etunisie
Tunis at night
Plan — Emergency

Emergency numbers, embassies, hospitals

The numbers, addresses and links you hope you'll never need — all on one page so you can save it before you fly. Police, ambulance, the major embassies in Tunis, English-speaking hospitals, 24-hour pharmacies and current government travel advisories.

Quick answerUpdated Reviewed by eTunisie editors (Tunis)

Tunisia's main emergency numbers are 197 (police), 198 (fire / civil protection), and 190 (ambulance / SAMU). Tourist police operate in major resort zones. Save your country's embassy in Tunis number in your phone, and carry travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.

  • Police: 197 — Fire: 198 — Ambulance / SAMU: 190.
  • Tourist police operate in Hammamet, Sousse, Djerba and Tunis.
  • Most large hotels have an on-call English-speaking doctor.
  • Private clinics in Tunis and Sousse offer EU-standard care — pay upfront, claim later.
  • Always carry your passport (or hotel-certified copy).
Police
197
Fire
198
Ambulance
190
Country code
+216
197
Police
190
Ambulance
198
Fire
+216
Country code

Emergency numbers

All these are free to call from any Tunisian SIM. From a foreign roaming line, dial them as +216 followed by the number (drop the leading 1 if your operator requires it). Tap a number on mobile to call directly.
ServiceNumber
Police197
Garde Nationale193
Ambulance / SAMU190
Civil Protection / Fire198
Tourist Police+216 71 341 077
Highway Assistance (TT-A1)1200
Coast Guard194

Embassies in Tunis

If you lose your passport, get arrested or need consular help, your embassy is the right first call — even before contacting the local police. Most embassies in Tunis are located in the Berges du Lac district, easy to reach by taxi from anywhere in the capital.

Hospitals & private clinics

For non-life-threatening emergencies, private clinics ("polycliniques") are usually the fastest option and have multilingual staff. For serious trauma, public CHU hospitals have specialist emergency departments. Always carry your travel insurance card and passport.

24-hour pharmacies

Every major city has at least one designated "pharmacie de nuit" open 24/7. They rotate by week, but the addresses below are reliable hubs that direct you to the current rota if they're closed. Bring your prescription and a copy of your passport.

Government travel advisories

These are the current official positions of the major travelling-citizen governments. They update frequently — always click through to read the latest before flying.

  • FCDO

    See our advice

    Travel allowed with normal precautions; specific advice for the southern border with Libya/Algeria.

    Read official advisory

  • U.S. State Dept.

    Level 2 — Exercise increased caution

    Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Reconsider travel near the southern borders.

    Read official advisory

  • France Diplomatie

    Vigilance normale (zones recommandées)

    Travel allowed; vigilance reinforced near the border zones with Libya and Algeria.

    Read official advisory

  • Auswärtiges Amt

    Reisehinweise

    Travel allowed; specific warnings for southern border areas and remote desert routes.

    Read official advisory

  • Travel.gc.ca

    Exercise a high degree of caution

    Exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism.

    Read official advisory

  • Smartraveller

    Reconsider your need to travel

    Australia advises higher caution due to terrorism and civil unrest in some areas.

    Read official advisory

What to keep handy

Save this page as a bookmark on your phone before you fly. Take a photo of your passport, travel insurance card, and your embassy's number. Tell someone at home your daily itinerary, especially if you're going into the desert. If you're driving, the highway assistance number 1200 covers all the toll motorways.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What number do I dial for an ambulance in Tunisia?
Dial 190 anywhere in Tunisia. It connects to SAMU, the national medical emergency service. The call is free from any SIM card, including foreign roaming.
Is the police number 197 or 190 in Tunisia?
197 is police. 190 is ambulance/SAMU. 198 is fire and civil protection. 193 is Garde Nationale, used in rural areas and on motorways.
Where is the British / US / French embassy in Tunis?
The UK and US embassies are both in Berges du Lac, Tunis. The French Embassy is on Place de l'Indépendance in central Tunis. See the embassy section above for full addresses, phone numbers and website links.
Are there 24-hour pharmacies in Tunisia?
Yes. Every major city has rotating 'pharmacie de nuit' that operate 24/7. Listings above cover Tunis, Sousse, Hammamet, Djerba, Sfax and Tozeur. Outside those cities, the duty pharmacy is posted on the door of any closed pharmacy.
Should I buy travel insurance for Tunisia?
Yes. Public hospital care is free in life-threatening emergencies, but most travellers prefer private clinics where care is faster and English/French is widely spoken. Private treatment requires upfront payment unless your insurer pre-authorises. Pick a policy with direct billing if possible.

Travel safely in Tunisia

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