Emergency Services and Safety in Argentina for British Expats

Argentina is a safe country for British expats who take sensible precautions. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main safety issues are petty theft in busy areas and the occasional protest or demonstration in central Buenos Aires. Knowing how the emergency system works gives you confidence rather than anxiety.

Emergency Numbers

Your prepaga (private health insurance) will also have a 24-hour emergency line. Save this in your phone. Private ambulance response is typically faster than the public 107 service in central Buenos Aires.

Hospitals

Private hospitals used by British expats:

• Hospital Británico (Buenos Aires) — Founded by the British community in 1844. Bilingual staff, accepts all major prepagas. Strong general medicine and maternity.
• Hospital Alemán (Buenos Aires) — Excellent private hospital with high standards. German-influenced but widely used by English-speaking expats.
• Fundación Favaloro (Buenos Aires) — World-class cardiology and cardiac surgery.
• Sanatorio de la Trinidad (various locations) — High-quality private hospital group.

Public hospitals: Argentina's public hospital system is free at the point of use, including for foreigners. Quality varies. The major public hospitals in Buenos Aires (Hospital de Clínicas, Hospital Fernández) are well-regarded but busy.

British Embassy and Consular Services

British Embassy Buenos Aires

• Address: Dr Luis Agote 2412, C1425EOF CABA
• Phone: +54 11 4808 2200
• Emergency out-of-hours: +54 11 4808 2200 (follow the prompts)
• Website: gov.uk/world/argentina

The Embassy can help with:

• Lost or stolen passports
• Emergency travel documents
• List of English-speaking lawyers and doctors
• Contacting family in the UK in an emergency
• Advice if you're arrested or detained

The Embassy cannot lend money, intervene in legal cases, or provide translation services.

Register with the Embassy

British nationals living in Argentina should register with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's online service (locate.gov.uk). This helps the Embassy contact you in an emergency and provides travel advisory updates.

Safety in Buenos Aires

Petty theft is the main concern in tourist and expat areas:

• Phone snatching from tables in outdoor cafes is common. Keep phones in pockets or bags, not on tables.
• Bag theft on buses and in crowded areas. Wear bags across your body, zips facing inward.
• Pickpocketing on the Subte (metro) during rush hour. Keep wallets in front pockets.

Areas to be cautious in:

• La Boca (outside Caminito tourist strip) — fine during the day with others, avoid alone after dark
• Constitución (train station area) — busy but has petty crime
• Parts of Once (shopping district) — crowded, keep valuables secure
• Retiro bus station area at night

Areas where British expats generally feel safe:

Palermo, Belgrano, Recoleta, Puerto Madero, San Isidro, Martínez, Nordelta. These are the neighbourhoods where most expats live, and they have a visible police presence and active street life.

Protests and Demonstrations

Argentina has a strong protest culture. Demonstrations are common in central Buenos Aires, particularly around Plaza de Mayo, Avenida 9 de Julio, and the Congreso area. They are usually peaceful but can disrupt traffic and public transport.

Avoid getting caught in the middle of protests. Check local news (Buenos Aires Herald in English) for planned demonstrations.

Natural Disasters

Argentina is not prone to major natural disasters. Occasional flooding affects some Buenos Aires suburbs after heavy rain. The Andean region (Mendoza, San Juan) has low-level earthquake risk. Volcanic activity in the far south is minimal and rarely affects populated areas.

Worth reading next

• Healthcare in Argentina for UK Expats: A Complete Guide
• Safety in Argentina for British Expats: A Realistic Assessment
• British Embassy Buenos Aires: Services and Registration