For a life-threatening condition in Italy, call the emergency number 112 or the medical emergency service on 118. You can also attend a Pronto Soccorso — hospital emergency department yourself. Patients are seen according to the severity of their condition, not their arrival time: a member of staff first assesses the symptoms and assigns an urgency level.
How to call an ambulance in Italy
- Call 112 or 118 and keep the phone available for a return call.
- Give the city, street, building number, floor, entryphone code and nearest landmark.
- Explain what happened, how many people need help and whether they are conscious and breathing normally.
- Say if the patient is a child, is pregnant, or has diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease or severe allergies.
When to call 112 or 118 in Italy
Call the emergency services for loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, signs of a stroke, seizures, heavy bleeding, a severe allergic reaction, poisoning, a serious injury or a sudden deterioration.
Call 112112, 118 and non-emergency medical care in Italy
112 is the single European emergency number: the dispatcher receives the call and passes it to the ambulance, police or fire service. 118 connects directly to the medical control room and operates around the clock throughout Italy. Both calls are free.
116117 is intended for non-emergency medical care, but availability varies by region. As at 23 August 2026, the Italian Ministry of Health lists Emilia-Romagna among the regions authorised to introduce the number, but not among the areas where it is confirmed as operating everywhere. Check the current regional status before calling; for dangerous symptoms, call 112 or 118.
Pronto Soccorso codes and waiting times for the doctor
On arrival, patients undergo triage — an initial assessment of urgency. Italy uses five levels: code 1 means an emergency, code 2 an urgent condition, code 3 an urgent condition where some delay is acceptable, code 4 low urgency and code 5 a non-urgent case. A patient who arrives later may therefore be seen first.
National rules set maximum times before treatment begins: code 1 — immediately; code 2 — within 15 minutes; code 3 — within 60 minutes; code 4 — within 120 minutes; and code 5 — within 240 minutes. These are limits for access to treatment, not promised durations for the entire visit. Tests, imaging, a specialist consultation or further observation may follow the initial examination.
How to report deterioration in Pronto Soccorso
During the initial assessment, give your main concern, when the symptoms began, how severe they are and how they have changed over the preceding hours. If the pain worsens while you are waiting, or you develop shortness of breath, vomiting, fainting, confusion, or weakness in an arm or leg, return to the desk and ask for a rivalutazione — reassessment.
After registration, remain in the designated area so that you do not miss your name being called. Before eating, drinking or taking your own medicines, ask a member of staff whether a planned investigation or procedure requires you to avoid doing so.
Documents and payment for emergency assistance in Italy
If the person’s condition allows, bring a passport or identity document, Italian health card, European Health Insurance Card or travel insurance policy. Have the names of regular medicines, known allergies and chronic conditions ready for the doctor, together with previous discharge summaries and recent test results. This information helps guide the choice of medicines and investigations.
Care for a dangerous condition is provided whether or not you have been able to show documents. Payment is addressed afterwards and depends on registration with the public health service, the European card, insurance cover and the assigned code. Some non-urgent visits carry a ticket — a set patient contribution. A hospital may invoice a tourist from outside the EU, who can then submit the bill to their insurer under the terms of the policy.
Useful phrases for an ambulance or Pronto Soccorso
- C’è una persona che sta molto male.cheh OO-nah pehr-SOH-nah keh stah MOL-toh MAH-lehSomeone is very unwell.
- Abbiamo bisogno di un’ambulanza.ab-BYAH-moh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oo-nam-boo-LAN-tsahWe need an ambulance.
- Siamo a Rimini, in via…SYAH-moh ah REE-mee-nee een VEE-ah…We are in Rimini, on Via…
- Non respira bene.non reh-SPEE-rah BEH-nehThey are having difficulty breathing.
- Ha perso conoscenza.ah PEHR-soh koh-noh-SHEN-tsahThey have lost consciousness.
- Il dolore è iniziato due ore fa.eel doh-LOH-reh eh ee-nee-tsyah-toh DOO-eh OH-reh fahThe pain started two hours ago.
- Il dolore sta peggiorando.eel doh-LOH-reh stah ped-joh-RAN-dohThe pain is getting worse.
- Chiedo una nuova valutazione.KYEH-doh OO-nah NWOH-vah vah-loo-tah-TSYOH-nehI would like a reassessment.
- Prendo questi farmaci ogni giorno.PREN-doh KWES-tee FAR-mah-chee ON-yee JOR-nohI take these medicines every day.
Official sources
- Italian Ministry of Health: emergency numbers 118 and 112
- Italian Ministry of Health: five triage codes and maximum waiting times
- AUSL Romagna: how priority is determined in Pronto Soccorso
- Italian Ministry of Health: purpose and coverage of 116117
- Italian Ministry of Health: emergency care and the EHIC in Italy
Sources and the status of 116117 checked on 23 August 2026. This information is not a substitute for assessment by a healthcare professional; if life is at risk, call 112 or 118.
Frequently asked questions about ambulances in Italy
How do I call an ambulance in Rimini if I do not speak Italian?
Call 112 or 118. Give the exact address first, then briefly explain what happened and whether the patient is conscious and breathing. Once the emergency call is complete, you may contact me about interpreting the subsequent conversation with the medical team.
What should I tell the nurse in Rimini’s emergency department if the pain is getting worse?
State where the pain is, when it began and which new symptoms have appeared, then ask for reassessment. A change in symptoms may affect the assigned urgency code.
What should I take to the emergency department in Rimini?
Take identification, your health card or insurance policy, a list of medicines and allergies, previous discharge summaries and recent test results. Keep the insurer’s telephone number available if it arranges payment or issues a guarantee letter to the hospital.
Need an interpreter at an Italian hospital?
After calling the emergency services, contact me to ask about interpreting availability. I can interpret during registration, triage, the doctor’s examination and discussion of the next steps. In your message, include the hospital name, the assigned code and the main symptom.