How to talk to the police in Spanish

We all hope that it never happens – particularly while on vacation – but there may come a time when you’re traveling and you need to get the police involved. Maybe there’s an accident or an injury, maybe you’re the victim of a crime. It’s not extremely common, as Spain is a fairly safe tourist destination, but it is possible. If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to talk to the police, but they only speak Spanish, you will need to be able to accurately and concisely describe your problem and the help you need. So how do you talk to the police in Spanish?

Phrases for talking to Spanish police

Here is some common Spanish vocabulary that you may need to use if you have to talk to the police:

Emergency phrases in Spanish

These phrases will help you get out of a bind if you need to talk to the police while you’re traveling in a Spanish speaking country. Now you can travel confidently, knowing that you are prepared in case of an accident or emergency.

Frequently asked questions about dealing with the police in Spanish

How do I call the police in Spain?

Reminder: the emergency number in Spain is 112, not 911. This is the Spanish equivalent of 911, meaning that it can be dialed toll free from Spanish and Andorran landline phones, cell phones, and public phones. It is only meant to be used in case of urgent emergency issues, not general information.

What number do I call for an ambulance in Spain?

112 is used for any emergency, including fires and ambulances. The dispatcher will connect the appropriate resources for the type of emergency you are calling about.

Are ambulances free in Spain?

Both foreigners and citizens have the right to be given emergency treatment in Spanish hospitals, regardless of insurance coverage. Emergency transport should be covered by the public system, although a ride that is deemed a “non-emergency trip” could be subject to a fee depending on distance. You are theoretically never further than 15 minutes away from the nearest hospital or high-quality medical center anywhere in the country of Spain.

Are there English-speaking police in Spain?

There is actually an English-speaking emergency number in Spain that was designed specifically for tourists; you can reach it by dialing 902 102112.

What are police called in Spain?

Spanish police are referred to as The National Police (La Policia Nacitonal, short for El Cuerpo Nacional de Policía).

What’s the difference between Guardia Civil and Policia?

The Guardia Civil patrols and investigates crimes in rural areas and highways. the Policía Nacional deals with safety in urban situations. Source: Wikipedia

How many police officers does Spain have?

There are over 87,000 Policía Nacional officers in Spain as of 2020.

Do police in Spain carry guns?

Some tourists wonder if the police in Spain are armed. The answer is yes, Spanish police officers are generally armed with handguns, similar to in the United States.

How do you say “I will call the police” in Spanish?

“Llamaré a la policía.” means “ will call the police” in Spanish. You can use this phrase to signal to someone that you are willing to call the authorities on them if they do not stop whatever they are doing.

How do you say “Do you want me to call the police?” in Spanish?

If someone is in trouble and you want to ask them if they need the police involved, you could say “¿Quieres que llame a la policía?”.

What are Spanish police like

Spanish police are described by most tourists as being extremely helpful and willing to go out of their way to help. Most foreigners say that the police are just as willing to help them as they are the local citizens. They are generally highly visible at all hours of the day, which does a long way in helping tourists feel more comfortable venturing out (in most areas) after dark. As far as the different police groups: The Guardia Civil are more militaristic and nature as they deal with crimes concerning weapons, explosives, smuggling, and protection of coasts, borders, ports and airports, among other duties. The Policía Nacional are responsible for the protection of citizens in metropolitan areas (generally described as cities with a population greater than 20,000 people.) Smaller cities may have a Policía Local which deal with city traffic, accidents, and enforcement of local regulations and licenses.

How do you address a police officer in Spain?

Much like in English, it is common to address a police officer as “Oficial” or “”Oficial (name)”. You could also address them as Señor or Señora. In some countries such as Argentina, “Agente” is sometimes used. As a general rule of thumb, if you would refer to someone by their last name (a professor, doctor, police officer, etc.), then you can safely expect to use the “usted” form with that person.

What are some Spanish slang terms for police?

Did you know that COP is actually an abbreviation for “Constable on Patrol”? That is why there is not a direct translation for this term in most languages. However, there are a number of Spanish slang words for the police which are basically used in the same way as “cop”. Here are some of the more common terms:

Read more about Spanish slang.

How do you say police officer in Spanish?

Here are some additional tips on traveling safely in Spain and driving safely in Spain.