APAV
Published 30 October 2026, 20:39
APAV — Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima (Portuguese victim support association)
A non-profit organisation founded on 25 June 1990: it has IPSS status and is officially recognised as being of public benefit. It helps victims of crime or violence and their families: it listens, explains the next step and provides legal, psychological, social and financial support. Everything is free and confidential. The free helpline, 116 006, is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; there is also a chatbot.
Where you come across it. After a theft, a fraud or domestic violence; when you are unsure what to do after reporting to the police.
APAV is neither the police nor a lawyer: it will not file a report for you or get your money back. The report goes to the PSP or GNR, and APAV explains your rights as a victim and supports you from there. The organisation works all over the country, with main offices in Lisbon, Porto and the Azores.
Official website: apav.pt