Month 1
Time
30 min on the spot, longer if anyone's hurt
Cost
Free (your time only)
Difficulty
Medium
What to bring
Your driving licence and the car's documents
The Declaração Amigável form (it's in the glovebox of every insured car)
Your phone camera
Not needed: A lawyer, for minor no-injury cases
Our pick
Compare all 4 →Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Stop and check for injuries
Pull over if you safely can. Leave the vehicles in place if anyone's hurt or you disagree on fault.
- 2
Decide: form or 112
No injuries, both drivers agree, everyone's insured? Fill in the Declaração Amigável. Otherwise call 112 and wait for PSP or GNR.
- 3
Document everything
Photos of both vehicles, plates, the road, and any damage before you move anything. Get the other driver's name, plate, and insurer.
- 4
Tell your insurer fast
Most Portuguese policies want notice within about 8 days, sooner if you want repairs or a courtesy car moving quickly.
Common questions
What if the other driver doesn't have the form or won't sign it?
That's exactly when you call 112 and let PSP or GNR file an official "participação" instead.
Do I need to call the police for a tiny scratch in a parking lot?
No, if there's no injury and you both agree on what happened, the Declaração Amigável is enough, that's what it's for.
How long do I have to report to my insurer?
Check your policy, but treat 8 days as the outside limit. Report sooner and you'll get a repair authorisation faster.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Lisbon.