One distracted moment on the Marquês de Pombal roundabout, and suddenly you are standing by the road in a reflective vest. A car accident is annoying anywhere. In a new country, you also face a foreign language, unfamiliar forms and different procedures.

The good news: the Portuguese system is clearly organised once you know the steps.

What to do after a car accident in Portugal?

Secure the scene with hazard lights, a reflective vest and a warning triangle. If anyone is injured, call 112 immediately. For minor damage where both drivers agree, fill in the Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel (DAAA) together, either on paper or in the e-SEGURNET app. Take photos of the damage, vehicle positions, number plates and surroundings. Write down witness contact details. Then report the claim to your insurer within eight days, unless your policy sets a different deadline.

By the way: the reflective vest and warning triangle are mandatory equipment in Portugal.

When do I have to call the police in Portugal?

Call the police via 112 if:

• someone is injured

• you cannot agree on how the accident happened

• the other driver cannot show proof of insurance or refuses to give their details

• the other driver leaves the scene

In Lisbon and other cities the PSP is responsible, in rural areas usually the GNR. The police report (auto de ocorrência) is an important document for your insurer later on.

Write down the names of the officers at the scene and the number plate of the police car. Also ask which police station is handling the case.

What is the Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel?

The DAAA is the Portuguese version of the European Accident Statement. Both drivers complete it together, tick the relevant circumstances, draw a sketch and sign. Each driver keeps a copy. You can get the form (with carbon copy) free of charge from your insurer or download it here.

Important: only sign what you understand and what is correct. If you disagree, do not sign, call the police instead.

A practical tip: the accident statement has the same layout across Europe. Keeping an English version in your glove compartment helps you match the fields on the Portuguese form.

Is there a digital version of the Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel?

Yes. The free e-SEGURNET app from the Associação Portuguesa de Seguradores replaces the paper form. Both drivers confirm with a code sent to their phones, and the report goes directly to the insurers involved. The app covers accidents in Portugal involving vehicles with Portuguese number plates and valid insurance. If a foreign vehicle is involved, the paper form is the safer choice.

Two tips:

• Install the app at home and enter your vehicle and insurance details in advance. You will thank yourself at the roadside.

• Even if you have Portuguese plates and the e-SEGURNET app, it does no harm to keep a paper DAAA in your glove compartment. Some older drivers find it hard to accept a report made in an app and prefer to hold a piece of paper.

How quickly do I have to report the accident to my insurer?

Under Portuguese law, the deadline in your insurance contract applies. If the contract does not set one, you must report the claim within eight days of becoming aware of it (Art. 100, Decreto-Lei 72/2008). Ideally, report it on the same day.

Settle in smoothly, on Portugal's roads too

Are you planning a move to Portugal or looking for support with the practical side of settling in, housing, and local bureaucracy? We guide you through every step and help you feel at home in Portugal quickly and confidently. Book a free initial consultation now, and together, we can find out how we can support your relocation to Lisbon and your life in Portugal.

As of September 2026

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