Nobody wants to think about emergencies while planning a trip, but a small amount of preparation makes an enormous difference if something does go wrong. This guide is meant to be saved before you land — the kind of thing you hope never to open, but are glad to have if you do.
Emergency numbers in Argentina
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 911 | General emergencies (police, medical, fire) in Buenos Aires and major cities |
| 107 | Medical emergencies (SAME ambulance service) in Buenos Aires City |
| 100 | Fire department |
| 101 | Federal Police (alternative line) |
Save these before you travel. Operators primarily speak Spanish, so if language is a barrier, having your hotel or a local contact place the call for you is often faster than struggling through it yourself under stress.
What to do in the first hour after a theft or robbery
- Prioritize your physical safety first. Do not resist or chase after a thief — belongings can be replaced, and confrontation is the primary source of injury in these situations, not the theft itself.
- Move to a safe, populated location — a shop, hotel lobby, or well-lit busy street.
- Call 911 to report the incident and request guidance on the nearest police station for filing a formal report.
- File a police report (denuncia) in person at a police station. You'll need this report number for insurance claims and for replacing stolen documents.
- Cancel and freeze cards immediately through your bank's app or international hotline — most major banks have a dedicated line for lost/stolen cards abroad.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was taken, to begin the emergency replacement process.
Replacing a stolen or lost passport
Every embassy handles this slightly differently, but the general process is consistent:
- File the police report first — most consulates require the report number as part of the application.
- Contact your embassy or consulate in Buenos Aires directly (search "[your country] embassy Buenos Aires emergency passport" before you travel and save the number).
- Bring any photo ID you still have, plus the photos you took of your original passport before the trip (see our safety tips guide for this preparation step).
- Most embassies can issue an emergency travel document within 24-48 hours for straightforward cases.
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Chat with us on WhatsAppTravel insurance claims
Most travel insurance policies require specific documentation to process a claim related to theft or loss:
- The police report (denuncia) with report number.
- Receipts or proof of value for stolen items, where available.
- A completed claim form, usually submitted online through your insurer's app or website — start this as soon as possible, ideally while still in Argentina in case additional documentation is requested.
Keep digital copies of everything — the police report, any correspondence, photos of relevant documents — in cloud storage rather than only on a device that could itself be lost or stolen.
Medical emergencies
Argentina has a strong public and private healthcare system. For serious emergencies, calling 911 or 107 dispatches an ambulance. For non-emergency medical needs, most hotels can recommend a nearby clinic, and many private clinics in tourist-heavy areas have English-speaking staff. Confirm what your travel insurance covers and how to initiate a claim before you need it — reading the policy after an incident is far more stressful than reading it in advance.
When to contact your embassy (beyond passport issues)
Embassies and consulates can also assist with:
- Serious medical emergencies requiring coordination with family back home.
- Legal trouble or arrest (embassies cannot get you released, but can ensure you're treated fairly and notify family).
- Natural disasters or civil emergencies affecting large numbers of travelers.
- General guidance if you're genuinely unsure where else to turn.
A simple pre-trip checklist
- Emergency numbers saved in your phone, and written down on paper as backup.
- Photos of your passport, visa page and cards stored in cloud storage.
- Your embassy's Buenos Aires contact number saved before you travel, not searched for during an emergency.
- Travel insurance policy number and claims process reviewed in advance.
- A copy of your accommodation address and your itinerary shared with someone back home.
Prevention is still the best strategy
This guide exists for the rare case something goes wrong — but the overwhelming majority of visits to Argentina involve none of it. Reviewing our 15 essential safety tips and common scams guide before you travel does more to keep you out of trouble than any emergency plan can do once something has already happened.
Conclusion
Save this page, save the numbers, and hope you never need any of it. If you do, having this information ready — rather than searching for it in the moment — is what turns a stressful situation into a manageable one.
For visitors who want a local team available throughout their trip, not just in an emergency, get in touch before you land — we provide English-speaking assistance for the full duration of your stay.