Totally Rome
Emergency numbers and essential contacts for Rome
The numbers worth saving before you land, and how Italy's emergency system works.
The universal emergency number
112 is the single number to call for any emergency in Italy — police, medical, or fire — and routes automatically to the appropriate service, replacing the need to remember separate numbers. It works from any phone, including without a SIM card or credit, and operators typically speak some English in major cities.
Specific services
113 (State Police), 118 (Medical emergency/ambulance), 115 (Fire brigade) still exist as direct lines, but 112 is the recommended default for visitors and connects you to the correct service regardless.
Your embassy or consulate
Save your home country's embassy or consulate contact details before travelling — relevant for lost passports, serious legal issues, or emergencies requiring consular assistance. Most embassies are located in Rome given its status as the capital.
Practical numbers**
Your accommodation's direct number, a local taxi company (Radio Taxi 06 3570 is a long-established option), and your travel insurance's emergency assistance line are worth having saved and easily accessible, ideally written down as a backup in case your phone is lost or its battery dies.
