Help abroad — Gabinete de Emergência Consular (MNE)

Direct answer

Consular help is for emergencies: serious illness or accident, a death, an arrest, a lost passport, a crisis or disaster, being a victim of crime — and it exists 24/7 through Gabinete de Emergência Consular (MNE) (217 929 055). It does not pay bills, book flights or intervene in private disputes, but it tells you who can, contacts family, and issues documents. For immediate danger, the local emergency number — 112 — emergency (112) — works in every EU country and most others. Money problems (medical bills, repatriation) are what travel insurance is for; ASF — Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros / Provedor do Cliente (808 787 787) if it refuses.

Call firstGabinete de Emergência Consular (MNE)

Report to112 — emergency

If that failsASF — Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros / Provedor do Cliente

🗣️ What to say

"I am a citizen of Portugal in [city, country]. [What happened: accident / illness / victim of crime / lost documents / crisis]. I need [help with…]. I am at [place] and can be reached at [number]."

🪜 Step by step

Danger now: 112Or the local number; the operator connects you to the right service in English in most places.
Consular line: Gabinete de Emergência Consular (MNE)They know the local hospitals, police procedures and lawyers, and can contact your family.
Insurance assistance lineOn your policy card; they arrange and pay for medical care and repatriation. Call them early, not after.
DocumentsLost passport: see that page. Keep a photo of your documents in your phone and with someone at home.
Crisis or disasterRegister with your foreign ministry's travel-registration service so they can reach you; follow their travel advice.

📇 All contacts

Gabinete de Emergência Consular (MNE)Consular assistance, emergencies abroad, 24/7In an emergency abroad📞 217 929 055 🔗 portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt

112 — emergencyPolice, fire and ambulance, any EU country, freeDanger to life, fire, gas smell, someone hurt📞 112

ASF — Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros / Provedor do ClienteComplaints against insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 808 787 787 🔗 www.asf.com.pt

APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à VítimaFree victim support, accompaniment, compensationAfter any crime📞 116 006 🔗 apav.pt

❓ Frequently asked

Can the consulate lend me money?

In genuine emergencies, a repayable loan for a ticket home may be possible as a last resort. Family transfers via the consulate are more common.

I am a victim of crime abroad

Local police report, then the consulate, then victim support at home — see that page; EU rules let you report at home too.

Someone died abroad

The consulate helps with the local procedures, the documents and repatriation; the insurer usually pays the transport.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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