How to report a crime (denuncia) at a police station

Terms used

• Denuncia — A denuncia is the formal police report of a crime, theft or loss.
• Comisaría — A comisaría is a Policía Nacional police station.
• Puesto — A puesto is a Guardia Civil post, the police station in smaller towns and rural areas.
• Cita previa — Cita previa is an appointment booked in advance, often online.
• NIE — The NIE is the identification number given to foreigners in Spain.
• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued to residents in Spain.
• IMEI — The IMEI is the unique serial number of a mobile phone.

Key rules

• No appointment: You can walk in to report a crime; booking is not required.
• Your copy: Leave with a signed copy showing the case number and date, since your insurer will ask for it.
• Phone calls: Calling 091, 062 or 112 does not file a report.
• Language: You can ask for an interpreter if you do not speak Spanish.
• Online reports: An online report must still be signed at a station.

The short version

A station report is a short, predictable procedure. You give your ID, tell an officer what happened, read and sign the statement, and leave with a signed copy that shows a reference number. You need no appointment, and you can ask for an interpreter if you do not speak Spanish.

Where to go

Go to a Policía Nacional comisaría, a Guardia Civil puesto (the Guardia Civil post in smaller towns), or a local police station. You can walk in. Some Policía Nacional offices also let you book a cita previa for a denuncia, but this varies by station and walking in always works. The appointment system you may know from the NIE or TIE does not apply here.

A court on duty (juzgado de guardia) also accepts a denuncia directly. Use it if a station will not register your report. The steps for that are covered under "What if the police won't take your report?" below.

If you started an online report for a theft or loss, you still have to go to the station you chose and sign it there.

What happens at the desk

1. Take a queue number or give your details at the denuncias desk.
2. Show your photo ID. Without ID the police will still take the report, but they will check who you are.
3. An officer asks what happened and types your account.
4. You describe the items taken, any suspects and the circumstances.
5. You read the statement and correct anything wrong.
6. You sign it.

The police then forward the denuncia to the court. You do not need to do this yourself.

What to say

Keep it factual and in order: when, where, what happened, what was taken. Give the date, the approximate time and the exact place. For stolen items, give brand, model, colour, approximate value and serial numbers. For a phone, give the IMEI. Mention anything you remember about the people involved and any witnesses.

Before you go, prepare these details using the checklist below. It saves time at the desk and avoids gaps in your statement.

How long it takes

The statement itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The wait before it varies a lot. In small towns and at quiet hours it can be minutes. In big tourist cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and Palma, and in summer, one to several hours is common. Go early in the day if you can.

What you receive

Ask for your copy before you leave. It shows the case number (atestado or diligencias number) and the date. You have a right to this copy, and you need it for your insurer and for replacing documents. Some stations print it only if you ask. If you filed online first, you get an application number, and the station gives you the case number once you sign.

Check that the number and date are on the copy before you walk out.

A phone call is not a report

Calling 091, 062 or 112 can bring a patrol or give you guidance, but it does not file the report. You still need to go to a station or complete an online report and sign it.

Reporting a crime in Spain from first call to copy in hand

• Choose where to report: a comisaría, a Guardia Civil puesto, or the online form for thefts and losses: before you start

• Remember that a phone call to 091, 062 or 112 can bring a patrol or give guidance, but does not file the report: if the crime is happening now or you need guidance

• Take a queue number or give your details at the denuncias desk: when you arrive

• Show your ID and tell the officer what happened, including items, suspects and circumstances: at the desk

• Read your statement, correct anything wrong, and sign it: before you leave

• Sign your online report at the station you chose, with your ID and application number: within 72 hours of sending an online report

• Ask for your copy showing the case number and date, which you need for insurance: right after you sign

• Go to another station, the duty court or the prosecutor if a station will not register your report: if you are refused

Documents you need

Documents for a station denuncia

• Valid photo ID: the DNI if you are Spanish. If you are a foreigner, the TIE (foreigner identity card), the NIE certificate together with your passport, or your passport or EU ID. Without ID the police still take your report, but they will check who you are.

• Any evidence you have, such as receipts, serial numbers, photos, a phone's IMEI, or your lease or insurance policy.

• The vehicle's documents, if the report is about a vehicle.

• A written authorisation, if a representative files the report for you.

• No appointment (cita previa) is needed. You can walk in to any Policía Nacional comisaría, Guardia Civil puesto or local police station, or go to the duty court. Some Policía Nacional offices also let you book online.

• The copy of your denuncia, which you receive after giving your statement. It shows the case number (atestado or diligencias) and the date. Ask for it, because insurers and offices that replace documents ask for it.

What to bring and write down before you report a crime

• Bring valid photo ID: your DNI, TIE, or your passport or EU ID.

• Write down the date, approximate time and exact place of the incident.

• Write a clear account of how it happened.

• Note any description of suspects and any witnesses.

• Find your phone's IMEI by dialling *#06# or checking the box or your account.

• Block your bank cards first and note the card numbers.

• Gather receipts, photos, proof of ownership and screenshots of location tracking.

• Bring vehicle documents if a vehicle is involved.

• Bring your insurance policy number and invoices to claim.

• Bring written authorisation if you are reporting for someone else.

What if the police won't take your report?

Police must accept your report and pass it to the court, and cannot refuse because the crime happened in another area. If a station still turns you away, you have other places to file.

Know what the police can and cannot do

A station can tell you where it is best to file. It cannot refuse to take your report. "Go to the station in the area where it happened" is advice, not a reason to leave without filing.

There is one fair exception. If what you describe is not a crime, such as a civil dispute over money or a contract, the police can send you elsewhere. If you think your case is a crime, say so clearly and ask them to register it.

What to say at the desk

1. Calmly ask them to register your denuncia and pass it to the court.
2. If they say it is not their area, repeat that you want it registered anyway.
3. Ask for the officer's number (the TIP). Every officer has one.
4. If they still refuse, leave and use one of the routes below. Do not argue for long.

Where else to file

Any of these works, and you can use them the same day:

• Another station. Go to a different Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil station. Policies vary from office to office, and a second station often accepts the report.
• The juzgado de guardia. This is the duty court. It is open every day, and you can file directly with a judge's office.
• The Fiscalía. This is the prosecutor's office. You can file with it directly.
• Online. For some thefts you can start the report on the Policía Nacional website. You then confirm it in person.
• Gender violence. Call 016, or go to the juzgado.

Complain about the refusal

If you were turned away, you can also complain. Use the officer's number if you have it. Send the complaint to the Interior Ministry's inspection service for the force involved (Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil). You can also go to the Defensor del Pueblo, Spain's national ombudsman.

Complaining does not replace filing. File your report first through another route, then complain.

Quick answers about filing a police report in Spain

Is there a deadline for filing a denuncia?

There is no general deadline for filing a denuncia, but the crime must not have expired under the criminal code. Minor offences expire after 1 year, less serious ones after 5 years, and serious ones after 10 to 20 years. Your insurer may ask for a report within 24 to 72 hours of discovering a theft.

Can I report a crime on behalf of someone else?

Yes, you can report a crime for someone else, in person or in writing, and you must sign and identify yourself. Some offences, such as slander or certain family and sexual offences, need the victim or a legal representative to act. A parent, guardian or lawyer with a power of attorney can act for a minor or a person with a disability.

Can I withdraw a denuncia after filing it?

No, you cannot withdraw a denuncia in a way that stops the investigation for most crimes such as theft, assault or violence against women. For some private offences, such as slander, your forgiveness can end the case. You may still be called as a witness.

What happens if I report something as stolen when it was only lost?

Reporting a lost item as stolen can be a crime, and it can lead to a fine or prison. If you use it to claim on insurance, the insurer can refuse the claim and cancel your policy. Report a loss honestly as a loss, and check whether your policy covers loss.