Costa del Sol Emergency Numbers & Safety Guide for Expats (2026)

112 is the emergency number

Someone hurt or in danger, a fire, a crime happening right now, a road accident with anyone hurt: call 112. It is free from any phone, even one with no credit and no SIM, and the Andalusian centre answers in English. Say where you are first, then what happened. One number brings the police, the ambulance and the firefighters. Everything below is for the calls that are not that.

Life in Costa del Sol is usually about sunshine, beach walks, and long lunches. But sometimes you will need to deal with something urgent, whether it is a medical issue, a break in, a car accident, or simply reporting something. Knowing exactly who to call and how things work here will make those moments much easier to handle.

This guide covers the key numbers, services, and locations of police and Healthcare facilities in Costa del Sol from Málaga to Estepona, including Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Casares, and Sotogrande.

Click here to learn more about crime statistics in Costa del Sol.

Your town's own page. Every town on the coast has its own page on our emergency numbers tool: the local police, the health centre, the pharmacy that never closes, and a sheet to print for your door. Sotogrande and San Roque, Manilva, Casares, Estepona, Benahavís, Marbella and San Pedro, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Málaga, Rincón de la Victoria, Torre del Mar and Nerja.
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The Main Emergency Number

Spain uses the European emergency number 112. This works for police, ambulance, and fire services and is free to call from any phone, including mobiles without credit. Operators in Andalucía can usually speak Spanish and English, and sometimes other languages depending on who is on shift.

If you are in Andalucía and you want to be certain you reach the regional operators, use 112 Andalucía. It is the same number but the call is handled locally which can sometimes mean faster response and better local knowledge. Check out our Costa del Sol safety guide for even more tips and tricks for staying safe in Spain.

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Other Useful Numbers in Marbella and Surrounding Areas

Here are the most important numbers to keep handy. These can vary slightly from town to town, so if you live outside Marbella check your local council’s website for their specific list. It’s also important to know all available methods of Transport during emergencies in Costa del Sol.

Every number here was checked on 21 September 2026 against the town halls', the police's and the hospitals' own pages.

Everywhere on the coast
• Health emergency: 061, the same people as 112
• Policia Local: 092. Policia Nacional: 091. Guardia Civil: 062
• Health centre after hours (urgencias), Málaga province from Manilva to Nerja: 951 031 437. On the Sotogrande side, in Cádiz: 956 012 007
• Salud Responde, the health service's own line, which tells you the nearest open health centre or pharmacy, day or night: 955 545 060
• A denuncia by phone, in English, for a theft or a loss with nobody hurt: 902 102 112
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Marbella and San Pedro de Alcántara

• Policia Local: 092 or 952 899 900
• Policia Nacional: 091. The station is at Av. Arias de Velasco 25
• Guardia Civil: 062 or 952 770 344
• Fire Brigade: 080 or 112
• Public Ambulance Urgencias: 061
• Health centre after hours (urgencias): 951 031 437
• Protección Civil: 952 775 195
• Hospital Costa del Sol Public: 951 976 669
• Hospital Quirón Marbella Private: 952 774 200
• HC Marbella Private, the hospital that used to be Ceram: 952 908 628
• Pharmacies open all night: Farmacia Internacional in San Pedro 952 780 708, Farmacia Universal on the Golden Mile 952 867 536, Farmacia Berdaguer 952 773 187 and Farmacia Mingorance 952 775 773 on Av. Ricardo Soriano, Farmacia Artola by Cabopino 952 832 589
• Marbella and San Pedro on the tool
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Estepona

• Policia Local: 092 or 952 808 040
• Guardia Civil: 062 or 952 801 093
• Health centre after hours (urgencias), shared with the public hospital: 951 031 437
• Hospital Hospiten Estepona Private: 952 760 600
• Pharmacy open all night: Farmacia Huerta Nueva, Plaza de la Conciliación, 952 800 576, open all night since 1 January 2026
• Estepona on the tool
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Mijas and Fuengirola

• Policia Local Mijas: 092 or 952 460 808, the 24-hour line
• Policia Local Fuengirola: 092 or 952 580 900
• Health centre after hours (urgencias): 951 031 437
• Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella serves these areas for major emergencies
• Pharmacy open all night: Farmacia Central, Av. de Los Boliches 74, Fuengirola, 952 474 238
• Mijas on the tool, Fuengirola on the tool
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Benalmádena and Torremolinos

• Policia Local Benalmádena: 092 or 952 579 849
• Policia Local Torremolinos: 092 or 952 381 422
• Policia Nacional for both towns: 091 or 952 378 720, C/ Skal 12, Torremolinos
• Health centre after hours (urgencias): 951 031 437
• Hospital Vithas Xanit Benalmádena Private: 952 367 190
• Pharmacy open all night: Farmacia Los Manantiales, Av. de los Manantiales 28, Torremolinos, 952 383 516
• Benalmádena on the tool, Torremolinos on the tool
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Casares and Sotogrande

• Guardia Civil Casares: 062, or the nearest post, in Manilva: 952 890 055
• Policia Local San Roque for Sotogrande: 092 or 956 780 256
• Health centre after hours (urgencias): 951 031 437 on the Casares side, 956 012 007 on the Sotogrande side
• Hospital Quirón Campo de Gibraltar Private: 956 798 300, urgencias 956 798 310
• Casares on the tool, Sotogrande and San Roque on the tool
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Keep them where you can find them. Print the sheet for your door: pick your town on the tool and it fills in your numbers. Put the six numbers in your phone in one tap.
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Understanding the Police in Spain

There are three main police forces and knowing which one to contact can save you time.

• Policia Local manages traffic issues, local crime, lost property, and minor incidents within their town or city limits
• Policia Nacional handles serious crime, passports, immigration issues, and larger scale investigations
• Guardia Civil covers rural areas, highways, border control, and also works on more serious crime
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Ambulance Services

Public ambulances 061 are free in emergencies and will take you to the nearest public hospital. If you have private health insurance, you can call your provider’s emergency number and request a private ambulance to take you directly to a private hospital.

Many locals also subscribe to private emergency medical services such as Helicópteros Sanitarios, which offers home visits, private ambulance transfers, and even air ambulance in serious cases. Make sure you check out our guide on the Cost of emergency services in Spain.

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Hospitals and How They Work

Public hospitals are free for residents with a valid Spanish social security number or European Health Insurance Card. Non residents may be billed, although emergency life saving care will never be refused.

Private hospitals offer faster access and more comfort but require private insurance or payment upfront. Prices vary widely depending on treatment.

Notable hospitals include:

• Hospital Costa del Sol Marbella public
• Quirón Marbella private
• Hospiten Estepona private
• Vithas Xanit Benalmádena private
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Protección Civil

Protección Civil is a volunteer organisation that supports emergency services during events, natural disasters, and large public gatherings. They can provide first aid, coordinate evacuations, and assist in rescue operations. I volunteer at the Estepona division, you might run into me one day.
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Private Security Companies

Many gated communities and villas in Costa del Sol hire private security companies such as Securitas Direct, Prosegur, or Sector Alarm. These services include alarm monitoring, patrols, and rapid response teams. They are especially useful in remote areas or for second homes.
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Tips for Emergencies in Costa del Sol

• Save the key numbers for your area in your phone and also keep them written somewhere visible at home
• Learn the difference between the police forces so you call the right one
• If you do not speak Spanish, start with 112 and ask for an English speaking operator
• Keep your address in Spanish written down near the phone for quick reference
• If you live in a gated community, make sure security can access your property in an emergency
• In medical situations, have your insurance details ready to avoid delays

Click here to learn more about Beach Safety Flags and Warnings.

Knowing how the emergency system works here is one of those things you hope you never need but are grateful for when you do. Whether you are in Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, or anywhere along this coastline, a little preparation goes a long way.

Related Articles:

• Healthcare in Costa del Sol
• Costa del Sol safety guide
• Transport during emergencies in Costa del Sol
• Cost of emergency services in Spain
• Emergency numbers, town by town