Egypt emergency numbers: Who to call when things go wrong
If something goes wrong in Egypt, the fastest fix is knowing which number to call: 123 for an ambulance, 122 for police, or 126 for the Tourist Police if the issue involves a crime against a tourist. Save these before you land, along with your embassy's contact details, so you're not searching for them under stress.
What number do I call for a medical emergency?
Dial 123 to report a medical emergency and request an ambulance. If you're referred to a medical facility for treatment, contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly so they can confirm coverage and next steps. If the situation is serious, also contact your travel provider and insurer to find out what assistance they can offer.
What number do I call for police, fire, or crime?
For general crime, dial 122 to reach local police. For fire emergencies, dial 180. The Tourist Police, reachable on 126, specifically handle crimes or complaints involving tourists and can investigate. It's worth reporting any crime before you leave Egypt — if you don't report it while still in the country, it becomes difficult to prosecute later.
What if I lose my passport or documents?
Tell the police immediately and get a police report — this is required to transfer your visa stamps to a replacement passport. To make this process smoother, keep photocopies of your passport, visa, and flight ticket stored separately from the originals, so you have proof of your details even if the originals go missing.
How do I contact my embassy?
U.S. citizens can reach the U.S. Embassy in Egypt at +20-2-2797-3300 to report crimes or emergencies — but call local authorities (122, 123, or 126) first, then follow up with the embassy. Note that passport-loss procedures described here reflect UK and US government guidance; other nationalities should confirm specific steps with their own embassy.
Are there other helplines worth knowing?
Yes — Egypt has a few specialized lines: 16000 for the Child Emergency Help line, and 15115 for the National Council for Women. These are useful if the emergency involves a child or relates to women's welfare support.
Staying connected matters when you need to make these calls quickly or look up embassy details on the go — see /destinations/egypt for practical trip-planning info, including connectivity options.
FAQ
Do these emergency numbers work across all of Egypt? The facts here list national numbers (123, 122, 126, 180, 16000, 15115), but as they're current as of 2026-07-25, verify they're still accurate closer to your travel dates.
Will insurance cover a medical evacuation? Evacuation and assistance procedures vary by insurer and policy, so review your specific coverage before departure rather than assuming what's included.
What's the one document tip that helps most in an emergency? Keep photocopies of your passport, visa, and flight ticket separate from the originals — it simplifies replacement and verification if documents are lost or stolen.
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