Lorraine Williamson
Spain has launched a new national helpline for people affected by road accidents, offering victims and families a single place to turn when shock, grief, and paperwork collide.
The DGT 018 helpline is free, confidential, and available across Spain. It has been created to give practical, legal, and emotional guidance after a serious traffic accident.
A first point of help after a crash
The new number was presented by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska at the headquarters of Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic, the DGT, on Thursday, April 23.
According to the DGT, the service is aimed at victims of road accidents and their relatives. It can offer guidance on available resources, legal questions, psychological support, and the administrative steps that often follow a crash.
The service is not an emergency number. In an immediate accident or danger situation, people should still call 112.
How the DGT 018 helpline works
The helpline can be reached by calling 018. The DGT also lists other contact routes, including WhatsApp on 645 713 823, email at victimastrafico@dgt.es, and an online form through its official website.
Spanish media reports say the service operates daily from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm and offers support in 50 languages, as well as Spain’s co-official languages. That makes it especially useful for foreign residents, tourists, and families who may struggle to navigate Spanish procedures after a traumatic event.
Support beyond the first phone call
The DGT says the helpline is designed to act as a gateway to Spain’s wider support network for traffic victims.
That could include psychological guidance, basic legal information, social support, and referral to specialist associations. In serious cases, victims may also receive follow-up support for up to a year, according to reporting on the launch.
For many families, the hardest part after a road accident is knowing where to begin. Insurance, medical paperwork, police reports, and possible court procedures can quickly become overwhelming.
Why this matters in Spain
Road safety remains a major public issue in Spain, especially during holiday periods, long weekends, and major travel events.
The launch of 018 also comes as the DGT continues to expand its road safety messaging, from alcohol and speed campaigns to new rules around emergency signals and vulnerable road users.
Victim associations have long argued that people affected by traffic accidents need clearer support after the immediate emergency response ends. The new helpline is intended to close part of that gap.
A useful number for residents to save
For British and other foreign residents in Spain, the new helpline is worth saving, even if they hope never to use it.
It may be especially helpful for people dealing with an accident away from their home province, or for relatives trying to understand what happens next after a serious incident.
The DGT 018 helpline will not replace emergency services, lawyers, or insurers. But it gives victims and families a clearer first step at a moment when clear information can make a real difference.