A Step by Step Guide on How to File A Police Report in Portugal
Unfortunately, Antonio and I earned our “A Step by Step Guide on How to File A Police Report in Portugal” badge last year. Someone got into our building in June and stole not only our bike, but a lot of bikes in our building. Needless to say, we ended up filing a police report for his stolen bike at the “local” police department. Here’s how it went down:
Filing A Police Report in Portugal
Where to File A Police Report in Portugal
This was probably the hardest thing to do because we had a hard time finding our police station. As most of you know we live in Avenidas Novas. We stupidly assumed that our closest police station was the Municipal Police Department on Rua Cardeal Saraiva. It turns out this was not the right place. They directed us to the office of the 21st squadron in Campolide. Not officially our police station, but the closest to our home. The told us there that most people from our neighborhood usually go there to file their reports. However, this is not the only place where you can file a police report in Portugal. Here are other places where you can file it:
- A PSP station
- A GNR station
- A PJ station.
- The Public Prosecution Service.
- You can also file a police report digitally on the PPS website.
What Situations Can I File a Police Report For?
Filing the report was actually not hard, but it took what seemed like forever.
- Public crimes: Anyone can file a police report for these, even if they aren’t the victim of the crime and even if the victim does not file a report (so for example if you see someone beating their wife or elderly parent).
- Semi-public crimes (this was our case, we didn’t see the theft). In this case, the report needs to be made by the victim or his/her legal representative.
- Private crimes. In this case, the victim him/herself must file the report.
How to File A Police Report In Portugal
Filing the report was actually not hard, but it took what seemed like forever. We basically walked into the station, let the officer at the front know that our bike was stolen and that we wanted to file a report. They let us into the station and into an office with an officer who asked us all the questions pertaining to the crime. When we were done, we got a copy of the report. It was quite simple.
How Much Time Do I Have to File A Police Report In Portugal?
We reported the case as soon as we knew our bike was stolen (I think it was the next day). For semi-public and private crimes), the report must be filed within 6 months of the crime. In 6 months and one day, you’re out of luck.
How Much Does it Cost to File A Police Report In Portugal?
Good News…For us it was free. The only time you have to pay to report a crime is when it comes to private crimes. In this case, there is a small court fee.
Should I Bring a Lawyer to File A Police Report In Portugal?
You can, but you don’t have to.
Will Anything Come Out of Filing a Police Report?
lol…in most cases no. We didn’t actually expect anything from filing a police report for the theft of our bike, but we needed it for our insurance and we wanted to report it since someone got inside our building. My friend Nuno told me that his dad’s store was broken into and that it took over 10 years for anything to come from the police report. I feel this is the case for non-violent crimes…but I have only lived here for 4 years and so far, Lisbon is super safe…so I am glad not to have the need to find out this info for violent cases.
What To Do If You Are a US Citizen and a Victim of a Crime in Portugal.
I got this information from the US Embassy in Portugal. First, contact your closest US Embassy or Consulate. Here’s the copypasta from their website:
- Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found here or by going to our individual Country Specific Information pages.
- To contact the Department of State in the U.S. call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. or Canada) or (202) 501-4444 (from overseas).
- Contact the local police to report the incident and get immediate help. Request a copy of the police report.