SOS, I've had an accident in the Balearics: the guide to the right reflexes

If you have an accident in the Balearics, the steps fit in four moves: secure the scene, call 112 (the single emergency number), give a clear location with the island's name and a landmark, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger. On the road, you also fill in the joint accident report and note the other driver's details. The rest is calm and method.

The Balearics' 112 service, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, handles all emergencies, medical, road and security. In 2025, it coordinated more than 143,000 incidents. Worth knowing exactly what to do before you become one of them.

The first move: secure the scene and call 112

First, get to safety and protect the scene, a hi-vis vest, a warning triangle, hazard lights if it is on the road. Then call 112, which dispatches fire crews, ambulances and police. For a purely medical emergency, you can also reach the 061 emergency medical service, but 112 stays the simplest entry point. On the phone, be precise: the island, the municipality, the road or the cala, a landmark, the number of injured and their condition. Location is the weak point of accidents on small roads and in coves, so check a sign, a kilometre marker, or your position on your phone.

Where are the emergency departments, by island?

Each island has its reference hospitals. In a serious injury, emergency services direct you to the right facility, sometimes with a transfer to Mallorca for the most severe cases.

Son Espases, in Palma, is the archipelago's reference hospital, notably for major trauma.

Road accident: paperwork and the accident report

If no one is injured, move the vehicles to a safe spot and fill in the joint accident report (parte amistoso) with the other driver, backed by photos and the vehicles' positions. Note each other's plate, insurance and identity. If there are injuries, disagreement, or a driver who flees, alert the Guardia Civil de Trafico on the road or the local police in town, via 112. Keep your licence, vehicle registration and insurance certificate to hand, documents we recommend preparing in our guide to driving a car in the Balearics.

Pitfalls specific to the archipelago

Three island-specific points. First, small mountain roads and cove access tracks are hard to pinpoint, hence the importance of a precise landmark. Second, in summer, the tourist influx saturates emergency departments, especially in Ibiza, which lengthens waits for non-critical cases. Third, on smaller islands like Formentera, a serious case can require a medical transfer to Ibiza or Mallorca, worth anticipating mentally. Nothing to worry about, just realities worth knowing.

Afterwards: insurance and paperwork

Report the accident to your insurer within the deadline, with the report and photos. For care, your IB-Salut card covers you if you are a resident; if you are an EU or Irish citizen still settling in, your EHIC covers you in the meantime, while non-EU newcomers (British, American) rely on the private insurance their visa required, as we explain in our guide to the first 90 days. Keep every medical document and report, useful for your insurer and for any follow-up care.

Frequently asked questions

Which number should you call for an accident in the Balearics?

112, the single emergency number that coordinates rescue services, ambulances and police. For a medical emergency, the 061 emergency medical service is also available, but 112 works in every case.

Should you move an injured person?

No, unless there is immediate danger such as a fire. Keep them warm, reassure them, and wait for help, avoiding any movement of the neck or back.

What if the other driver refuses to fill in the report?

Note their plate, take photos, look for witnesses, and call 112 to bring in the Guardia Civil de Trafico or the local police. Do not leave without evidence.

Are emergency departments overwhelmed in summer?

They can be, especially in Ibiza in high season. For a non-critical issue, a health centre or the 061 service can direct you faster than heading straight to A&E.

Emergency numbers and procedures change; always confirm current details with official sources. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.