Emergency Medical Care in Chile

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In a medical emergency in Chile, the first thing to know is that you will be treated. Chilean law requires all emergency departments — public and private — to attend to patients regardless of insurance status. You can sort out payment later.

Emergency numbers

• 131 — SAMU (ambulance, public emergency medical service). This is the number to call for any medical emergency. Response times vary: 10-20 minutes in Santiago, longer in rural areas.
• 132 — Bomberos (fire department). They also respond to accidents and rescues.
• 133 — Carabineros (police). Call for accidents, crimes, or if you need police assistance at the scene.

If you have private insurance (ISAPRE), your provider likely has its own ambulance service or emergency hotline. Check your ISAPRE card for the number and save it in your phone. Private ambulances are faster in Santiago but not available everywhere.

Where to go

Private clinics (clínicas) have the best emergency departments — shorter wait times, modern equipment, and often English-speaking staff. If you have ISAPRE or international insurance, these are your first choice. The main ones in Santiago:

• Clínica Alemana (Vitacura) — Generally considered the best emergency department
• Clínica Las Condes (Las Condes)
• Clínica UC Christus (Santiago Centro and Las Condes)
• Clínica Santa María (Providencia)
• Clínica Dávila (Recoleta)

Public hospitals handle emergencies at lower cost but with longer wait times. The major ones in Santiago are Hospital del Salvador, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, and Hospital Barros Luco. Non-life-threatening cases can wait several hours in the public system.

Outside Santiago, the options are more limited. Regional hospitals are the main emergency providers. Private clinics exist in major cities (Valparaíso, Concepción, La Serena) but may not have full emergency capabilities.

What to expect

When you arrive at an emergency department, you will go through triage — a nurse assesses the severity of your condition and prioritizes accordingly. Life-threatening cases go first, regardless of when you arrived.

You will be asked for your Chilean ID (or passport), insurance information, and to sign a pagaré — a payment guarantee form. Do not panic about the pagaré; it is standard procedure and does not mean you are paying the full amount upfront. Your insurance will be billed.

If you do not speak Spanish, private clinics are more likely to have English-speaking staff. In public hospitals, you may need someone to translate. Having a friend, colleague, or your relocation agent's number handy is wise.

Costs

Emergency care costs vary significantly between public and private:

• Public hospital emergency visit: CLP 10,000-50,000 with FONASA. Without insurance, CLP 50,000-200,000 depending on treatment.
• Private clinic emergency visit: CLP 100,000-300,000 before insurance. With a mid-range ISAPRE plan, your copayment is typically CLP 30,000-100,000.
• Ambulance (SAMU): Free for public service. Private ambulance: CLP 50,000-200,000.

Hospitalization following an emergency visit is where costs escalate quickly. This is why CAEC coverage on your ISAPRE plan is essential — it caps your out-of-pocket costs for catastrophic events.

If you are a tourist without Chilean insurance, you will pay full price and need to claim from your travel insurance afterward. Keep all receipts and documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emergency Medical Care in Chile

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