No one plans for an emergency on holiday, but knowing the right emergency numbers in Morocco before you travel can genuinely save time, money, or a life. Whether it’s a medical scare, a theft, a fire, or a scam that’s turned aggressive, you can seek help from Marrakech emergency services.
You are free to call around the clock to get Marrakech tourist help. The single most important number to remember is 112, the universal emergency line that works from any mobile phone.
This guide lists every essential Marrakech emergency number, explains who to call for what, and walks you through exactly what to do in a crisis, from a stolen passport to a hospital visit.
Marrakech & Morocco Emergency Numbers at a Glance
Save these before you go. All emergency services in Morocco are reachable free of charge, 24 hours a day, from any phone.
- 112 — Universal emergency (from any mobile phone). This is the main number and will connect you to emergency services. If you remember only one number, make it this.
- 19 — Police (in cities and towns). The official police emergency number in Morocco, run by the national police (DGSN); dial it for police assistance in urban areas.
- 15 — Fire brigade and ambulance (Civil Protection). Reach an ambulance or the fire brigade (Protection Civile) through this fire brigade number in Marrakech.
- 150 — Medical emergencies / SAMU ambulance. For SAMU ambulances and medical emergencies.
- 177 — Royal Gendarmerie (rural areas and highways). Use this outside cities, on country roads, and on highways.
Important: Unlike some countries, 911 does not operate in Morocco. If you’re used to dialing 911, retrain yourself to dial 112 from a mobile.
A Note on the Ambulance number in Marrakech
You may see different medical emergency numbers listed in various places, and it’s worth being clear about this. The number 15 reaches both an ambulance and the fire brigade, while 150 is listed for SAMU ambulances and medical emergencies. Because published sources vary, the safest approach in a genuine medical emergency is to dial 112 first, since it connects to all emergency services and dispatchers can route you correctly. It’s also wise to confirm the current local numbers with your riad or hotel reception when you check in, as staff will know exactly who to call.
Who to Call in Morrocco and for What
Knowing which service handles which problem helps you get the right help faster.
Police (Dial 19 or 112)
For theft, assault, an aggressive confrontation, or any crime, call the Morocco police emergency number on 19 in Marrakech and other cities. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency help Marrakech, so either works in the city.
Ambulance & Medical Emergencies (Dial 15, 150 or 112)
For a serious injury, a heart attack, a bad fall, or any life-threatening medical situation, call for an ambulance. For a big emergency, calling the national emergency hotline sends an ambulance to help you reach a hospital quickly. When in doubt, 112 will connect you.
Fire Brigade / Civil Protection (Dial 15 or 112)
For fires, accidents, and rescue situations, the fire brigade and Civil Protection (Protection Civile) respond on 15. This same service handles many accident and rescue scenarios.
Royal Gendarmerie (Dial 177)
If you’re outside the city, this is your line. Dial 177 for the Royal Gendarmerie in rural zones and on highways. This matters if you’re on a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, the desert, or driving between cities, where the gendarmerie rather than city police has jurisdiction.
Tourist Police in Marrakech (Brigade Touristique)
Marrakech has a dedicated tourist police force specifically to help visitors. The Brigade Touristique operates in Marrakech, Fes, Agadir and other major destinations to handle problems involving tourists, such as scams, harassment, or theft. They are used to dealing with foreign visitors and often speak some English and French.
Where to find them: ask your riad or any police officer to point you to the nearest station; in Marrakech, the tourist police sit just off Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The tourist police brigade is available 24/7 to assist visitors. If you’re caught in an aggressive scam, a dispute with a vendor or driver, or a case of theft, this is an excellent first port of call.
What to Do If Your Passport or Belongings Are Stolen in Morrocco
Theft is the most common serious issue tourists face, and there’s a clear process to follow:
- File a police report. Go to the nearest police station (commissariat) or tourist police office and file a police report (procès-verbal). You’ll need your passport or a copy, details of the incident, and any evidence. The report is free and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
- Contact your embassy or consulate. Take the police report to your country’s embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document or temporary passport, usually within one to three business days.
- Protect yourself in advance. Keep photocopies of your passport and a digital scan in your email for faster processing.
This is exactly why the tourist police exist, so don’t hesitate to use them.
Getting Medical Help in Marrakech
For anything beyond a life-threatening emergency, you have good options. Most private clinics in major cities like Marrakech have English-speaking doctors. French is widely spoken in medical facilities, and private clinics are generally recommended for tourists because they offer higher standards of care and shorter wait times. Ask your riad to recommend or call a trusted private clinic.
For minor issues, pharmacies are a great first stop and can advise on many common ailments. Morocco runs a “pharmacie de garde” (duty pharmacy) system that keeps pharmacies open 24/7 on a rotating basis, so there is always one open, even overnight. Your accommodation can point you to the nearest one on duty.
How to Make an Emergency Call Effectively
In a crisis, how you communicate matters. Emergency services can’t see your situation, so your message must be clear, precise, and structured, and the quality of the information you give directly affects how quickly help arrives. Speak calmly and try to provide, in this order:
- Your name and the number you’re calling from, so they can call you back if needed.
- Your exact location: the full address, the city, and any visible landmarks. This is crucial in the medina, where street addresses can be confusing, so name the nearest gate (bab), riad, or famous landmark.
- The nature of the emergency and how many people are affected.
Practical Tips to Stay Prepared
- Get a local SIM or eSIM. A local SIM card makes emergency calls and directions much easier.
- Download offline maps. Apps like Maps.me or OsmAnd are essential for offline navigation in the medinas, so you can pinpoint your location even without data.
- Save the numbers now. Put 112, 19, 15, 150, and 177 in your phone before you fly.
- Know your embassy details. Note the address and phone number of your country’s embassy or consulate in Morocco before you travel.
- Keep document copies. Store photos of your passport, insurance, and any prescriptions in your email and on your phone.
- Carry travel insurance details. Have your policy number and your insurer’s emergency assistance line handy.
The Country Code and Calling From Abroad
If you need to call a Moroccan landline (like your riad or a clinic), note that Morocco’s international dialing code is +212, which you dial before the local number when calling from abroad. When converting a local number, dial your international prefix, then 212, then the local number without its leading zero, so a landline like 0524 38 90 00 becomes +212 524 38 90 00.
Be Prepared, Not Paranoid
Marrakech is a safe and welcoming city for the vast majority of visitors, and you’ll very likely never need any of these numbers. But a few minutes of preparation buys real peace of mind.
Save the key emergency numbers in Morocco, especially 112, keep copies of your documents, get a local SIM, and know that the tourist police near Jemaa el-Fnaa are there to help if anything goes wrong.
Travel prepared rather than paranoid, and you’ll be free to enjoy everything the Red City has to offer with total confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main emergency number in Morocco?
The universal emergency number is 112, which works from any mobile phone and connects you to all emergency services. Because 911 does not work in Morocco, 112 is the number to remember.
What is the police number in Marrakech?
Dial 19 for the police in Marrakech and other cities, or 177 for the Royal Gendarmerie in rural areas and on highways. From a mobile, 112 also reaches the police.
What is the ambulance number in Morocco?
Medical emergency numbers include 15 (which also covers the fire brigade) and 150 (SAMU medical services). Published sources vary, so in a real emergency dial 112 first, as it connects to all services, and confirms local numbers with your accommodation.
Is there tourist police in Marrakech?
Yes. The Brigade Touristique operates 24/7 to help visitors with scams, harassment, and theft. In Marrakech, the station is located just off Jemaa el-Fnaa square, and staff often speak English and French.
What should I do if my passport is stolen in Marrakech?
File a free police report (procès-verbal) at the nearest police or tourist police station, then take it to your embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document within one to three business days. Keep copies of your passport to speed this up.
Does 911 work in Morocco?
No. 911 does not operate in Morocco. Use 112 from a mobile phone, or the specific service numbers: 19 for police, 15 or 150 for medical and fire.
