Taiwan Emergency Medical Guide (Traveler Version)
Overview
Taiwan's medical standards rank among the best in Asia, with emergency services operating 24 hours. Foreign travelers are not covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, meaning medical treatment is at the patient's own expense, with costs varying depending on the situation. This guide covers emergency phone numbers, major hospital information, travel insurance recommendations, and multilingual medical services to help travelers respond quickly in emergencies.
Essential Data
Emergency Contact Numbers
| Service | Phone | Service Hours | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Ambulance | 119 | 24 hours | Fire/Emergency通用 |
| Police (Emergency) | 110 | 24 hours | Robbery/Accident reporting |
| Food Safety Complaints | 1922 | 24 hours | Food poisoning/Food safety issues |
| MOHW Foreign Tourist Hotline | 0800-030-598 | Monday to Friday 09:00–22:00 | English/Japanese/Korean/Thai |
| Consumer Protection Hotline | 1950 | Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00 | Consumer disputes |
| Tourism Service Hotline | 0800-011-765 | Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 | Tourism-related inquiries |
Major Hospital Emergency Departments (Three Major Cities)
| City | Hospital Name | Address | Emergency Phone | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei | National Taiwan University Hospital | No. 1, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District | 02-2312-3456 | Taiwan's highest-level hospital |
| Taipei | Taipei Veterans General Hospital | No. 201, Section 2, Shipai Road, Beitou District | 02-2871-2121 | Large comprehensive |
| Taipei | Mackay Memorial Hospital | No. 92, Section 2, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District | 02-2543-3535 | English services available |
| Taichung | China Medical University Hospital | No. 2, Yude Road, North District | 04-2205-2121 | Largest in Taichung |
| Taichung | Taichung Veterans General Hospital | No. 1650, Section 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District | 04-2359-2525 | 24-hour emergency |
| Kaohsiung | Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital | No. 386, Dazhong 1st Road, Zuoying District | 07-342-2121 | Largest in Kaohsiung |
| Kaohsiung | Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Kaohsiung) | No. 123, Dapi Road, Niaosong District | 07-731-7123 | Excellent emergency services |
Emergency Wait Time Reference
| Hospital Level | Critical (P1) | Urgent (P2) | Semi-Urgent (P3) | General (P4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Center | Immediate | 10–30 minutes | 30–90 minutes | 1–4 hours |
| Regional Hospital | Immediate | 10–20 minutes | 20–60 minutes | 30–90 minutes |
| District Hospital | Immediate | 5–15 minutes | 15–45 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
Tip: Avoid going to medical center emergency departments for minor issues (fever/minor injuries), as wait times are extremely long. For minor conditions, consider visiting a clinic or pharmacy instead.
Details
Overview of Medical Costs for Foreigners
Taiwan foreign tourists do not have national health insurance; all costs are out-of-pocket:
| Medical Category | Out-of-pocket Cost (TWD) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic Consultation | TWD 300–700 | Common cold/minor illness |
| Regional Hospital Consultation | TWD 500–1,200 | Need to take a number and wait |
| Medical Center Consultation | TWD 800–2,000 | Requires referral or appointment |
| Emergency Registration Fee | TWD 450–900 | Depends on hospital level |
| X-ray/CT Scan | TWD 500–3,000 | Depends on body part |
| Hospitalization/Day (General Ward) | TWD 2,000–5,000 | Includes basic nursing care |
| Hospitalization/Day (Single Room) | TWD 5,000–15,000 | Recommended for foreign tourists |
| Surgery (General) | TWD 20,000–100,000+ | Depends on surgery type |
| Fracture Emergency | TWD 15,000–50,000 | Includes plaster/surgery |
Recommendation: Purchase travel insurance with overseas emergency medical coverage of TWD 200,000+ (approximately HKD 50,000).
Travel Insurance Recommendations
| Coverage Item | Recommended Coverage Amount | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas Emergency Medical | HKD 500,000–1,000,000 | Covers hospitalization/surgery |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | HKD 1,000,000+ | For air ambulance return to Hong Kong |
| Luggage Loss | HKD 20,000–50,000 | Includes delay compensation |
| Trip Cancellation | HKD 10,000–30,000 | Includes typhoon/natural disasters |
| Personal Accident | HKD 500,000–2,000,000 | Death/disability |
Taiwan Travel Insurance Recommended Sources (departing from Hong Kong/Macau):
- Blue Cross Travel Insurance
- Prudential Travel Insurance
- AXA Travel Insurance
- Klook Travel Insurance (add when purchasing tickets)
Pharmacy Purchase Guide
Pharmacies in Taiwan are divided into two categories:
| Type | Representative Brands | Operating Hours | Medications Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Drugstores | Watsons/Cosmed/Big Tree Pharmacy | 10:00–22:00 | General OTC medications, health supplements |
| Pharmacy (Pharmacist License) | Independent pharmacies nationwide | 09:00–21:00 | Some prescription drugs (consultation required) |
| Convenience Store | 7-11/FamilyMart | 24 hours | Basic medications (fever reducer/pain relief) |
Taiwan Common Medication Purchase Guide:
| Symptom | Recommended Medication | Cost (TWD) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever/Pain Relief | Panadol (equivalent) | TWD 80–150 | Also available at convenience stores |
| Stomach Discomfort | Seirogan/Intestinal regulator | TWD 100–200 | Purchase at pharmacy |
| Cold | Common cold medication | TWD 100–300 | Consult pharmacist |
| Allergy | Antihistamines | TWD 150–400 | Consult pharmacist required |
| Minor Injuries | Iodine/Band-aids | TWD 50–150 | Available at convenience stores |
| Diarrhea | Anti-diarrhea medication | TWD 100–200 | Purchase at pharmacy |
Foreign Language Medical Services
| Hospital/Service | Languages Available | Method |
|---|---|---|
| National Taiwan University Hospital | English | On-site interpreter, English medical records |
| Mackay Hospital | English, some Japanese | On-site |
| Chang Gung Hospital (Kaohsiung) | English | On-site |
| MOHW 1922 | English/Japanese/Korean/Thai | Phone consultation |
| Foreign Language Emergency Service 0800-030-598 | English/Japanese/Korean/Thai | Weekday business hours |
Cantonese/Mandarin: Most medical staff in Taiwan speak Chinese; communication in Mandarin is sufficient. Cantonese availability in Taipei depends on the doctor and is not guaranteed.
Important Notes
- When calling 119 in Taiwan, clearly state: your location (city/county + district + street + number), the nature of the emergency, and the number of patients
- Ambulance services in Taiwan are not free: fees will be charged upon arrival at the destination (approximately TWD 500–2,000 depending on distance)
- Foreign tourists seeking medical treatment in Taiwan should retain all receipts and file claims with their insurance company upon returning to Hong Kong/Macau
- Travelers with severe allergies (anaphylaxis): can request emergency room doctors in Taiwan to administer epinephrine
- Dental emergencies: Taiwan has high-quality dental clinics; emergency tooth extraction costs TWD 800–2,000, with generally short wait times
- Bringing medication into Taiwan: with a prescription and original packaging, customs clearance is generally smooth for up to 3 months' supply
Related Resources
- [[FactcheckDocs/TW/TW_datatable_taiwan_weather_travel_tips_v1]]
- [[FactcheckDocs/TW/TW_datatable_交通費率_v1]]
- [[KNOWLEDGE_MAP]]
Data Sources / Related Verification
The information in this article is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (TW_datatable_taiwan_emergency_medical_v1.md), referenced from publicly available official data and industry documents in the TW region. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
[[FactcheckDocs/TW/TW_datatable_taiwan_weather_travel_tips_v1]][[KNOWLEDGE_MAP]]
常見問題 Frequently Asked Questions
遇到急症時應先打什麼電話？
先打119，適用緊急救護與火警。若是報案或治安問題，則改打110。
外國旅客在台灣看診有健保保障嗎？
沒有台灣健保，外籍旅客需自費就醫。門診與住院費用皆依醫院等級與病情另計。
到台灣發燒很輕或小擦傷要去哪裡就醫？
建議先去診所或藥局諮詢，不建議直接去醫學中心急診。醫學中心更適合重症，等待時間通常較長。
台灣主要城市有哪些常用急診醫院？
可選台北的台大醫院、台北榮民總醫院、馬偕醫院；台中有中國醫藥大學附設醫院與台中榮民總醫院；高雄有高雄榮民總醫院與長庚紀念醫院。
急診時間上不同級別醫院有何差異？
醫學中心即時可視情況馬上處理，緊急約10–30分鐘；區域醫院即時5–15分鐘；地區醫院則多在5–15分鐘。一般病情等候時間依等級約30分鐘到4小時不等。
