Step · Emergencies

Report a crime (denuncia)

You report a crime (make a denuncia) at a Policía Nacional station or a Guardia Civil post, or start some reports online and then sign them at the station. In an emergency call 112, 091 (Policía Nacional) or 062 (Guardia Civil).

Why it matters

A denuncia is the official record of a theft, lost documents or fraud, and you have the right to a certified copy and, if you don’t speak the local official language, to free language help and a written translation of that copy.

When

You are the victim of a crime, lose your documents, or have your cards used fraudulently.

How long it takes

A Policía Nacional online report must be signed at the station as soon as possible, never later than 72 hours.

Last checked

20 Oct 2026

What you need

• An identity document (DNI, passport or other valid document) when you report in person at a Guardia Civil post
• For a Guardia Civil online report: electronic identification (digital certificate or Cl@ve)
• For a Policía Nacional online report: the reference number the system gives you, to hand over when you sign at the station

Steps

1. In an emergency, call
   If a crime is happening now or you are in danger, call 112, 091 (Policía Nacional) or 062 (Guardia Civil). The Policía Nacional online office says crimes in progress must be reported at once on 091 or 112.
2. Report in person
   Go to a Policía Nacional station (comisaría) or a Guardia Civil post (puesto). At the Guardia Civil you identify yourself with your DNI, passport or other valid document, and both you and the officer sign the report.
3. Or start it online (Policía Nacional)
   The Oficina Virtual de Denuncias takes some reports online. You must then sign it at the police station you chose as soon as possible and never later than 72 hours; bring the reference number the system gives you. It cannot be used if there was physical violence or intimidation, the offender is known or you could recognize them, there were witnesses, you are a minor, or the offense is violent or sexual.
4. Or online (Guardia Civil)
   The Guardia Civil’s electronic report covers damage, theft (hurto), loss or recovery of documents, vehicle theft or theft from a vehicle, and fraudulent use of cards or payment methods. It needs electronic identification (digital certificate or Cl@ve).
5. Ask for your copy and language help
   When you file, you have the right to a certified copy of the denuncia and, if you don’t understand or speak any official language of the place, to free language assistance and a written translation of the copy (Ley 4/2015, art. 6).

Where

• Policía Nacional: Oficina Virtual de Denuncias
  091 (emergencies)
  https://denuncias.policia.es/OVD/
• Guardia Civil: denuncias
  062 (emergencies)
  https://web.guardiacivil.es/es/tramites/denuncias/
• Emergencies
  112

Tips

• Keep the certified copy of your denuncia: it is the official record of the theft, loss or fraud.
• For card or bank fraud, the Guardia Civil’s online report covers fraudulent use of cards or payment methods.
• The Guardia Civil also mentions the AlertCops app to contact it quickly and discreetly.

Official sources

• Oficina Virtual de Denuncias
• Denuncias
• Ley 4/2015, de 27 de abril, del Estatuto de la víctima del delito (art. 6)