Most visitors to Armenia never need an emergency service, but the few minutes it takes to save the right numbers can matter on a mountain road or a remote trail. This page is the quick-reference version: who to call, what to say, and what to do afterwards. For a wider view of risks, see our Armenia safety guide.
Armenia emergency numbers at a glance
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Single emergency number | 112 |
| Police | 102 |
| Ambulance | 103 |
| Fire and rescue | 101 |
| Gas leaks | 104 |
Calls from a mobile are free, and 112 also works without a SIM card on most phones. Dial from a local SIM if you can, because roaming sometimes delays connection. If you have not bought one yet, our Armenia SIM card guide compares the options.
A note on 911: several government and travel sources list 911 as an alternative emergency line, and others do not mention it. We recommend 112 as your default, since it is the number listed consistently, and treat 911 as a backup only.
Which number to call
- Crime, theft, a car accident, or a threat: 102 or 112. Ask for a written police report, because insurers and embassies both require one.
- Medical emergency: 103 or 112. Give the exact address or the nearest landmark. Ambulances can take longer to reach rural villages than central Yerevan.
- Fire, rescue, or someone trapped or lost in the mountains: 101 or 112.
- Smell of gas in your accommodation: leave the building, do not touch light switches, and call 104 from outside.
Language: what to expect when you call
Operators usually speak Armenian and Russian, and English is not guaranteed. A few short phrases help:
- Help: Ognutyun (Օգնություն)
- Police: Politsia (Ոստիկանություն)
- Ambulance: Shtap bzhishkakan ognutyun (Շտապ բժշկական օգնություն)
Our basic Armenian phrases guide has more. In a non-life-threatening situation, ask your hotel reception or guesthouse host to call for you and translate. They will also know the exact local address, which operators need.
Police and tourist police advice
We could not confirm a dedicated tourist police hotline for Armenia, so do not rely on one. Use 102 or 112 and, if possible, have a local speaker on the line. Keep your passport copy and phone photo separate from the original, and carry your hotel’s name and address written in Armenian script.
If you are stopped or involved in an accident while driving, stay at the scene, call 102, and do not move the vehicles unless they block traffic dangerously. Take photos, note witnesses, and get the report number.
Hospitals and medical care
The best medical facilities in Armenia are concentrated in Yerevan, which has both public hospitals and private clinics that are better equipped and more used to foreign patients. Outside the capital, regional hospitals provide basic treatment and serious cases are usually transferred to Yerevan. Our health and vaccinations guide covers clinics, pharmacies and vaccinations in more detail.
Practical points:
- Ask whether the facility accepts your travel insurance before treatment, and keep every receipt and report.
- Private clinic fees are lower than in Western Europe but can be paid in cash up front, so carry some Armenian dram.
- Many prescription medicines are sold over the counter in pharmacies, but a doctor’s advice is safer than self-medicating.
- At altitude (Aragats, Tatev region, Lake Sevan highlands), watch for headache, nausea and breathlessness, and descend if they persist.
Mountain and hiking emergencies
Mobile coverage fades in the high valleys of Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Aragats. Before any hike, tell your host the route and your expected return time, download offline maps, and carry a charged power bank and a whistle. If you are lost or injured, call 112 or 101 as soon as you have signal, and move to higher open ground if the signal is weak.
Weather changes quickly above 2,000 metres, with storms common on summer afternoons. Start early and turn back at the first sign of cloud build-up.
Embassy help and lost documents
Embassies cannot pay medical bills or fares home, but they can issue emergency travel documents, help you contact family, and advise after an arrest or serious illness. Some countries, such as Australia, have no embassy in Yerevan, so check your own government’s advice before you travel. Our embassies and consulates guide lists the main contacts and the steps for a lost passport.
If your passport is stolen, report it at a police station first, then contact your embassy with the report number.
Travel insurance: the safety net
Emergency numbers get help to you, but insurance pays for it. Choose a policy that covers emergency medical treatment, evacuation from mountain areas, and the activities you plan, such as hiking or skiing. Check that cover includes the places you will visit, since some policies exclude areas close to the borders. You can compare options through our Armenia travel insurance partner, and read our travel insurance guide for what to look for in the small print.
Save before you go
- Add 112, 102, 103 and 101 to your phone contacts under “Armenia Emergency”.
- Save your embassy’s number and your insurer’s 24-hour assistance line.
- Write down your accommodation’s name and address in Armenian.
- Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and insurance policy.
All numbers above were checked against published sources in October 2026, but official numbers can change, so confirm with your embassy or hotel if anything seems out of date.