Mountain, beach and heat emergencies, and who pays for rescue (rescate)

Key rules

• Emergency number: Call 112 for any emergency, anywhere in Spain.
• Rescue cost: Mountain rescue is usually free, but some regions charge in cases of negligence or in protected or high-risk areas.
• Health cover: Public health cover and the EHIC do not pay for mountain or sea rescue.
• Risky sports: Travel insurance often excludes off-piste skiing, climbing and diving unless you add adventure cover.

What to do first

Call 112 for any emergency, in the mountains, on the beach or in the heat. It is free and works across Spain. Say where you are, what happened and how many people are hurt.

Mountain rescue: who pays

Rescue is usually free. The Guardia Civil mountain rescue team (GREIM), regional firefighters or emergency services normally go out without charging you.

Spain has no national policy on charging, though. Some regions have approved public prices for rescue, mostly for negligent or reckless behaviour or for activities in protected or high-risk areas. Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla y León have used or regulated this, each with different conditions. Whether you pay depends on the regional rule, the type of rescue, and whether you were negligent or lacked proper equipment. Check the current rules with the regional government where you plan to hike or ski.

Does insurance cover rescue?

Public health cover and the EHIC do not pay for mountain or sea rescue or search costs. You need other cover.

• Many travel insurance policies cover rescue and emergency transport, but often only up to a limit.
• They usually exclude high-risk sports such as off-piste skiing, climbing, high-altitude mountaineering and diving, unless you buy an adventure add-on.
• Other common exclusions are alcohol, ignoring official warnings and professional activity.
• A Spanish mountaineering federation licence (FEDME, with regional versions) includes rescue cover.
• Some ski-lift passes include rescue cover inside the ski area.

Read the sports list, limits and exclusions before you go.

Beach and sea emergencies

Swim at guarded beaches and follow the flag colours: green, yellow or red. Do not swim after a heavy meal or after drinking alcohol. On the beach, help comes from lifeguards (socorristas), local police, Protección Civil and Cruz Roja.

At sea, Salvamento Marítimo responds. Call 900 202 202 or 112, or use VHF channel 16 if you are on a boat.

Heat

Heat can become an emergency fast. Spain's health authorities and the state weather agency issue colour-coded heat warnings: yellow, orange and red. Check them before going out.

• Drink water often.
• Stay out of the sun in the central hours of the day.
• Wear light clothing and a hat, and use shade.
• Check on older people, children and anyone ill.
• Never leave children or pets in a car.

If someone has heat stroke, move them to shade and cool them while you wait for an ambulance. Call 112.

The checklist and warnings below cover the steps to take before you go.

Checklist

• Read your travel insurance for rescue limits, the list of excluded sports and the exclusions for alcohol and ignored warnings.

• Buy an adventure add-on or a mountaineering federation licence if you plan off-piste skiing, climbing or high-altitude walking.

• Check the colour-coded heat warning (yellow, orange or red) before going out in summer.

• Drink water often, stay in shade during the central hours of the day, and wear light clothing and a hat.

• Call Salvamento Marítimo on 900 202 202 or 112 for an emergency at sea.

What to watch out for

• Rescue may be charged in some regions: Rescue is usually free, but some regions, including Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla y León, charge fees for negligent behaviour or for activities in protected or high-risk areas. Check the rule of the region you are visiting and carry proper equipment.

• Public health cover does not pay for rescue: Public health cover and the EHIC do not pay for mountain or sea rescue or search costs, so you could face the bill yourself. Take out travel insurance or a mountaineering federation licence that includes rescue.

• Travel insurance often excludes risky sports: Policies typically exclude off-piste skiing, climbing, high-altitude mountaineering and diving, and claims can be refused after alcohol or ignored official warnings. Read the sports list and limits, and buy an adventure add-on before you go.

• Heat can become an emergency fast: Heat stroke is dangerous, and children and pets left in cars are at serious risk. Never leave children or pets in a car. Call 112, move the person to shade and cool them until the ambulance arrives.

• Unguarded beaches and swimming after eating or drinking: Swimming at unguarded beaches, ignoring a red flag, or swimming after a heavy meal or alcohol raises the risk of drowning. Swim at guarded beaches, follow the flags and call 112 if someone is in trouble.

Frequently asked questions

Does travel insurance cover off-piste skiing or climbing rescue?

Usually not, because most travel policies exclude high-risk sports such as off-piste skiing, climbing, mountaineering above set altitudes and diving unless you buy an adventure add-on. Alcohol, ignoring official warnings and professional activity are also commonly excluded.

Who pays if I am rescued in the mountains in Spain?

Rescue is usually free of charge, carried out by the Guardia Civil, regional firefighters or emergency services.

What number do I call for an emergency at sea?

Call Salvamento Marítimo on 900 202 202, or dial 112, or use VHF channel 16 if you have a radio.