What should you know about healthcare and emergencies in Santiago?
Police
133
Ambulance: 131.
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: expat.cl, en.wikipedia.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Chile has no single 911-style number — save 131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police), and 134 (PDI investigative police) individually in your phone before you need them.
- If you're the victim of a crime, you'll need to file a formal police report (a 'denuncia') at a Carabineros station — this is essential for any later insurance claim.
- Public hospitals in Chile are required to treat emergencies regardless of insurance or residency status, but visitors without Chilean insurance or FONASA/ISAPRE coverage will be billed afterward, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
- The official Carabineros app has a special English-language mode for foreign visitors, with one-tap dialing to the emergency lines.
- Carabineros are generally regarded as honest and professional — never offer a bribe under any circumstance.
- Chile does not use the US-style Level I–IV trauma center system; hospitals are instead classified by 'complejidad' (complexity) and by specific referral roles (e.g., national burn/polytrauma referral center).
- Chile's 'Ley de Urgencia' guarantees immediate stabilization at any hospital, public or private, in a life-threatening situation without upfront payment — cost is settled afterward via Fonasa, Isapre, or out-of-pocket.
- Public hospitals (Posta Central, Instituto Traumatológico) are free or low-cost but can involve long waits and crowded conditions; private clinics like Clínica Alemana or Hospital Clínico UC Christus are faster but expect payment or valid insurance for non-critical care.
- If you need orthopedic/trauma-specific care (broken bones, sports injuries) rather than general medical emergency care, the Instituto Traumatológico is a dedicated specialist option in Santiago Centro.
- For life-threatening emergencies anywhere in the city, calling an ambulance (SAMU 131) is generally more reliable than trying to self-transport to a specific hospital.
Primary Numbers
Police (Carabineros)
- Number
- 133
- Notes
- The main line for street crime, road accidents, domestic incidents, or any situation where you feel personally at risk. Used exclusively for genuine emergencies (robberies, assaults, homicides, aggression, traffic accidents affecting personal safety).
Fire Brigade (Bomberos)
- Number
- 132
- Notes
- Bomberos de Chile is a predominantly volunteer organization, one of the oldest and largest of its kind in Latin America, and commands significant public respect. Also handles gas leaks.
Ambulance / Medical Emergency (SAMU)
- Number
- 131
- Notes
- Covers the Región Metropolitana (Santiago). Calls go to a centralized dispatch center that routes the nearest ambulance; patients are taken to the nearest public or private hospital depending on insurance/request.
Investigative Police (PDI)
- Number
- 134
- Notes
- Handles investigative/detective matters rather than immediate emergency response.
Official Safety Apps
Carabineros De Chile (Official App)
- Purpose
- Official police app providing locations of the nearest police stations and hospitals with one-tap calling and directions, quick-dial buttons for all emergency numbers (133, 131, 132, 134, 135, 139, 147, 149), vehicle-theft lookup by license plate, and prevention advice.
- Publisher
- Carabineros de Chile (national police)
- Notes
- Includes a reduced English-language version specifically aimed at foreign visitors, accessible via a UK-flag icon toggle in the app.
SENAPRED Alert
- Purpose
- Sends official alerts for earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, and other natural-disaster emergencies; can also register for SMS notifications directly via senapred.cl.
- Publisher
- SENAPRED (Chile's national disaster prevention and response service)
- Notes
- Most relevant to residents near the coast or in wildfire-prone areas, but earthquake alerts are relevant nationwide including Santiago.
Secondary And Specialty Numbers
Carabineros Non-emergency Information Line
- Number
- 139
Drug Information/prevention Line (Fono Drogas)
- Number
- 135
Andean/mountain Rescue (Cuerpo De Socorro Andino)
- Number
- 136
Maritime/coastal Rescue (Autoridad Marítima)
- Number
- 137
Air Search and Rescue (SAR, FACh)
- Number
- 138
Forest Fires (CONAF)
- Number
- 130
Children's Helpline (Fono Niños)
- Number
- 147
Family/domestic Violence Helpline (Fono Familia)
- Number
- 149
Poison Control Center
- Number
- 600 360 7777
Hospitals
Hospital De Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP) — "Posta Central"
- Type
- Public
- Hours
- 24 hours, every day
- Address
- Av. Portugal 125, Santiago Centro, Región Metropolitana
- Trauma Designation
- Chile does not use a formal US-style Level I-IV trauma system, but HUAP functions as the country's principal adult emergency and trauma referral center. It is officially registered as "Alta Complejidad" (high complexity) and is the national point of derivation for polytrauma and burn patients from across the public health network.
- Notes
- Adults only; pediatric emergencies are routed to other hospitals (e.g., Hospital San Borja Arriarán). As a busy public facility, expect long waits for non-critical cases and a bureaucratic admissions process.
Hospital Clínico UC CHRISTUS
- Type
- Private (university-affiliated teaching hospital)
- Hours
- Urgencia General is staffed year-round for emergencies; posted administrative/ticketing windows for the general emergency desk run roughly 08:00–19:00 Monday–Saturday and 09:00–19:00 Sundays/holidays, with imaging and other support services on separate, more limited daytime schedules
- Address
- Marcoleta 367, Santiago Centro (Metro Universidad Católica); emergency entrance via Monseñor Carlos Casanueva
- Trauma Designation
- High-complexity university general hospital with full surgical, ICU, neurosurgery, cardiovascular and pediatric emergency capability. No formal 'trauma level' rating exists in Chile, but it is considered one of Santiago's top-tier hospitals for complex trauma and critical care.
- Notes
- Triage (ESI-style) system used to prioritize patients by severity rather than arrival order.
Clínica Alemana De Santiago
- Type
- Private
- Hours
- 24 hours (dedicated emergency and ambulance phone lines are staffed around the clock)
- Address
- Av. Vitacura 5951, Vitacura
- Trauma Designation
- Large private high-complexity general hospital widely regarded as one of the best-equipped private emergency departments in Santiago; no official trauma-level classification exists in Chile.
- Notes
- Popular with expats and international-insurance holders; emergency line (56-2) 210-1334, ambulance (56-2) 210-1010.
Instituto Traumatológico Dr. Teodoro Gebauer Weisser
- Type
- Public (specialized orthopedic/trauma hospital)
- Hours
- Emergency unit: 24 hours. Administrative/outpatient offices: Monday–Thursday 08:00–17:00, Friday 08:00–16:00
- Address
- San Martín #771, Santiago Centro
- Trauma Designation
- Chile's dedicated public referral hospital for musculoskeletal trauma and orthopedic surgery — the go-to public facility specifically for fractures, dislocations and severe orthopedic injuries, though it does not treat general medical emergencies.
- Notes
- Not a general ER — best for orthopedic/musculoskeletal trauma specifically rather than cardiac, respiratory or other medical emergencies.
Healthcare
- System Overview
- Chile operates a mixed public-private healthcare system. The public system (FONASA) is funded through mandatory 7% payroll deductions and provides free services for residents with no taxable income. The private system (ISAPRE) offers insurance through private companies with additional coverage available. Santiago has world-class facilities comparable to developed countries.
- Access For Foreigners
- Visitors and expats cannot access FONASA unless they have residency and pay taxes. Emergency care is provided to everyone regardless of coverage and billed afterward. Most expats use private ISAPRE plans or international health insurance.
- Health Insurance Isapre
- Private insurers charge 7% of income (mandatory) plus additional voluntary top-ups. Plans vary significantly by network and coverage. Shorter waits and modern facilities compared to public system; many English-speaking doctors available.
- Note On Affordability
- Private healthcare is significantly more affordable than US/Europe but more expensive than public system. Generic medications are substantially cheaper than branded alternatives.
Key Facilities
Hospital Universidad Católica
- Type
- Private hospital
- Address
- Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago
Healthcare Costs Private Clinic
- MRI
- CLP 420,000
- Emergency Care
- CLP 8,000
- Laboratory Tests
- CLP 5,000
- Doctor Consultation
- CLP 3,000
- Specialist Consultation
- CLP 5,000
- Description
- Private clinic sample out-of-pocket costs without insurance
Memory Aid
A common trick to remember the three core numbers: A for Ambulancia (131), B for Bomberos/fire (132), C for Carabineros/police (133) — the 'ABC 123' pattern.
Universal Emergency Number
Chile does not use a single unified emergency number like 911. Instead it assigns a distinct three-digit number to each emergency service, all toll-free, reachable 24/7 from any landline or mobile without an area code.
How To Reach English Speakers
Emergency call handlers work primarily in Spanish; English support is limited, so it helps to know a few basic Spanish emergency phrases or use a translation app while on the line.
Pharmacies
- Warnings
- Chain pharmacies (Cruz Verde, Ahumada, Salcobrand) have historically faced price-fixing scandals. Staff incentivized on sales commissions, may not proactively suggest cheaper generics. Flea market (feria) products may have lower quality compliance standards.
- Pricing Structure
- Significant price variation (up to 6,000 CLP difference) between chains and pharmacies for identical medications. Brand-name medicines substantially more expensive than generics.
- Generic Medications
- Cost approximately 70% less than brand-name equivalents. Always ask for generic alternative ('¿tiene genérico?'). Generic price range approximately USD$1.30/unit vs. USD$14.10 for original branded medicines.
- Prescription System
- Stronger medications (antibiotics, controlled substances) require doctor prescriptions; a national electronic prescribing system has been operational since 2025. Approximately 300 OTC drugs available without prescription.
- Availability Quality
- Pharmacies (farmacias) are plentiful and well-regulated with generous hours. Multiple 24-hour pharmacies operate in central Santiago. Staff at larger outlets often speak English.
- Identifying Pharmacies
- Identified by green cross symbol throughout the city.
- Prescription Notes
- Prescriptions are hand-written or electronic; OTC medicines only sold through pharmacies, not supermarket shelves. Staff dispenses medications rather than customer self-selection.
Cost Saving Options
- Independent pharmacies often offer better prices than chain oligopoly
- Municipal 'farmacias populares' (community pharmacies) offer drugs 50-70% below chain prices; require proof of local residency
- Alternative: purchase from natural products shops for some items at significantly lower costs
Major Pharmacy Chains
- Cruz Verde (largest by market share)
- Salcobrand
- Ahumada
- Dr. Simi (budget alternative)
Medication Cost Examples
- Aspirin OTC
- CLP 2,900
- Diabetes Medication Monthly
- CLP 37,500
- Blood Pressure Medication Monthly
- CLP 16,500
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this emergencies research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Santiago
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.