Emergency Greek

Why this guide is worth reading before you need it

Every other guide in Travel Greek covers a situation you'll definitely encounter — you will check into a hotel, you will order a meal. This one is different: with luck, you'll never need most of what's on this page. That's exactly why it belongs in your preparation rather than something to look up in the moment. Under real stress, in an unfamiliar country, searching a phrasebook or a translation app for the right words wastes precious time and adds to the panic. Reading through this once, calmly, before your trip, means the phrases are already sitting in your memory if you ever genuinely need them.

A practical suggestion: save the key numbers and phrases from this page as a note on your phone, accessible even without data or signal, in addition to reading through them now. In a real emergency, having a written reference to glance at removes the burden of recalling everything perfectly under pressure.

The single most important number: 112

Greece, like all European Union countries, uses 112 as the universal emergency number, reachable free of charge from any phone, including without a SIM card or credit, and operators are generally able to assist in English as well as Greek. This single number covers police, fire, and medical emergencies — you don't need to know separate numbers for each service, and 112 operators will route your call appropriately. It's worth memorising this number specifically, since it removes the need to recall or look up any other emergency contact in an urgent moment.

• Βοήθεια! (voíthia!) — Help!
• Καλέστε το 112! (kaléste to ekató dódeka!) — Call 112!
• Είναι επείγον. (íne epígon) — It's urgent.
• Χρειαζόμαστε αστυνομία. (chriazómaste astinomía) — We need the police.
• Χρειαζόμαστε ασθενοφόρο. (chriazómaste asthenofóro) — We need an ambulance.
• Υπάρχει φωτιά! (ipárchi fotiá!) — There's a fire!

Medical emergencies

• Χρειάζομαι γιατρό. (chriázome yatró) — I need a doctor.
• Πονάω πολύ. (ponáo polí) — I'm in a lot of pain.
• Πού πονάει; (pu ponái?) — Where does it hurt? (what you may be asked)
• Πονάει εδώ. (ponái edó) — It hurts here.
• Δεν μπορώ να αναπνεύσω καλά. (den boró na anapnéfso kalá) — I can't breathe well.
• Έχω αλλεργία σε... (écho aleryía se...) — I'm allergic to...
• Παίρνω αυτά τα φάρμακα. (pérno aftá ta fármaka) — I take these medications. (useful when showing a list or packaging)
• Έχω διαβήτη. (écho diavíti) — I have diabetes.
• Είμαι έγκυος. (íme éngios) — I'm pregnant.
• Πού είναι το πλησιέστερο νοσοκομείο; (pu íne to plisiéstero nosokomío?) — Where is the nearest hospital?
• Πού είναι το φαρμακείο; (pu íne to farmakío?) — Where is the pharmacy?

Pharmacies in Greece (marked with a green cross sign, universally recognised across the country) are staffed by trained pharmacists who can often help directly with minor ailments without needing a doctor's visit, and many carry medications over the counter that would require a prescription elsewhere — worth trying first for non-urgent issues before seeking a hospital or clinic.

Describing symptoms

Being able to describe what's wrong, even in simple terms, helps medical staff help you faster.

• Έχω πυρετό. (écho piretó) — I have a fever.
• Έχω πονοκέφαλο. (écho ponokéfalo) — I have a headache.
• Έχω στομαχόπονο. (écho stomachópono) — I have a stomach ache.
• Νιώθω ζαλάδα. (niótho zaláda) — I feel dizzy.
• Έκανα εμετό. (ékana emetó) — I vomited.
• Νομίζω ότι έσπασα κάτι. (nomízo óti éspasa káti) — I think I broke something.
• Με τσίμπησε κάτι. (me tsímbise káti) — Something bit / stung me.
• Έπεσα και χτύπησα το κεφάλι μου. (épesa ke chtýpisa to kefáli mu) — I fell and hit my head.

Lost or stolen documents and belongings

• Έχασα το διαβατήριό μου. (échasa to diavatírió mu) — I lost my passport.
• Μου έκλεψαν την τσάντα. (mu éklepsan tin tsánda) — My bag was stolen.
• Μου έκλεψαν το πορτοφόλι. (mu éklepsan to portofóli) — My wallet was stolen.
• Θέλω να αναφέρω μια κλοπή. (thélo na anaféro mia klopí) — I want to report a theft.
• Χρειάζομαι μια αναφορά για την ασφάλειά μου. (chriázome mia anaforá ya tin asfáliá mu) — I need a report for my insurance.
• Πού είναι το πλησιέστερο αστυνομικό τμήμα; (pu íne to plisiéstero astinomikó tmíma?) — Where is the nearest police station?
• Χρειάζομαι νέο διαβατήριο. Πού είναι η πρεσβεία; (chriázome néo diavatírio. pu íne i presvía?) — I need a new passport. Where is the embassy?

If your passport is lost or stolen, contacting your country's embassy or consulate should be a priority alongside filing a police report — most embassies in Athens are used to handling exactly this situation for travellers and can issue emergency travel documents relatively quickly, but the police report is usually required as supporting documentation for both the embassy and any travel insurance claim.

Car and traffic incidents

• Είχαμε ένα ατύχημα. (íchame éna atíchima) — We had an accident.
• Κανείς δεν τραυματίστηκε. (kanís den travmatístike) — Nobody was injured.
• Κάποιος τραυματίστηκε. (kápios travmatístike) — Someone was injured.
• Το αυτοκίνητο δεν ξεκινάει. (to aftokínito den ksekinái) — The car won't start.
• Έχω μείνει από βενζίνη. (écho míni apó venzíni) — I've run out of petrol.
• Χρειάζομαι οδική βοήθεια. (chriázome odikí voíthia) — I need roadside assistance.
• Έχετε τα στοιχεία της ασφάλειάς σας; (échete ta stichía tis asfáliás sas?) — Do you have your insurance details? (what you may be asked)

Sea and beach safety

Greece's coastline and islands mean water safety is genuinely relevant vocabulary, more so than in many other travel contexts.

• Βοήθεια, πνίγομαι! (voíthia, pnígome!) — Help, I'm drowning!
• Κάποιος χάθηκε στη θάλασσα. (kápios cháthike sti thálasa) — Someone is lost/missing at sea.
• Υπάρχει ναυαγοσώστης; (ipárchi navagosóstis?) — Is there a lifeguard?
• Η θάλασσα είναι επικίνδυνη σήμερα; (i thálasa íne epikíndini símera?) — Is the sea dangerous today?
• Τι σημαίνει η κόκκινη σημαία; (ti siméni i kókini simía?) — What does the red flag mean?

Flag warning systems on organised Greek beaches typically follow the international convention — green for safe swimming, yellow for caution, and red meaning swimming is prohibited due to dangerous conditions — worth knowing on sight even without needing the vocabulary to discuss it.

Weather emergencies

Greece experiences occasional extreme heat, and in some regions and seasons, wildfire risk — both worth being prepared for, particularly in summer.

• Υπάρχει προειδοποίηση για καύσωνα. (ipárchi proidopíisi ya kávsona) — There's a heatwave warning.
• Νιώθω αφυδατωμένος/αφυδατωμένη. (niótho afidatoménos/afidatoméni) — I feel dehydrated.
• Βλέπω καπνό / φωτιά στο βουνό. (vlépo kapnó / fotiá sto vunó) — I see smoke / fire on the mountain.
• Πρέπει να εκκενώσουμε; (prépi na ekkenósume?) — Do we need to evacuate?

During periods of extreme heat, local authorities frequently issue public guidance in Greek media about staying indoors during peak afternoon hours — worth paying attention to local news or asking your accommodation directly if you're travelling during the height of summer.

Explaining a language barrier during a real emergency

If your Greek isn't sufficient for the situation, it's important to be able to say so clearly and quickly rather than struggling silently.

• Δεν μιλάω καλά ελληνικά. Χρειάζομαι διερμηνέα. (den miláo kalá eliniká. chriázome diermináa) — I don't speak Greek well. I need an interpreter.
• Μπορεί κάποιος να μιλήσει αγγλικά; (borí kápios na milísi angliká?) — Can someone speak English?
• Παρακαλώ, καλέστε την πρεσβεία μου. (parakaló, kaléste tin presvía mu) — Please call my embassy.

Emergency service operators in Greece, particularly through the 112 system, are generally equipped to handle calls in multiple languages or to connect you with interpretation support — don't hesitate to call even if you're not confident in your Greek, since getting help started is more important than doing it in perfect Greek.

Understanding the Greek healthcare system as a visitor

Greece has both public hospitals (δημόσιο νοσοκομείο, dimósio nosokomío) and private clinics (ιδιωτική κλινική, idiotikí klinikí). EU citizens with a valid European Health Insurance Card can generally access public healthcare on similar terms to Greek nationals, while non-EU visitors and anyone without an EHIC will typically need to pay upfront and claim through travel insurance afterward, particularly at private clinics, which are often faster and more comfortable but considerably more expensive without coverage. Knowing which category you fall into before you travel, and carrying the relevant documentation (an EHIC card, or your travel insurance policy details), saves real time and stress if you do need care.

• Έχω ευρωπαϊκή κάρτα ασφάλισης. (écho evropaïkí kárta asfálisis) — I have a European Health Insurance Card.
• Έχω ταξιδιωτική ασφάλεια. (écho taksidiotikí asfália) — I have travel insurance.
• Θα πληρώσω και θα διεκδικήσω επιστροφή αργότερα. (tha pliróso ke tha diekdikíso epistrofí argótera) — I'll pay and claim reimbursement later.
• Χρειάζομαι απόδειξη για την ασφάλειά μου. (chriázome apódiksi ya tin asfáliá mu) — I need a receipt for my insurance.
• Ποιο νοσοκομείο δέχεται τη δική μου ασφάλεια; (pio nosokomío déchete ti dikí mu asfália?) — Which hospital accepts my insurance?

Earthquake preparedness

Greece is a seismically active country, and while most visitors will never experience anything beyond a very minor, barely noticeable tremor, it's genuinely worth knowing the basics, particularly if you're staying for an extended period or travelling to regions with higher seismic activity.

• Σεισμός! (seismós!) — Earthquake!
• Μείνετε ήρεμοι. (mínete írremi) — Stay calm.
• Απομακρυνθείτε από τα παράθυρα. (apomakrinthíte apó ta paráthira) — Move away from the windows.
• Βγείτε έξω αν είναι ασφαλές. (vgíte ékso an íne asfalés) — Go outside if it's safe.
• Υπήρξαν μετασεισμοί; (ipírksan metaseismí?) — Were there aftershocks?

Standard international earthquake safety guidance applies in Greece as elsewhere — during shaking, the general advice is to drop, cover, and hold on rather than immediately attempting to run outside, since falling debris near doorways and stairwells is often a greater risk than staying under sturdy furniture indoors. This is guidance worth knowing regardless of language ability, but having the vocabulary above means you can follow local instructions or a host's guidance if a real event occurs during your stay.

Legal trouble and disputes

Less common than a medical issue or a lost passport, but worth a small vocabulary set regardless — situations involving a dispute, a fine, or needing legal assistance.

• Δεν καταλαβαίνω γιατί με σταματήσατε. (den katalavéno yatí me stamatísate) — I don't understand why you stopped me.
• Θέλω να μιλήσω με δικηγόρο. (thélo na milíso me dikigóro) — I want to speak with a lawyer.
• Θέλω να επικοινωνήσω με την πρεσβεία μου. (thélo na epikinonísō me tin presvía mu) — I want to contact my embassy.
• Μπορώ να έχω αυτό γραπτώς; (boró na écho aftó graptós?) — Can I have this in writing?
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω τι υπογράφω. (den katalavéno ti ipográfo) — I don't understand what I'm signing.

That last phrase is worth remembering specifically — never sign a document you don't understand, in any country, regardless of pressure to do so quickly; asking for time, a translation, or an interpreter is always a reasonable request, even if it causes a short delay.

If someone in your group goes missing

Losing track of a travel companion, particularly a child, in a crowded area is one of the most frightening situations a traveller can face, and having phrases ready in advance removes precious seconds of hesitation in a moment when they matter most.

• Έχασα το παιδί μου. (échasa to pedí mu) — I've lost my child.
• Λέγεται... (léyete...) — His/her name is...
• Φοράει... (forái...) — He/she is wearing...
• Ήταν εδώ πριν από λίγα λεπτά. (ítan edó prin apó líga leptá) — He/she was here a few minutes ago.
• Μπορείτε να κάνετε ανακοίνωση; (borite na kánete anakínosi?) — Can you make an announcement?

Most large venues in Greece — malls, major museums, large beaches with organised facilities — have a system for handling exactly this situation, including public address announcements, and staff are generally well practised at responding quickly and calmly to it.

Emotional support during a difficult travel experience

Beyond the purely practical, it's worth acknowledging that dealing with a genuine emergency far from home — an accident, a serious illness, a frightening incident — is emotionally difficult regardless of how well prepared you are practically. If you find yourself needing support beyond the immediate practical situation, most embassies and consulates can also direct travellers to local mental health resources or crisis support, and this is a completely legitimate reason to contact them, not only for passport or legal issues. There's no shame in needing support during or after a frightening experience abroad, and reaching out for it — to your embassy, your travel insurance provider's assistance line, or a trusted person back home — is itself a reasonable and sensible part of handling the situation well.

A short pre-trip emergency checklist

• Save 112 in your phone, and know that it works without a SIM card or credit.
• Write down (on paper, not only digitally) your embassy's address and phone number in the city or region you're visiting.
• Keep a photo of your passport's information page stored separately from the passport itself, ideally both on your phone and emailed to yourself.
• Know the address of your accommodation in Greek script, not just the Latin-alphabet version, since this can help you communicate your location faster to a taxi driver or emergency responder.
• If you take regular medication, carry a note (in Greek if possible) listing what it is and why, in case you need care while unable to explain clearly yourself.

Where to go next

Hopefully this is the one Travel Greek guide you never actually need to use in the moment. If you haven't already, it's worth rounding out your preparation with Greek Travel Phrases for everyday situations, Airport Greek, Hotel Greek, and Restaurant Greek for the parts of the trip you'll definitely encounter. And if this trip turns into a longer-term interest in the language, Learn Greek is the place to build real fluency beyond the phrasebook level.