Emergency Numbers in Bali: Police, Ambulance, and Fire

When you live in Bali rather than visit it, knowing who to call in a genuine emergency is not optional knowledge. The Indonesian national emergency system works differently from what most Western expats expect, response times vary significantly by area, and language barriers can complicate even a straightforward call. Saving the right numbers now, before you ever need them, is one of the most practical things you can do in your first week as a resident.

The single most important number to know is 112, Indonesia's unified national emergency number, which routes calls to police, ambulance, or fire services depending on your need. It works from any mobile phone, including phones without a local SIM card, and operators are increasingly able to assist in basic English. That said, response quality and speed vary by district, and many experienced expats keep direct local numbers as a backup rather than relying solely on 112.

For police specifically, the national number is 110. In Bali, the Bali Provincial Police headquarters (Polda Bali) is reachable at (0361) 424346. For the Denpasar city police (Polresta Denpasar), try (0361) 424346 or (0361) 227711. Ubud area residents should save the Gianyar Police number at (0361) 943110. Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian fall under Badung Regency Police, reachable at (0361) 751111. Always note your banjar and street name before calling, because Bali's addressing system is famously difficult to communicate under pressure.

For ambulance services, the national emergency number 118 connects to the government ambulance system, though response times to villa addresses outside main urban areas can be 30 to 60 minutes or longer. BIMC Hospital in Kuta operates its own 24-hour emergency line at (0361) 761263 and is widely regarded as the most reliable first-call option for expats on the south side of the island. BIMC Nusa Dua can be reached at (0361) 3000911. Kasih Ibu Hospital in Denpasar runs a 24-hour emergency department at (0361) 223036. Siloam Hospitals Bali in Denpasar is reachable at (0361) 779900. For residents in Ubud and central Bali, BIMC has a clinic in Ubud at (0361) 974911, though serious cases are usually transferred south.

For fire emergencies, the Bali fire brigade (Dinas Pemadam Kebakaran) central number is 113. The Denpasar fire department can also be contacted directly at (0361) 222222. Response times to villas in rural or hillside areas can be significant, so fire prevention habits, working smoke detectors, and knowing your nearest fire extinguisher location matter more in Bali than in many expats' home countries.

Beyond government services, most long-term expats rely on a combination of their international health insurance provider's emergency hotline and a private hospital direct line. International SOS (ISOS) operates a clinic in Nusa Dua and provides evacuation services; their Bali line is (0361) 710505. AEA International, now operating under Allianz Partners in some markets, has historically provided similar evacuation and medical coordination services. Confirm your insurer's specific emergency contact when you enroll, and keep it in your phone under a name like INSURANCE EMERGENCY so it is findable under stress.

Medical evacuation is a real consideration for Bali residents, not a dramatic worst case. Bali's hospitals handle many conditions well, but complex cardiac events, serious trauma, and neurosurgical emergencies often require transfer to Singapore, with full medical evacuation costs ranging from roughly IDR 150,000,000 to IDR 500,000,000 (approximately USD 9,000 to USD 30,000) depending on the type of transport and destination, as of 2026, confirm current rates. This is precisely why comprehensive health insurance with evacuation cover is considered non-negotiable in the expat community here.

In a medical emergency, the documents that matter most are your passport or KITAS, your health insurance card or policy number, any known allergy information, and your blood type. Writing these details on a small laminated card to keep in your wallet is a habit many long-term residents adopt after their first close call. BIMC and Siloam are accustomed to dealing with expat patients and can often bill international insurers directly, but many government hospitals will expect payment or a deposit upfront.

For mental health crises, Indonesia does not yet have a well-publicized dedicated crisis line comparable to those in Australia or the UK. Into The Light Indonesia operates a suicide prevention line at 119 ext 8 nationally. The Bali expat community also maintains informal peer support networks through Facebook groups such as Bali Expats and Seminyak Expats, where members can recommend English-speaking mental health professionals quickly. This is an area where the formal emergency infrastructure is genuinely lacking and community networks fill the gap.

Neighborhood-level contacts are underrated by new arrivals. Your local banjar head (kelian banjar) is often the fastest person to mobilize local help, find your address, or communicate with police on your behalf in Bahasa Indonesia. Building a basic relationship with your banjar is not just culturally respectful, it is practically smart. Similarly, your landlord or property manager often has established contacts with local services and should be on your emergency contact list.

A practical tip many expats learn the hard way: save all emergency numbers in your phone with the prefix EMERGENCY so they sort together alphabetically. Include EMERGENCY AMBULANCE BIMC, EMERGENCY POLICE BADUNG, EMERGENCY FIRE 113, and EMERGENCY INSURANCE. Share your location pin in Google Maps rather than trying to describe your address during a call. Bali's rural addressing is often a combination of banjar name, street name, and landmark, and even locals can struggle to direct emergency services to unfamiliar villas.

Finally, review and update your emergency contacts list every six months. Hospital direct lines in Bali do change, new facilities open (BIMC has expanded, Siloam has added locations), and your insurance provider may update its emergency protocols. The five minutes spent checking these numbers twice a year is genuinely worthwhile. Consider sharing your updated list with a trusted neighbor or fellow expat who can act on your behalf if you are incapacitated.