Emergencies in Montevideo

Good to Know

• Save 911 in your phone before you need it — it covers police, fire, and ambulance in one number, and English-speaking operator availability can vary, so having a translation app handy helps.
• If you're hospitalized or need a private ambulance quickly, Montevideo's mutual-aid/private ambulance networks (SUAT 133, UCM 147, SEMM 159) are commonly used in parallel with 911 and can dispatch fast if you or your accommodation has a membership or one-off service arrangement.
• A common scam involves people posing as police officers asking to inspect your wallet or documents — always ask for official ID and never hand over your wallet; you can insist on going to the nearest real police station.
• If you're a U.S. citizen, enrolling in STEP before or during your trip means the embassy can push you security alerts (e.g., for planned protests or football-related disturbances) directly.
• Uruguay does not use a U.S.-style Level I–IV trauma center certification system — hospitals are simply categorized as public (ASSE-run) or private (mutualista/sanatorio), and none of them formally advertise a 'trauma level.'
• Hospital Británico and Hospital de Clínicas are generally considered the most capable facilities in central Montevideo for serious trauma or high-complexity emergencies.
• Public hospitals like Hospital de Clínicas provide free or low-cost emergency care but can have longer waits than private options; private hospitals will bill non-members directly unless you have a mutualista or travel insurance arrangement.
• For ambulance dispatch, private emergency response services (SUAT, UCM, Cosem) are common in Montevideo and usually require an active subscription or a per-incident payment arranged in advance if you're not a member.
• If you're uninsured and need emergency transport, calling 911 (police/general emergencies) can help coordinate a public ambulance response.