Call 112 when somebody is in immediate danger
Use Malta’s emergency number for a serious illness or injury, violence, fire, a dangerous road collision, a person missing at sea, or any situation needing urgent police, ambulance, fire or rescue assistance.
Call 112. Calls are free, available 24 hours a day and can be made from a phone without a SIM card.
An emergency is stressful anywhere, but it can feel especially confusing when you are visiting another country. In Gozo, the first decision is whether the situation presents an immediate threat to life, safety or property. If it does, call 112. If it does not, a hospital, police station, medical advice line, insurer, rental company or consular representative may be the more appropriate source of help.
Who should you contact?
Immediate danger or serious injury
Call 112 for urgent police, ambulance, fire or rescue assistance.
Medical concern that is not life threatening
Call Malta’s 24 hour medical guidance line on 1400. It can help direct eligible patients to the most appropriate available service.
Police help without immediate danger
Call Malta Police on +356 2122 4001, visit a police station or arrange a remote report where appropriate.
Lost passport or serious difficulty abroad
Report theft to the police, then contact your embassy, high commission or consulate for advice and emergency travel documentation.
What happens when you call 112?
The operator will assess the situation and connect or dispatch the appropriate service. State clearly whether you need an ambulance, police, fire or rescue response. Give your exact location, the nearest village, road, bay or landmark, and share a live map location if you can do so safely.
Explain what has happened, how many people are affected and whether anyone is unconscious, bleeding, trapped, struggling to breathe or still exposed to danger. Give your telephone number, follow the operator’s instructions and do not end the call until you are told to do so.
People with a hearing or speech impairment can use the Malta Police emergency textphone service on +356 7977 0112.
Medical emergencies and illness
For a life threatening illness, major injury, loss of consciousness, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or major trauma, call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
Gozo General Hospital has an accident and emergency department in Victoria. Do not call a general hospital number instead of 112 when an ambulance or immediate emergency response is required. For a medical concern that is urgent but not life threatening, the 1400 medical guidance line is available 24 hours a day.
If poisoning or harmful exposure is suspected, the Malta National Poison Centre can be contacted on 1774 during its published service hours. Call 112 immediately if the person is unconscious, having difficulty breathing or seriously unwell.
See the full emergency contacts guide.
Police, crime and personal safety
Call 112 if violence is happening or likely to happen soon, a crime is in progress, somebody is in immediate danger, or a missing person is believed to be at risk.
For a matter that is not an emergency, contact Malta Police on +356 2122 4001 or visit a police station. The main Gozo police station is in Victoria, with other stations serving locations including Mġarr. Opening arrangements and local contact details can change, so check before travelling unless the matter is urgent.
Find police stations, contact details and visitor etiquette.
Trouble in or near the water
Call 112 immediately when a swimmer, diver, kayaker or boat user is missing, struggling, injured or being carried away from shore. Give the name of the bay or coastal location, the nearest access point and a description of the person. Do not enter rough water or climb unstable cliffs if doing so could create another casualty.
Before a coastal day out, check swimming flags, wind direction, sea conditions, jellyfish information and official water quality guidance. Conditions on opposite sides of Gozo can be very different on the same day.
Read the Gozo water safety guide.
Road accidents and hire cars
Call 112 when anybody is injured, trapped or in immediate danger, or when a collision creates a serious obstruction. For a collision without injury, follow the applicable local reporting procedure and contact your hire company or insurer promptly.
Do not admit liability, arrange repairs or leave the scene before completing the required procedure unless an official tells you to move or remaining there would be unsafe. Photograph positions, damage, registration plates and the surrounding road conditions when it is safe.
Read what to do after a car accident in Gozo.
When your embassy or consulate can help
A consular representative may help after a lost or stolen passport, arrest, serious accident, hospital admission, bereavement or another major difficulty abroad. They can explain local procedures, contact relatives with permission and provide information about lawyers, doctors or interpreters.
Consular officials generally cannot pay medical or hotel bills, cancel local laws, secure release from arrest, provide legal representation or force an airline or insurer to compensate you.
Use the Malta consular contacts guide.
Mental health, abuse and crisis support
If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 112. Malta’s mental health assistance line is available on 1579. Supportline 179 provides free and confidential help for domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, addiction and other social crises.
A visitor who feels unsafe should move to a public place or trusted accommodation if possible, contact the police when appropriate and tell somebody they trust where they are.
Useful information to keep ready
- Your accommodation name, address and telephone number.
- Your passport or identity document and a secure copy.
- Your EHIC or GHIC where applicable, plus travel insurance details.
- Your medicines, allergies and important medical conditions.
- Your hire car company, insurer and roadside assistance numbers.
- Your embassy or consulate contact details.
- An offline map or saved location for your accommodation.
Important information disclaimerInformation checked against official Maltese sources on 23 July 2026. Telephone numbers, eligibility rules, opening hours and service arrangements can change. In any immediate or life threatening emergency, call 112 and follow the instructions of the emergency services. This article provides practical visitor guidance and does not replace professional medical, legal, police, rescue, insurance or consular advice.
Plan with confidence
Frequently asked questions
What emergency number should I call in Gozo?
Call 112 when somebody faces immediate danger, serious illness or injury, violence, fire, a dangerous collision or an urgent rescue situation. The call is free and connects you with the appropriate emergency service.
What should I do for a medical problem that is not life threatening?
Malta’s 24-hour medical guidance line, 1400, can help direct eligible patients to an appropriate service. You may also contact your insurer, accommodation provider, pharmacy or clinic depending on the circumstances.
What information should I give an emergency operator?
State what happened, your location, the number of people involved and any immediate hazards. Use a nearby business, landmark, road name or shared map location when an exact address is unavailable, and remain on the line for instructions.
What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?
Report theft to the police and contact your embassy, high commission or consulate for guidance on emergency travel documents. Keep digital copies of identification and travel insurance details somewhere secure and separate from the originals.