citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or GHIC for access to public care; non-EU visitors should confirm their travel insurance covers off-island medevac, since this is a real possibility on a small island like Ios.
• A private GP (Dr. Ioannis Kalathas has historically been mentioned by visitors) has also been available in Ios Town for non-emergency consultations, which can sometimes be faster than the Health Center for minor issues.