Moving to a new country brings excitement and daily challenges. As an expat in Turkey you must handle language differences, unfamiliar procedures, and new neighborhoods. Emergencies magnify those challenges. Prepare now so you reduce stress and protect yourself and your family when seconds matter.
Quick reference: essential emergency numbers
Keep a short list of national emergency numbers saved on your phone and printed in your wallet. Store local hospital and embassy contacts too. When you call the right number fast, responders arrive sooner and you secure better outcomes.
- 112 — Ambulance and integrated emergency response
- 155 — Police (urban areas)
- 110 — Fire brigade
- 156 — Gendarmerie (rural and village areas)
- 158 — Coast Guard (maritime emergencies)
Benefit: memorizing a few numbers saves time and reduces confusion while you coordinate language help or give directions.
Medical emergencies: what to do and how to explain the situation
Call 112 for serious medical events such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or life-threatening allergic reactions. Speak clearly and give the dispatcher your location and a brief description of symptoms.
Example: If someone collapses in a market in Izmir, say “ambulance needed, unconscious person, breathing abnormal, address or landmark.” This direct approach helps the dispatcher send the right team and equipment.
- Keep a digital and printed copy of your prescriptions, allergies, and chronic conditions.
- Program an “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contact in your phone with a local number.
- Learn basic Turkish phrases: “ambulans” (ambulance), “baygın” (unconscious), “alerji” (allergy).
Benefit: a prepared med card and clear call reduce time to treatment and protect you when language barriers appear.
Police, fire and public safety: who handles what
Call 155 for police in cities and towns. Call 110 to report fires. Call 156 when you need the gendarmerie in rural areas. Contact 158 for incidents at sea or on the coastline.
Example: After a pickpocket incident on a tram in Istanbul, call 155 to file a report. The police report helps with insurance claims and with replacing stolen documents.
- Report crimes promptly and ask for an official report number for insurance and consular support.
- If a situation threatens life or property, call the emergency line first before contacting your embassy.
- Cameras and witnesses help. Note nearby shop names or tram stop numbers to speed the response.
Benefit: knowing the right service reduces delays and creates a clear paper trail for recovery and legal steps.
Roadside, travel and tourist-specific assistance
Travel incidents happen on highways, ferries, or rural roads. For accidents with injuries, call 112 and 155. For vehicle breakdowns, contact your insurance or roadside assistance provider. Save your rental company’s emergency line if you drive a hired car.
Example: If your rental car breaks down on the D400 coastal road, call your insurer for a tow and call the local gendarmerie (156) if traffic becomes dangerous.
- Carry your driver’s license, vehicle paperwork, and insurance card in the car.
- Keep a small emergency kit: reflective vest, warning triangle, flashlight, basic first-aid items.
- Use your phone’s location share feature to show responders exactly where you stand.
Benefit: combining proper documentation and location-sharing speeds vehicle recovery and lowers roadside risks.
Consular support, poison control and local community help
Your embassy or consulate provides emergency assistance for lost passports, legal issues, and situations that require repatriation or urgent advice. Register with your embassy on arrival so officials can contact you during major incidents.
Poisoning and chemical exposure require immediate medical help through 112. Contact your embassy for language support and to notify family members if you face a prolonged hospital stay.
- Save your embassy’s emergency number and the consular telephone for after-hours cases.
- Identify nearby hospitals with English-speaking staff; save their direct lines.
- Join local expat groups and community WhatsApp or Telegram channels for fast, practical local advice.
Benefit: consular help adds a layer of practical and legal support when you face complex problems far from home.
Practical checklist to prepare today
Prepare now to avoid panic later. Follow this simple checklist and review it each time you move or travel within Turkey.
- Save the national numbers (112, 155, 110, 156, 158) and local hospital lines in your phone.
- Print a wallet card with your name, address, allergies, and ICE contact.
- Register with your embassy and save its emergency after-hours number.
- Keep vehicle documents, insurance and rental emergency lines in the car.
- Practice key Turkish emergency phrases or keep a translation app ready.
When an emergency starts, act calmly, provide clear location details, and request language assistance if needed. These steps keep you safer and help responders work faster.
Stay prepared, update your contacts regularly, and share your emergency plan with household members. A few minutes of preparation today can prevent hours of stress and ensure you get the right help when you need it most.
