Who rescues you at sea, on a beach or in the mountains

Key rules

• Emergency number: 112 works everywhere in Spain, on land, on beaches and at sea.
• Sea rescue cost: Sea rescue by Salvamento Marítimo is generally free, unless there is misuse or negligence.
• Mountain rescue cost: Charges depend on the region and usually apply only to negligence, recklessness or ignored warnings.
• Lifeguards: Lifeguards are mostly seasonal, so many beaches have none out of season.

Which number to call

Call 112 from anywhere in Spain. It works on land, on beaches and at sea, and the call is passed to the right rescue service.

At sea you have two more options. If you have a VHF radio on a boat, use channel 16. If you don't, call 900 202 202, the line of Salvamento Marítimo. The decision box below helps you pick.

In the mountains

Call 112 and say clearly that it is a mountain rescue. Give your location and the problem.

Your call goes to the regional emergency centre, which sends the right team. Who comes depends on the region. The Guardia Civil mountain rescue teams act in many areas. In others, regional firefighters (bomberos) or regional rescue groups come, for example in Catalonia, Aragón, Navarra and the Basque Country. Helicopters are often used.

If you have no signal, move to a spot with coverage if it is safe to do so. If a call fails, send an SMS or a location message.

On a beach

On a beach with lifeguards, go to the lifeguard tower or post. You can also wave or shout to get their attention. If there is no lifeguard, call 112. The call is relayed to lifeguards and sea rescue.

Before you swim, check the flag. Green, yellow and red show the state of the sea.

Town halls run the lifeguard service, and it is usually seasonal. That means summer, and longer in some areas. Many beaches have no lifeguard the rest of the year, so don't count on one out of season.

At sea

Salvamento Marítimo handles emergencies at sea. A call to 112 is forwarded to the maritime rescue centre, so you will be heard either way. VHF channel 16 is the fastest route if you have a radio.

Will you have to pay?

Sea rescue by Salvamento Marítimo is generally free. You can still be made to cover costs in cases such as misuse or negligence.

For mountains, it depends on the region. Many regions charge nothing in ordinary cases. Some, such as Aragón, Catalonia, Navarra and Asturias, can charge when there is negligence or recklessness, or when people ignore warnings. Madrid has had similar provisions. Before you go, ask the regional government whether your mountain region charges, and heed any warnings. Never delay a call for fear of the cost.

Choosing between options

Which number do you use to get rescue outdoors?

• VHF channel 16: You are on a boat and have a radio.

• 900 202 202 (Salvamento Marítimo): You are in difficulty at sea and have no radio.

• 112: You are on land, on a beach or in the mountains, or any time you are unsure. At sea it is forwarded to the maritime rescue centre.

At sea, use VHF 16 if you have a radio, otherwise 900 202 202 or 112. On land or beaches, use 112. Sea rescue by Salvamento Marítimo is generally free, while some regions can charge for mountain rescue after negligence or ignored warnings.

Checklist

• Call 112 in the mountains, say it is a mountain rescue, and give your location and the problem.

• Go to the lifeguard tower or post on a staffed beach, or wave or shout to alert the lifeguards.

• Check whether the beach has a lifeguard outside the summer season, and call 112 if it does not.

Frequently asked questions

Who responds to a mountain rescue call in Spain?

It depends on the region, because the regional emergency centre sends the responder. The Guardia Civil mountain rescue teams (GREIM) act in many areas, while regional firefighters or rescue groups act in others, such as Catalonia, Aragón, Navarra and the Basque Country. Helicopters are often used.

What can I do if I have no phone signal in the mountains?

Move to a spot with coverage if you can do so safely, then call 112. If a call will not connect, send an SMS or a location message instead.

Do I have to pay for mountain or sea rescue in Spain?

Sea rescue by Salvamento Marítimo is generally free, and many regions charge nothing for mountain rescue in ordinary cases. Some regions, such as Aragón, Catalonia, Navarra and Asturias, can charge when there is negligence or recklessness or when you ignore warnings. Costs can also fall on you for misuse or negligence at sea.

Is there a lifeguard on every beach all year?

No, lifeguards are run by each municipality and are usually seasonal, roughly summer and longer in some areas. Many beaches have none outside the season, so call 112 there.