I was the victim of a crime — what help and compensation can I get?
Every EU country must offer victims free support, information and, for violent crime, state compensation — regardless of whether the offender is caught. APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima (116 006) is the victim-support service for Portugal: emotional support, help with the police and the court, practical help with insurers and employers, and the compensation application. Queixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNR (queixaselectronicas.mai.gov.pt) takes the report; ask for your rights as a victim in writing and for updates on the case. Segurança Social — apoio judiciário / Ordem dos Advogados (seg-social.pt) covers legal costs if you need a lawyer in the proceedings.
🗣️ What to say
"I was the victim of [crime] on [date]; police report [number]. I would like support with [the procedure / compensation / practical matters] and to be informed about my rights and the progress of the case."
🪜 Step by step
- Report if you have notRights as a victim — information, protection, compensation — mostly start with the report.
- Contact APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à VítimaThey call you back, explain what happens next, and stay with you through the process.
- Ask for updatesYou have the right to be informed of the decision to prosecute, the trial date and the release of the offender, if you ask.
- CompensationFrom the offender in the criminal case, from insurers, and for violent crime from the state fund — APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima files it with you. Deadlines apply (often 1–3 years).
- Legal aid: Segurança Social — apoio judiciário / Ordem dos AdvogadosFor a lawyer to join the case as a civil party, free below an income threshold.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
The offender was never found
State compensation for violent crime does not depend on a conviction; it depends on the report and the injury.
I was a victim in another EU country
You can report at home and the report is transferred; support services cooperate across borders. APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima starts the process.
Can I get protection from the offender?
Protection orders, address confidentiality and separate waiting rooms at court exist; ask APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima and the police explicitly.
📎 Sources
- APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima →
- Queixa Eletrónica — PSP / GNR →
- Segurança Social — apoio judiciário / Ordem dos Advogados →
- Balcão do Arrendatário e do Senhorio (BAS) →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “victim support Portugal”
- “crime victim compensation Portugal”
- “victim rights information case”
- “help after crime free”
- “state compensation violent crime”
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