Whether you’re living in Portugal or just visiting for a few weeks, you’re bound to find yourself driving on Portuguese roads. And unfortunately, you may find yourself involved in a road accident. What to do in the event of an accident in Portugal?

That’s the question I’m going to tackle today in this article, because you never really know what to do in such a situation, and even less so when you’re in a country other than your own. A situation made all the more stressful.

Here are 3 other articles on the blog related to cars in Portugal that may be useful and complementary to this one:

• Registering your car in Portugal
• Changing your driving license in Portugal
• Renting a car in Portugal

1- Three things to look for in an accident in Portugal

One of the reasons I wrote this article is that, living in Portugal, three things struck me about accidents.

The first is a somewhat subjective observation, but I’ve lived in several regions in Portugal and I’ve noticed that every time it rains, and I do mean “every time” … without exaggeration, there’s at least one accident on the road you take in rainy weather. Fortunately, these are generally “small accidents” that “simply” cause a little material damage, but it’s quite impressive to see this causal link: rain = accident in Portugal(well, as I say, it’s a totally subjective observation, but it’s pretty obvious to me).

Yes, it rains sometimes in Portugal and the roads are slippery 🙂

The second thing that always strikes me is how often there are major traffic jams following an accident in Portugal, even for a simple fender-bender. This is partly explained by the fact that one of the number 1 rules in Portugal is not to move the colliding cars, even if they are blocking all transit.

Finally, the last point that strikes me every time there’s an accident in Portugal is the almost systematic presence of the police on site. Unfortunately, this is compulsory when there is physical damage, but I’m talking here even in the case of a simple fender-bender. I’ll tell you more about it later in this article, but in Portugal, “calling in the police” to mediate accidents is very common. Almost as common as “calling a friend” on the TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” 🙂

2: First steps in the event of an accident in Portugal

The first step covers a number of rather “mundane” but important points to remember

• stay calm, avoid conflicts with the other driver and take a deep breath! There’s no point getting worked up!
• if there is physical damage, don’t move the injured and call 112 (European number).
• weara reflective vest for the driver and passengers. You’ll look great in yellow, I’m sure.
• activate the vehicle’shazard lights, switch off the ignition and apply the brake, so your car doesn’t go off on its own 🙂
• evacuate the vehicle and, if you’re on the freeway, position yourself behind the safety barrier. Don’t risk your life!
• leave vehicles where they are at the moment of impact, even in the case of minor fender-benders and huge traffic jams.
• place the warning triangle at least 30 metres before the accident site. Yes! yes! always carry a nice triangle in your trunk!

Report the accident

3 : Filling out your accident report in Portugal

The paper version

The “Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel” (DAAA) is the equivalent of the French “constat amiable”. In Europe, the document is standardized and the headings are the same in all languages. The DAAA includes the usual information for an accident report:

• the identity of the drivers,
• make and registration number of the vehicles involved,
• the names of the insurance companies and policy numbers on the sticker affixed to the windscreen,
• any witnesses: names and full contact details.

Send the completed and signed DAAA (constat) to your insurer. If the accident has given rise to a police report, you should contact your insurer before receiving the police report, as in Portugal you only have 8 days after an accident to report it.

The digital version

Instead of the paper version, you can file your accident report from your cell phone using the Portuguese e-SEGURNET application. All you need is an internet connection and the application installed on your smartphone. Declaring the accident becomes even easier, as this application allows you to access the geolocation of the accident, upload photos to better document the event and automatically inform the insurers concerned, thus avoiding paperwork and sending by post.

DAAA to download here

Important notes

• Each driver must keep a copy of the DAAA and give it to his insurer.
• If you do not have the DAAA form in your car, the declaration can be made on any paper (it must, of course, be signed by all parties concerned).
• Only sign the DAAA if both parties agree with the way the accident occurred.
• If the other vehicle is uninsured, make a note of the license plate and pass it on immediately to the police and your insurer.

Completing the accident report

4 – What if you disagree?

Trying to reach an agreement with the other party isn’t always easy. Everyone may perceive the accident differently, and if there’s a language barrier on top of it all, it can be even more complicated.

1st option:

If you can’t agree, “call … a friend” … uhhhhh no! Instead, “call the police” (112)! Indeed, in this type of situation, it’s the police who are called and who will come to the scene … This can take some time … The time it takes for them to arrive on the scene and assess the accident. That’s why it’s so important to leave your vehicles where they are. Like the experts in Manhattan, the police will measure and scrutinize the slightest trace of braking to reproduce the accident scenario, and it is they who will decide who is responsible for the accident.

2nd option:

If you don’t agree and don’t want to call the police, each driver can also fill in his or her own ACAD and send it to the other vehicle’s insurance company. The insurers will then decide who is at fault. In such cases, we strongly recommend that you send photos showing the scene of the accident and the damage caused.

What to do in the event of disagreement?

5 : Special case > accidentwith a car registered abroad

As you know, if you live in Portugal, your vehicle will have to be Portuguese or registered with a Portuguese plate (see article: registering your car in Portugal). In these cases, your plate is Portuguese, you have Portuguese insurance and you follow the procedures mentioned above.

However, if you’re just away on vacation for a few days or weeks and unfortunately you have an accident in Portugal with your car (which is therefore not Portuguese), it’s important to remember a few points:

1 – Check with your insurance company before you leave in order to :

• check that your insurance is valid in the country you are going to. The list of countries normally appears on your green card,
• find out about assistance: repatriation, replacement vehicle, etc.
• check that repairs are covered,
• check that you haveyour insurer’s contact details when abroad (these are usually shown on the green card)

2 – Fill in the accident report form (which is the same throughout Europe). There is no set language: everyone fills in the form in the language they know best. Once completed, send it to your insurance company within 5 working days of your accident (as opposed to 8 days with Portuguese insurance companies).

Useful information

• In the event of a road accident abroad, compensation depends on the legislation of the country where the accident occurred. The amount of compensation therefore varies according to the country of the accident. To be reimbursed, your insurer will contact the at-fault driver’s insurer or its local representative to file a claim. If the insurer of the at-fault driver does not make you an offer of compensation within the 3-month time limit, you can file a claim with the Fonds de Garantie des Assurances Obligatoires.
• The digital claim form, which allows you to fill in a digital claim form using your telephone, does not work in the event of an accident abroad , so be sure to use a paper version.

In conclusion

Procedures in Portugal are very similar to those in other European countries. However, it’s important to be familiar with the rules in the event of an accident in Portugal, and to check with your insurance company to make sure you’re not caught unawares when you find yourself in this type of situation. And don’t forget: respect the safety rules and stay calm 🙂 Keep Cool!

To find out more

• Registering your car in Portugal
• Changing your driving license in Portugal
• Renting a car in Portugal

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