Nobody moves to Spain expecting to be in a car accident. But Spanish roads carry millions of vehicles — and at some point, even the most careful driver may find themselves dealing with a bump in a car park, a minor collision on a roundabout, or something more serious on a motorway. Knowing exactly what to do in those first critical minutes — and in the days that follow — makes an enormous difference to how smoothly your insurance claim is handled.
For expats, there's an added layer of complexity. If you haven't been through the Spanish insurance process before, or if the other driver only speaks Spanish, the situation can feel confusing fast. This guide covers everything you need to know, step by step.
The Immediate Priority: Safety First
Whatever the scale of the accident, your first obligation is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If the collision is minor and the vehicles are drivable, move them to the hard shoulder, a lay-by, or the edge of the road as quickly as it is safe to do so. Stationary vehicles in live traffic lanes cause secondary accidents — often more serious than the original one.
Switch on your hazard lights immediately. If you have warning triangles in your vehicle, place them at the appropriate distances behind your car. Spanish law requires drivers to carry warning triangles and high-visibility vests. If you haven't yet equipped your car with these, do so — you can be fined if you cannot produce them at the roadside.
Once you are safely out of the traffic flow, take a breath and assess the situation calmly. Are there any injuries? Is anyone in the other vehicle visibly hurt? Is there a risk of fire? These questions determine your next step.
When to Call 112 — and When You Don't Need To
112 is the single European emergency number and works throughout Spain for police, ambulance, and fire services. You must call 112 if:
- Anyone has been injured, however minor the injury appears
- A driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- A driver has left the scene without exchanging details (a hit and run)
- One of the drivers refuses to exchange information
- There is a dispute about what happened that cannot be resolved amicably
- The accident involves a cyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist with potential injury
- A vehicle is blocking the road and cannot be moved
For straightforward minor accidents — a low-speed bump in a car park, a scratch on a stationary vehicle, a minor collision where both drivers agree on the facts — the police do not need to attend. Instead, you resolve the situation using the European Accident Statement form, which we'll cover in detail below.
Operator language: When you call 112 in Spain, operators can generally find an English-speaking interpreter. State clearly "English, please" — they are trained to handle this. The emergency service response will be in Spanish, but your initial call can be managed in English.
The European Accident Statement (Declaración Amistosa)
If you drive in Spain, you should carry a European Accident Statement form — known in Spanish as the Declaración Amistosa de Accidente or DA form — in your glove box at all times. Every car insurance policy sold in Spain should come with one; if yours didn't, ask your insurer or agent for a copy.
The form is a two-page carbon document. Both drivers complete their respective sections simultaneously, then each keeps one copy. It records vehicle details, insurance information, the position of the vehicles at impact, a diagram of the scene, and a numbered checklist of circumstances (was the vehicle parked? Was it reversing? Was it stationary at traffic lights?) — making it largely language-independent. This is by design: the numbered circumstances allow two drivers who share no common language to still accurately record what happened.
How to fill in the European Accident Statement
The top section records date, time, location, and how many vehicles and injured persons are involved. Each driver then completes their column: vehicle registration, insurance policy number, the name and contact details of the driver, and the name of the insurer. The diagram in the middle requires both drivers to sketch the positions of the vehicles at the point of impact — a simple drawing is sufficient.
The numbered circumstances checklist (column A for one driver, column B for the other) allows you to tick the boxes that apply to your situation. Common boxes include: "was moving", "was overtaking", "was turning", "was going straight ahead", "was reversing". Tick honestly — this form is a legal document.
Both drivers sign the form. Each takes a copy. The form must then be submitted to your insurer. It is not an admission of fault — it is simply a record of what happened. Fault is determined afterwards by the insurers.
Do not sign a blank or incomplete form. If the other driver fills in their section but leaves part of the form blank and asks you to sign it anyway, decline. Ensure all vehicle details, insurer details, and circumstances are completed before you sign your name.
Taking Evidence at the Scene
Photographs are invaluable evidence in any insurance claim. Before vehicles are moved (if it is safe to do so), use your phone to photograph:
- The overall scene from multiple angles, showing both vehicles and the road layout
- Close-up shots of the damage to both vehicles
- The other driver's number plate, insurance sticker (in Spain, valid insurance is indicated by a circular sticker in the windscreen), and driving licence
- Any tyre marks, debris, or damage to road furniture
- Any visible injuries, if appropriate
- The completed Accident Statement form before handing over the copy
If there are witnesses, note their names and contact details. Witness statements can be critical if the other driver later disputes the facts. A brief written note — even on your phone — of everything you observed in the minutes immediately after the accident is worth keeping.
What Information to Exchange
Spanish law requires all drivers involved in an accident to exchange certain information. You need to obtain the following from the other driver:
| Information Required | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Full name and address | Driving licence / DNI / passport |
| Vehicle registration number | Number plate and permiso de circulación |
| Insurance company name | Insurance sticker on windscreen / insurance document |
| Insurance policy number | Insurance certificate or document |
| Contact phone number | Direct from the driver |
If the other driver refuses to provide their details, do not escalate confrontationally. Call 112 and explain the situation. The police can compel the exchange of information. A driver who refuses to exchange details is committing an offence under Spanish traffic law.
What if the other driver doesn't speak English?
This is a common situation and generally less of a problem than it seems. The Accident Statement form handles most of what needs to be recorded without requiring verbal communication. Use the numbered circumstances to indicate what happened, and point to the relevant details on both your documents. Use Google Translate or a translation app to communicate basic phrases if needed.
If the situation is contentious or you're unsure whether the other driver is cooperating fully, call 112 and let the emergency operator handle communication. Once the police arrive, they will manage the language barrier officially.
Minor Bump vs Serious Accident: Why the Distinction Matters
From an insurance perspective, the key distinction is not necessarily about the scale of the damage — it is about whether there are injuries and whether liability is clear. A minor car park scrape with no injuries, where both drivers agree on the facts and complete the Accident Statement, is administratively simple. Your insurer receives the form, assesses the damage, and handles the claim.
A more serious accident — particularly one involving injuries, disputed liability, uninsured drivers, or multiple vehicles — becomes a more complex legal and insurance matter. If injuries are involved, these must be declared to your insurer separately from the vehicle damage. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries in particular may not be immediately apparent; if you feel any pain or discomfort in the hours after an accident, seek medical attention and obtain a medical report. Your insurer needs documentation of any injuries.
Reporting to Your Insurer: Timelines and What to Say
Most Spanish car insurance policies require you to notify your insurer of any accident within a defined window — often 7 days, sometimes shorter. Check your specific policy documents. As a general principle, contact your insurer the same day or the next day at the latest.
When you call, have the following ready: the date, time, and location of the accident; the registration number and insurer of the other vehicle; your completed Accident Statement form; and photographs. If you have a policy with 247 Expat Insurance, our English-speaking team can guide you through the claims process in plain English — call us on +34 868 290 730 or our UK line 0203 925 8884.
What to Do if the Other Driver is Uninsured
Spain requires all vehicles to be insured. In practice, however, uninsured vehicles do occasionally appear on the roads. If you establish that the other driver has no valid insurance — either because they admit it or because the insurance sticker on their windscreen is not valid — call the police. Driving without insurance in Spain is a criminal offence.
Spain operates a Motor Insurance Compensation Consortium (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros), a state-backed body that compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraced drivers. If you are injured or suffer significant property damage due to an uninsured driver, you may be able to claim through this body. Your insurer can advise on the process. If you hold comprehensive cover, your own policy may cover your vehicle damage directly while your insurer pursues recovery.
Medical Attention After an Accident
Even after a seemingly minor accident, it is sensible to see a doctor if you feel any discomfort. Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash can take hours or even days to become apparent. A contemporaneous medical record — created close in time to the accident — is far stronger evidence in any subsequent insurance claim than one obtained weeks later.
If you need emergency care, Spain's A&E departments (urgencias) are accessible to all residents and visitors. If you are a resident with private health insurance, your policy will typically cover accident-related treatment. Inform your health insurer as well as your car insurer if you seek treatment following a road accident.
How Spanish Car Insurance Claims Work vs the UK or US Process
Expats from the UK and US often find that the Spanish claims process is somewhat more document-driven and can move at a different pace. In Spain, the European Accident Statement is the central document for mutual accidents; in the UK you would typically report the accident to your insurer by phone and they would initiate contact with the third party. In Spain, both drivers are more actively involved in the initial documentation.
Another difference is that Spanish insurers often employ loss adjustors (peritos) who physically inspect the vehicle before authorising repairs. You may be required to take your vehicle to an approved repairer or to a specific garage for assessment. Your insurer will advise on this when you notify the claim.
If the accident was the fault of the other driver and they are insured with a Spanish insurer, you can claim against their liability policy directly. Your own insurer can assist in managing this process, and if you have a comprehensive policy, your own insurer may pay out first and then recover costs from the at-fault party's insurer — keeping the process simpler for you.
What to Do: A Practical Summary
Move vehicles out of the traffic flow if safe to do so. Place warning triangles. Put on your high-visibility vest.
Request English if needed. For minor accidents with no injuries and cooperative drivers, proceed to Step 3.
Both vehicles, the damage, the road layout, number plates, insurance details, and any injuries.
Both drivers fill in their columns and sign. Each keeps a copy. Do not sign if any section is blank.
Name, address, registration, insurer name and policy number, contact phone. Get witness details if available.
Notify them ideally the same day. Have your Accident Statement form, photographs, and the other driver's details to hand.
A contemporaneous medical record is valuable evidence. Report any injuries to both your car insurer and your health insurer.
Need Help with Your Car Insurance Claim in Spain?
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