You're new to living in the Algarve and an emergency arises – what to do? Print this list of emergency numbers and information, and keep it handy for immediate help.
Note that if you call the emergency services it might be hard to explain where you live. Keep the geo-coordinates of your location handy or write it on your print-out of this list, so that you can give that to the emergency services and ensure that they can find you fast! Note that most of the responders on the emergency lines do not speak much English.
https://meravista.com/en/algarve/resources/useful-information/emergency-numbers-in-the-algarve
For instance, when dialling the standard emergency number – 112 – the operator is unlikely to speak English. The caller is reliant on their Portuguese language skills.
https://www.portugalresident.com/2014/01/31/emergency-service-for-foreign-residents/
Oh dear. If your inormation is coming from an iMergencies ad, it's no wonder you are getting it wrong.
We have used 112 twice, and on both occasions the operator spoke English. That could be because 8 years of English is mandatory in Portugal. More likely in a land of frequent English speakers, an operator who spoke only English would be as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Though it is not explicitly stated in the files, I cannot see a receptionist at the OC getting a job unless he spoke English.
Nurses etc have to take further English, presumably to cover medical terminology.
Emergency ambulances always carry at least one person who can speak good English. iMergencies is a waste of money if you hope they will answer on-the-spot questions in Portuguese for you.
Of the 3 or 4 occasions we have been in contact withe the GNR and PSP here, the exchange has always been in English.
Not that it matters, the Great Gonçalo was not part of any emergency response team. And I suspect he knows more English than he claims.
