What to do when something goes wrong in Uzbekistan: emergency numbers, the Safe Tourism hotline and tourist police, a lost passport and exit permission, private clinics, insurance claims and the common small scams, as of November 2026.
Facts, prices and schedules checked on November 4, 2026
Uzbekistan is a safe country for visitors, and serious problems are rare. Most travellers meet nothing worse than a lost phone charger. But it is sensible to know in advance whom to call, because a medical issue or a lost passport in a language you do not speak is the worst time to start searching.
This guide sets out the emergency numbers, the tourist police and Safe Tourism line, the steps after a lost passport, how private clinics work, what insurers will ask for, and the few small scams worth recognising. It is current as of November 2026. Numbers and procedures change, so save the list on your phone and check the official sources before you travel.
Emergency numbers to save
Uzbekistan has a unified number and the older individual lines, and the two systems run side by side.
- 112: the unified emergency number, which sources say covers all services. Reports differ on when it was introduced, so treat it as usable and keep the specific numbers as a backup.
- 101: fire
- 102: police
- 103: ambulance
- 1050: the Ministry of Emergency Situations rescue line, reported by several sources
- 1173: the Safe Tourism call centre, listed in the Interior Ministry directory and described by the UK government as a 24-hour line with English-speaking operators. One Uzbek tourism source lists a different tourist line, 1163, so save both and see which answers.
Dial from a local SIM. From abroad the country code is +998. If your phone has no signal, ask your hotel to call; reception staff in hotels and guesthouses are used to this.
Tourist police in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva
Uzbekistan has a tourist police presence in the main tourist cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, as well as Tashkent. Officers in a distinct uniform and vehicles patrol around the key sights and some speak English. They are the right people to approach for a stolen bag, a dispute with a taxi driver or directions to a police station when you need a report.
Practical points:
- Ask your hotel to phone the tourist police if you prefer not to go alone.
- For an insurance claim you will need an official police report, called a protocol or certificate, with the date, location and a description of the loss. Ask for a copy and check the stamp.
- Be patient. Procedures can be slow, and a translator helps. Your guide, hotel or the 1173 line can support you.
What to do if you lose your passport
Losing a passport is stressful but manageable. The steps are broadly the same in every case:
- Report the loss to the police and get a written confirmation.
- Contact your embassy or consulate. Many countries have no embassy in Tashkent and cover Uzbekistan from Almaty, Astana or elsewhere, so call the number on your government's travel advice site. Embassies can issue an emergency travel document if a replacement cannot be produced in time.
- Check exit requirements. The UK embassy notes that visitors who entered Uzbekistan on a visa need to obtain exit permission from the local authorities before leaving; other nationalities should confirm the rule for their own category with their embassy or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- Keep a photocopy and a phone photo of your passport and registration slip. They speed up every step.
Allow several days for replacement documents and build slack into onward flights. Travel insurance often covers the cost of the replacement and the hotel nights.
Clinics and hospitals for travellers
State hospitals handle emergencies, but most foreign visitors prefer private clinics, which are concentrated in Tashkent and offer English-speaking staff, quicker appointments and payment by card or cash. Samarkand and Bukhara also have private clinics, though with a narrower range.
How to approach it:
- Call your insurer first. Many insurers have an assistance line which can direct you to a clinic and, for large costs, arrange direct payment.
- Ask your hotel or guide for a recommendation. They know which clinics have English speakers.
- Keep receipts, prescriptions, the doctor's name and a written diagnosis for the claim.
- For serious illness or injury, insurers may recommend evacuation to a larger centre abroad. Check that your policy includes medical evacuation.
Our guide to health, tap water and travel insurance covers cover levels and common stomach issues. A day of rehydration salts and rest solves most of them; seek help if symptoms last more than 48 hours or you have a fever.
Insurance claims: what to carry and keep
Insurers pay on documents. Before you go, save the policy number, the 24-hour assistance number and the claim form on your phone. When something happens:
- Notify the insurer early, within the time limit in your policy.
- Obtain a police report for theft or loss, and a medical report for illness.
- Keep original receipts, boarding passes and the airline's delay letter.
- Photograph damage and keep the item if the insurer asks to see it.
Hard-to-replace items, such as cameras and laptops, should be listed on the policy with a value.
Common small scams and how to avoid them
Uzbekistan has little violent crime against visitors, and the problems are mostly small and commercial.
- Taxis without a meter. Agree a price before you get in, or use a ride-hailing app, which shows the price in advance. Our guide to getting around the cities explains the apps.
- Bazaar change. Count the notes slowly, especially when large denominations of som are involved. Prices are negotiated, and asking twice is normal.
- Street money changers. Offers on the street are better than the bank rate for a reason. Use banks and licensed exchange offices; our money guide explains the rates.
- Unlicensed guides and drivers who approach at stations. Book through your hotel or a licensed operator.
- Phones and bags in crowded places such as Chorsu Bazaar and the metro. Use a front pocket or a cross-body bag.
If a situation feels uncomfortable, say no politely, walk into a shop or hotel and ask for help. Staff will usually step in.
Heat, traffic and earthquakes
Three risks matter more than crime. Summer heat in Khiva, Bukhara and the desert can pass 40 degrees from June to August; plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon, drink water regularly and use a hat. Road traffic is the more serious everyday hazard: drivers are fast, pedestrian crossings are not always respected and seat belts are not always fitted in the back of taxis. Cross with care and ask for a belt.
Uzbekistan is also in an active seismic zone, as the 1966 Tashkent earthquake showed. Modern hotels are built to code, and tremors are mostly small. If you feel one, move away from windows, shelter under a sturdy table or in a doorway and follow staff instructions.
Fire and hotel safety are worth a minute at check-in: note the exit, and keep your passport, phone and a small light within reach at night.
A lost or stolen phone
A lost phone is the most common loss. Report it to the police if you need a report for the insurer, call your carrier to block the SIM, and use the device's remote lock or find-my-phone service. Local SIM cards are tied to your passport at registration, so a blocked SIM can be replaced with the same documents. Our SIM and eSIM guide covers the options. Keep backup copies of photos and documents in the cloud so that a theft does not cost you the trip's memories.
How our guests reach us
Travellers on our tours get a local contact number for the length of the trip, with someone who can speak with a hotel, a clinic or the police on your behalf. For independent travellers, the advice above applies: save the numbers, keep copies of documents and tell your hotel if you are unwell.
Before you travel: a short checklist
- Save 112, 102, 103 and 1173 in your phone, plus your embassy's emergency number.
- Carry a photo of your passport, visa or entry stamp and hotel registration slips, stored separately from the originals.
- Check that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation and any activities you plan, such as hiking or cycling.
- Bring enough of any prescription medicine, with a note from your doctor.
- Tell someone at home your itinerary, and share your hotel names with them.
- Keep some US dollars or euros in reserve for emergencies, since cash is still the easiest currency to solve problems with.
How TourEast can help
If you want the extra safety margin of a guide and a driver on call, our private tours include a local contact number and a plan for medical and administrative help. Ask us about it when you plan your trip.
