You must call the police (PSP or GNR) whenever anyone is injured in an accident in Portugal, it is a legal requirement, and you should also call them when there is no agreement on what happened, when you suspect alcohol or drugs, when the other driver is uninsured, refuses to identify themselves or drives off, or when public property is damaged. For a minor bump with no injuries and full agreement, the European Accident Statement is usually enough. Here is each situation in turn.

Who to call: PSP or GNR?

Portugal has two police forces dealing with road accidents. Broadly, the PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) covers cities and towns, and the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) covers the rest of the country, including most main roads and motorways. You do not need to know which one to call: in an urgent situation, dial 112 and the call is routed to the right force. In non-urgent cases, you can contact the local PSP station (esquadra) or GNR post (posto).

The police do not decide who was at fault: that is for the insurers and, if there is a dispute, the courts or an arbitration centre. What they do is record the facts impartially: they identify those involved, describe the scene and damage, take witness statements and, where appropriate, carry out alcohol and drug tests. The insurer can later ask for this record, and it carries a lot of weight in settling the claim.

When it is compulsory: anyone injured or killed

The Highway Code is clear: if anyone is killed or injured, the driver must wait at the scene for the police to arrive. Failing to do so carries a fine of €500 to €2,500, unless a more serious penalty applies.

Even if an injury seems minor (a sore neck, a small cut), call 112. Some injuries only show up hours later, and it matters that the accident is on record from the start.

When it is strongly advisable

In these situations, having the police attend protects your rights:

Disagreement about what happened. If the other driver will not fill in the Accident Statement (Declaração Amigável), or tells a different story, do not argue: call the police.
Suspected alcohol or drugs. Only the police can test drivers. Beyond the criminal side, Portuguese law allows the insurer to recover what it paid to victims from a driver who caused the accident while over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs (known as the “right of recourse”).
The other driver has no insurance, will not show documents or refuses to give their details. If the person responsible has no valid insurance, compensation may have to be claimed from the Motor Guarantee Fund (Fundo de Garantia Automóvel), and the police record is an important piece of evidence.
Hit and run. Note the registration and description of the car and look for witnesses. When the vehicle responsible is not identified, the Motor Guarantee Fund only covers damage to property if there are also significant personal injuries: so every piece of evidence counts.
Damage to public property: crash barriers, road signs, traffic lights, street furniture. A police record avoids later disputes with the owner of the property.
A foreign-registered vehicle, or a driver you cannot communicate with. The police help collect the details correctly. These claims can be handled through the foreign insurer’s correspondent in Portugal or through the Portuguese Green Card Bureau (Gabinete Português de Carta Verde).
Vehicles blocking the road or a dangerous situation, such as a fuel leak or fallen load.
Suspected fraud or a staged accident.

When you usually do not need the police

If only property is damaged, both drivers are identified and insured, there is no sign of alcohol and you agree on what happened, it is enough to fill in and sign the Accident Statement. Even so, if you are unsure or feel pressured, you can always call the police. Waiting half an hour is better than signing something you do not agree with, especially if it is written in a language you do not fully understand.

What to do while you wait

Stay safe, wear your vest and place the warning triangle.
Photograph the scene, the damage and the registration plates.
Note the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Do not move the vehicles if anyone is injured, unless there is immediate danger.
Do not admit fault or accept cash settlements at the scene.

Before the officers leave, ask where and how you can obtain a copy of their report. Keep this information for your claim.

Frequently asked questions about when to call the police

Will the police always come, even if nobody is hurt?

It depends on the situation and the resources available. Explain clearly on the phone why you need them (disagreement, suspected alcohol, hit and run, no insurance). If no officers attend, gather as much evidence as you can; you can report the accident afterwards at a police station.

Can I leave if the other driver verbally admits fault?

A verbal admission is worth little later on. Fill in the Accident Statement together or call the police. Never leave without exchanging identity and insurance details, as the law requires.

Does calling the police affect my insurance?

No. On the contrary, an impartial record of the facts usually makes the claim easier to settle.

If you wish, I will support you from the first minute and help you prepare your claim: see the car insurance I offer or get in touch.

Sources

General information only. It does not replace reading your policy conditions or personalised advice.