Good to know · Emergencies

Urgent care vs ER and emergency numbers

Osakidetza steers non-vital urgencies to the PAC (Punto de Atención Continuada) and reserves hospital emergency departments for serious cases; 112 is for life-threatening emergencies.

Why it matters

Choosing the right door saves time and keeps ERs free for serious cases.

When

Illness or injury out of health-center hours, or an emergency.

Last checked

7 Oct 2026

Cost: Not stated

What you need

• TIS and ID (DNI/passport) for PAC visits; no appointment needed (PAC page).

Steps

1. Need advice?
   Call Consejo Sanitario 900 20 30 50, 24 h.
2. Non-vital urgency, center closed
   Go to your PAC (first service to go to). Find yours via the Osakidetza PAC page by province/OSI.
3. Serious emergency
   Hospital urgencias 'only for serious emergencies' per Osakidetza poster.
4. Life-threatening
   Call 112.

Where

• Puntos de Atención Continuada (PAC)
  https://www.osakidetza.euskadi.eus/informacion/puntos-de-atencion-continuada-pac/webosk00-oskcon/es/
• Emergencias Araba
  945 24 44 44
• Emergencias Bizkaia
  944 10 00 00
• Emergencias Gipuzkoa
  943 46 11 11

Tips

• The Osakidetza poster lists the three provincial numbers as home care/emergency continuity numbers; the layout is unclear which number serves which service, so verify before relying on them.

Official sources

• Puntos de Atención Continuada
• Poster: use health resources responsibly (PDF)
• Emergencias

Do these first

• Get your Osakidetza health card (TIS)