Spain will launch a dedicated helpline in 2026 for victims of road accidents.

For the thousands of people who are affected by road accident each year, it doesn’t end with the ambulance. After a crash, confusion, paperwork and emotional shock can persist for a long time. Spain hopes to make a difference by launching a national helpline dedicated for victims of road traffic accidents in early 2026.

The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has confirmed it will introduce a new freephone number – 018 – designed exclusively to support both direct and indirect victims of road accidents. The service will be operational in 2026’s first months, after the final administrative steps have been completed.

The 018 offers a more targeted service than existing general information lines. It is a confidential, single point of contact that helps people navigate the emotional, legal, and practical implications of a traffic accident.

Long-awaited services for victims and their families

The 018 line was created in response to a request that victim associations had been making for many years. Up until now, those seeking assistance after a traffic accident relied on the 060 line, which is a general government service that handles a variety of administrative matters.

The DGT, while continuing to operate the 060, believes that victims require a space dedicated for them, staffed with professionals who are trained and understand the realities of traffic accidents.

The new helpline can be reached by:

• Road accidents can cause serious injuries to people.
• Families of the seriously injured or killed
• Direct victims needing emotional support or guidance

All calls are confidential and free. No charges will appear on the phone bill. The service will be available from 8am-9pm every day.

The proposal was made available for public consultations in October. This allowed individuals and organizations to give feedback. After this process was completed, the formal decision was published in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE)This will allow the service to be launched.

How will the 018 helpline work?

The 018 was designed from a practical perspective to remove as many obstacles as possible. All calls are treated as reverse-charged calls, which means that users never pay for calls regardless of the operator.

System has strict safeguards. All forms of advertising, commercial activity, sales or promotional content are prohibited. This ensures that the line is purely informative and supportive.

The service will offer adapted communication methods to ensure equal access for people with hearing and speech impairments.

The DGT has awarded the management of the helpline to Servicios de Teleasistencia, under a contract worth €579,590, running until September 2027. The operators will guide victims on administrative procedures and rights as well as available psychological, legal and social resources.

It is important to note that the helpline doesn’t replace emergency services. It is more likely to intervene after a crisis has occurred, when people are most vulnerable and feel the least supported.

As part of Spain’s wider road safety strategies

Launching the 018 helpline was part of a larger national effort. The helpline is part of Spain’s Road Safety Strategy 2030 which aims at halving the number of road fatalities and serious injuries by 2020.

The authorities in this strategy have realised that justice and recovery don’t end with accident statistics. Road safety policy now includes ensuring victims are treated fairly, receive clear information and emotional assistance.

The DGT already operates a Coordination Unit to assist victims of traffic accidents. This unit offers psychological, legal and social advice via provincial traffic offices. The new number 018 will expand on this existing network and centralise access to support at a time when many people don’t know where to go.

The days and weeks following an accident can be a time of bureaucracy, confusion and grief for many families. By offering a clear, dedicated helpline, Spain is taking a step towards recognising that road accidents leave lasting human consequences – not just damaged vehicles.

When the 018 service goes online in 2026 the authorities hope that it will become the lifeline of choice for people facing some of the most difficult times of their lives.