Step · Emergencies

Report a crime in Bilbao

In Bilbao a denuncia is filed with the Ertzaintza, the Basque regional police, at a station, or online with an electronic certificate for minor cases. Emergencies: 112.

Why it matters

A denuncia is usually needed for insurance claims, replacing stolen documents and any later court case.

When

Something is stolen, you are the victim of a crime or you lose documents in Bilbao.

Last checked

25 Oct 2026

What you need

• An ID document: passport, NIE or TIE.
• For online filing: a valid electronic certificate (Izenpe, Bak, Bakq or DNIe).

Steps

1. In an emergency, call 112
   If the crime is happening now or just happened, call 112 (euskadi.eus page).
2. Go to an Ertzaintza station
   In the Basque Country the Ertzaintza, the regional police, take denuncias. The euskadi.eus page says you can go to any Ertzaintza station in person; it also lists public registries, Correos post offices and Spanish consular offices as accepted places. Bring your passport, NIE or TIE (the page does not list the ID for in-person filing). The Policía Nacional’s Oficina Virtual de Denuncias says denuncias are not taken through it in Bizkaia.
3. Or file online with an electronic certificate
   Online filing needs a valid electronic certificate such as Izenpe, Bak, Bakq or DNIe. It accepts theft of documents, goods or money without violence, damage with photos or documents, and unauthorized card charges. It does not accept incidents outside the Basque Country, a known or identifiable offender, violence, sexual offenses, burglaries of homes or businesses, cases with witnesses, or complainants who are minors.
4. Appointment (only some stations)
   The Ertzaintza cita previa for non-urgent denuncias (damage, theft of documents or belongings, vehicle theft, online fraud) is, per the appointment page, operating only for the Portal de Foronda station in Vitoria-Gasteiz; the denuncia page says Álava and Gipuzkoa. Request it at euskadi.eus/cita-previa-ertzaintza.
5. Ask for your copy
   See the Spain-wide card (ES-0158) for your right to a copy and language help.

Where

• Ertzaintza police stations
  https://www.euskadi.eus/denuncia_policial/web01-tramite/es/

Official sources

• Presentación de una denuncia ante la Policía Autónoma Vasca
• Cita previa Ertzaintza
• Oficina Virtual de Denuncias: Bizkaia page

Do these first

• Report a crime (denuncia)