A sudden illness or injury abroad is most disorienting exactly when you don't have travel insurance — or you have it but don't know the details. This guide covers who to call in the first few minutes, what a clinic will ask for without insurance, and what an embassy can (and can't) actually do for you.
☎️ The first few minutes: who to call
- 112 is the single emergency number across the EU and most of Europe — it works in English too
- Turkey uses 112, the UAE uses 998 (ambulance) or 999 (police), Egypt uses 123
- Contact your hotel's front desk or tour operator in parallel — staff can often explain the situation to local responders faster than you can
- For minor issues (a cold, a light sprain) try a local pharmacy or clinic first — the emergency room is for serious cases only
💳 When you don't have insurance
Public hospitals in Europe often require a deposit or full payment upfront from non-residents, and private clinics almost always ask for payment before treatment. Across the Gulf and Qatar, healthcare is mostly private, and even a single emergency visit can run surprisingly high. Georgia's embassy or consulate cannot help with the bill — they can only provide contact information and a list of medical facilities.
Always keep enough available credit or a reserve fund on your card — an emergency-visit deposit is often several hundred dollars, not tens.
🏛️ What the embassy can and can't do
An embassy can help you find a local doctor or hospital, contact your family, and, if needed, issue emergency travel documents — for example if your passport is lost (details here). It never covers medical costs and doesn't get involved in billing.
🩹 Pharmacy, clinic or ER — how to decide
- Mild symptoms (headache, cold, upset stomach) — a local pharmacy is often enough; in much of Europe pharmacists can consult directly
- Moderate cases (high fever, a deep cut) — a private clinic is usually faster than a public emergency room
- Life-threatening conditions — call 112 or the local emergency number directly, don't waste time weighing alternatives
🧾 If you do have insurance — what to keep
Photograph every receipt, diagnosis and prescription on the spot — without that paperwork, your travel insurance provider can't reimburse you once you're home. If you take medication regularly, check the rules on carrying medication abroad in advance. A Schengen visa requires coverage of at least €30,000 — see Schengen visa 2026 for details.
Fill in blood type, allergies and an emergency contact under your phone's lock-screen "Medical ID" — responders can see it without unlocking your phone.
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