2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of 112, the phone number that allows free contact with emergency services in all the countries forming the European Union. This number was established in 1991 in response to a request from EU citizens to assist in the protection of travellers and provide help in case of accident. However, 20 years after the creation of this service, only 25% of Europeans know that this number can be used across the EU.

The '112, Número Europeu de Emergência' ATMs could be obtained from automatic distributors in Correios post offices and postal kiosks, from October 11th 2011, although -as usual for the latest series- very few machines offered them on that day, and the changeover was gradual over the following 2 weeks.

The design of the new labels is by Ana Bela Silva, in a simple composition including the 112 service logo on the left, PORTUGAL and CORREIOS in the upper right corner, and the usual black optical scanning bars on the right edge.

The rolls of self-adhesive labels were printed, by offset, and manufactured by the Portuguese company Litho Formas Portuguesa. The Amiel, SMD and NewVision Epost vending machines use rolls of labels, size 55 x 30 mm., whilst the Crouzet distributors use more elongated rolls of labels, size 80 x 30 mm. Each label has a preprinted sequential number on the back of the waxed paper.

The 7 values programmed into the majority of Amiel, SMD and NewVision machines, on the date of issue, were: 0.32, 0.53, 0.57, 0.68 and 0.80 EUR, and CORREIO AZUL 0.47 and 1.85 EUR. However, there are ATMs issued by Amiel and SMD distributors with other values, because of a programming error, or due to a button with another postal rate. There are also NewVision ATMs with yet other values, coming from programming errors in E-Post 2000 machines or from the large list of possible values ​​available from the E-Post 2000 M distributors.

The majority of ATM distributors still in service on the date of issue were fitted with black ink cartridges, although there are a few machines using purple-violet ink cartridges.

		ATMs with the first values of Correio Normal (Normal - priority mail) and Correio Azul (Express post) issued by the AMIEL vending machines, using black printing.

		ATMs with the basic values of Correio Normal and Correio Azul issued by the NEWVISION vending machine, black printing.

		ATMs with the basic values of Correio Normal and Correio Azul issued by the SMD vending machine, black printing.

The, now, almost non existent Crouzet distributors in Portugal offer the basic values for domestic normal (0.32 EUR) and express mail (CORREIO AZUL 0.47 EUR, for this issue), just by pressing a button in the main menu. The remaining values, starting from a programmed minimum value, can be obtained by keying in the amount, or by using the scales and indicating the destination and type of shipment. However, it is possible to obtain ATMs with any face value starting from EUR 0.01, when the distributor does not have the right coins for change. In this case, the machine offers the user a stamp.
If required, the machine can issue a receipt for the sale, printed on another identical self-adhesive label.

Correio Normal and Correio Azul ATMs sold by a CROUZET distributor, impression in black

Right picture, Official first day cover (1º dia de Circulação), with the 5-valueset of Correio Normal issued by an Amiel vending machine - black imprint, and Lisboa commemorative postmark. Below, detail of the Lisboa first day postmark. As usual, the philatelic service prepared commemorative postmarks for Lisbon and Porto, for this issue.

Postal rates (EUR) programmed into the Amiel, NewVision and SMD vending machines

,	Correio normal						Correio Azul
Change of postal rates	Domestic, up to 20 g. normalized	Domestic, up to 100 g.		Spain, up to 20 g.	Europe, except Spain, up to 20 g.	Rest of the world, up to 20 g.	Domestic, up to 20 g. normalized	International up to 20 g.
1.1.2002	0.27	0.45		0.46	0.54	0.70	0.43	1.75
1.1.2003	0.30	0.46		0.47	0.55	0.70	0.43	1.75
	Domestic, up to 20 g. normalized	Domestic, from 20 to 50 g. normalized	Domestic, up to 100 g. *	Spain, up to 20 g.	Europe, except Spain, up to 20 g.	Rest of the world, up to 20 g.	Domestic, up to 20 g. normalized	International up to 20 g.
1.1.2004	0.30	0.45	0.48	0.48	0.56	0.72	0.45	1.75
1.1.2005	0.30	0.46	0.49	0.48	0.57	0.74	0.45	1.75
1.5.2006	0.30	0.48	0.50	0.52	0.60	0.75	0.45	1.80
1.1.2007	0.30	0.50	0.55	0.52	0.61	0.75	0.45	1.85
1.8.2008	0.31	0.55	0.60	0.57	0.67	0.80	0.47	1.85
1.1.2009	0.32	0.54	0.60	0.57	0.68	0.80	0.47	1.85
1.6.2010	0,32	0,53	0,60	0,57	0,68	0,80	0,47	1,85
* This value appeared from 2005, programmed into some of the Amiel, NewVision and SMD ATM vending machines, instead of the value of Domestic Correio normal (inland normal mail) between 20 and 50 g.