Emergency Contacts & Help in Taiwan as a Foreigner 2026: 110, 119, 1925, 1955
We collected current 2026 hotline information from the Ministry of the Interior, National Police Agency, Ministry of Health and Welfare's emergency response unit, Ministry of Labor Migrant Worker Hotline, plus current English-support availability at each line. "Most emergency lines have at least basic English coverage in 2026 — the bigger trap is calling the wrong number for the situation" — that's the operational shape of foreigner emergency response in Taiwan.
For foreigners in Taiwan, the right emergency contact often isn't 110 or 119.
Taiwan has a parallel set of helplines for migrant workers, lost passports, mental health crises, and natural disasters, with varying levels of English support.
This guide lists what to call for which situation, what to say in English vs basic Mandarin, and the practical preparation that makes the difference when an emergency actually happens — from earthquakes to lost wallets to mental-health crises.
The Essential Numbers (Memorize Top 5)
The most important emergency numbers, in order of likely use:
| Number | What for | Language support |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Police, crime, lost passport reporting, general safety | Basic English; varies by dispatcher |
| 119 | Ambulance, fire, urgent medical | Basic English; ambulance crews mixed |
| 1925 | Mental health crisis, suicide prevention | Limited English; Chinese mainly |
| 1955 | Migrant worker hotline (multi-language) | Full English/Vietnamese/Thai/Indonesian/Filipino |
| 0800-024-111 | Foreign Affairs Police English service | English specifically |
The 1955 line is operated by the Ministry of Labor and was originally for Southeast Asian migrant workers, but is now widely usable by any foreigner needing English-language assistance for civic or labor issues.
Police and Crime (110 vs Other Routes)
110 is the main number, but the Foreign Affairs Police service line (0800-024-111) is specifically designed for foreigners and operates in English.
Use 110 for:
- Immediate threats: assault, robbery, break-in
- Traffic accidents
- Reporting a crime in progress
- Lost children
- Loud-noise complaints
Use the Foreign Affairs Police (0800-024-111) for:
- Lost passport reporting (the formal first step before embassy)
- Visa expiration / immigration questions
- Crime report follow-up in English
- Translation help during a police interaction
If you're in Taipei, walking into a 派出所 (local police substation) for a non-emergency report is often easier than calling. Substation officers are required to take reports; English is hit-or-miss but Google Translate works well for written statements.
Ambulance and Medical Emergencies (119)
119 dispatches both fire and ambulance. Tell the operator "ambulance please" (or 救護車 in Mandarin) clearly at the start.
What to say in English (typical script):
- "Hello, I need an ambulance" / "I need help, medical emergency"
- Address — speak slowly, use English street names where possible; have your Chinese address ready on phone
- "I am a foreigner, my Mandarin is limited"
- Person's condition: "unconscious" / "having chest pain" / "fell from height" / "stroke"
If you live in Taiwan long-term, prepare a small card in your wallet with your Chinese address, blood type, allergies, emergency contact's number, and your NHI number. This is invaluable if you're the one having the emergency.
Mental Health (1925) and Crisis Resources
1925 (安心專線) is the suicide prevention and mental health crisis line. English support is limited; if you need English-language mental health help, Adventist Hospital's Pastoral Counseling and several private bilingual therapists are the standard alternatives.
Mental-health emergency resources:
| Resource | Number / Contact | Language |
|---|---|---|
| 1925 安心專線 | 1925 | Mandarin primarily; basic English |
| Lifeline 生命線 | 1995 | Mandarin primarily; volunteer English |
| Teen Helpline 張老師 | 1980 | Mandarin |
| Adventist Pastoral Counseling | Via Taipei Adventist Hospital appointment | English available |
| Community Services Center Taipei | (02) 2836-8134 | English; expat-oriented |
| Crisis Text Line Taiwan | Limited availability | Mandarin |
The Community Services Center (CSC) in Tianmu, Taipei, is run by and for the expat community and is the most reliable English-language mental-health resource in Taiwan. They offer counseling and emergency support.
Migrant Worker Hotline (1955): More Useful Than Most Realize
Operated by the Ministry of Labor, 1955 was created for Southeast Asian migrant workers but provides labor-related assistance in 5 languages. The reach is broader than the name suggests.
What 1955 handles:
| Issue | What they do |
|---|---|
| Labor disputes | Mediate, escalate, refer to legal aid |
| Wage / contract violations | Investigate, report to Ministry of Labor |
| Workplace injury | Connect to labor insurance, emergency clinic |
| Employer disputes | Translation, mediation services |
| Sexual harassment at workplace | Refer to specific support service |
| Wage arrears | Direct intervention with employer |
The service runs 24/7 in Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Filipino, and English. For English-speaking foreigners, 1955 is often more useful than 110 for labor-rights situations.
Natural Disasters: Earthquake and Typhoon
Taiwan averages ~1,000 detectable earthquakes per year, with 5–10 felt by humans annually. Major typhoons land 1–4 times per year. Both have specific protocols.
Earthquake preparedness:
| Item | Where to keep |
|---|---|
| Emergency food (3-day) | Kitchen cabinet, dry storage |
| Drinking water (3 liters per person per day) | Pantry, accessible spot |
| Flashlight + spare batteries | Bedside table |
| Power bank for phone (10,000 mAh+) | Bedroom, fully charged |
| ID copies + emergency cash (NT$10,000+) | Sealed pouch in go-bag |
| Whistle | Go-bag |
| First aid kit | Bathroom or hallway closet |
During an earthquake:
- Drop, cover, hold on — under a sturdy table or against an interior wall.
- Do not run outside during shaking.
- After shaking stops, check for injuries, then check gas (smell test), then assess building structural integrity.
- Aftershocks usually follow major quakes for hours to days; the same protocol applies.
Typhoon preparation:
| Time before landing | Action |
|---|---|
| 72 hrs | Check news / weather; stock 3 days of food, water, medicine |
| 48 hrs | Tape windows (cross pattern); secure outdoor furniture |
| 24 hrs | Verify flashlight + battery; charge phones; download offline maps |
| Day-of | Stay indoors; avoid travel; monitor news |
| After passage | Wait for official "all clear" before going outside; flooding hazards persist |
The Central Weather Bureau (cwb.gov.tw) has English forecasts. The "Taiwan Earthquake Real-Time Information" app pushes earthquake alerts in English (set up immediately on arrival).
Lost Passport and Wallet
Lost passport requires reporting to local police (110 or visit a 派出所), then your embassy/consulate. Lost wallet with NHI card has its own procedure.
| Lost item | Where to start | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Police report → embassy/TECO replacement | New passport 1–4 weeks |
| ARC | NIA office for replacement (NT$500 fee) | 5–7 business days |
| NHI card | NHI office or online replacement | Use temporary slip immediately |
| Bank cards | Bank's lost-card line; in-person replacement | 1–2 weeks |
| Phone | Carrier lost-phone line; consider SIM card lock | Same day |
For lost passport specifically: police report first (you need the report number for embassy paperwork). For passports lost while traveling outside Taiwan, contact the nearest TECO/Taiwan rep office — they coordinate emergency travel docs back to Taiwan.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Specific hotlines provide trauma-informed support; the general 110 line handles immediate safety but is not the optimal first call for ongoing situations.
| Resource | Number | Language |
|---|---|---|
| 113 Women & Children Protection Hotline | 113 | Mandarin primarily; basic English |
| Garden of Hope Foundation | (02) 2828-6688 | Limited English |
| Rape Recovery Helpline | (02) 2362-3625 | Mandarin |
| Community Services Center Taipei | (02) 2836-8134 | English |
The Community Services Center and Garden of Hope cooperate on bilingual support; specific intake processes vary, but CSC handles the initial assessment in English well.
Where Emergency Systems Don't Cover
- Mental-health hospitalization on your own initiative: Voluntary admission requires Mandarin-capable communication with admitting physician; bring a bilingual companion if at all possible.
- Police investigations involving the accused: If you become a suspect, immediately request an English-speaking attorney through the Foreign Affairs Police; the Legal Aid Foundation has bilingual options.
- Embassy/consulate after hours: Most embassies have 24-hour duty officers but specific services (passport printing, etc.) are limited overnight.
- Specialized medical (e.g., rabies post-exposure): Major hospitals have stocks; rural hospitals may need to transfer; insist on transfer to a Level-1 hospital if in doubt.
- Lost-property recovery for tourists: If you've left Taiwan and need to retrieve forgotten items, most hotels coordinate; airport lost-and-found at TPE Terminal 1/2 holds items 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call emergency services from a foreign phone or roaming SIM? Yes. 110 and 119 work from any phone with a signal in Taiwan, even without a SIM card. If on roaming, additional charges may apply but the call connects.
Does 119 take me to the nearest hospital or one I choose? Generally the nearest emergency-equipped hospital. You can request a specific hospital, but the dispatcher may override for medical urgency. If you have a preferred English-friendly hospital, mention it; for non-critical situations the request is usually honored.
Will my NHI cover an ambulance ride? NHI does not cover ambulance fees separately for non-medical-necessity rides. Fire-department ambulance (the standard public ambulance) is free at the point of service for emergencies. Private ambulance services (used for inter-hospital transfers) charge NT$2,000–10,000 depending on distance.
What's the best emergency-prep app for foreigners? The Taiwan Earthquake Real-Time Information app (in English) plus the Central Weather Bureau app cover the two most common natural-disaster scenarios. The official 911 / 110 / 119 apps exist but are Mandarin-only; the foreign-friendly fallback is having the numbers in your phone speed-dial.
What to Actually Do Next
- Save these 5 numbers in your phone now: 110, 119, 1925, 1955, 0800-024-111. Use them as the "ICE" (in case of emergency) entries.
- Create a small wallet card with your Chinese address (in Chinese), blood type, allergies, emergency contact, NHI number.
- Install the Taiwan Earthquake Real-Time Information app and Central Weather Bureau app this week.
- Take 30 minutes to set up an emergency go-bag with the items listed; store somewhere accessible.
- Bookmark the Community Services Center Taipei (or the equivalent in your city's expat resource list) for the inevitable non-emergency-but-bilingual situation.
Related Reading
- Taiwan NHI for Foreigners 2026 — how NHI handles emergency room and hospitalization costs
- English-Speaking Doctors in Taiwan 2026 — hospitals with established English-language ER programs
- Living in Taiwan Complete Guide 2026 — daily-life context including building/utility emergency response
- Best Cities in Taiwan for Foreigners 2026 — typhoon and earthquake exposure varies by region