Receiving a threat is never "just a phrase said in the heat of the moment." When someone tells you they're going to hurt you, destroy your life, attack your family, or cause you serious harm, your body reacts, your mind can't rest, and a feeling of insecurity sets in. And often, the question arises immediately afterward: is this grounds for a complaint? Is it worth pursuing a criminal complaint for threats?

In this article, we clearly explain how filing a criminal complaint for threats works in Portugal, what the practical steps are, what evidence makes a difference, and where legal assistance can protect your rights from the first contact with the authorities.

What is a criminal complaint for threats?

A criminal complaint for threats is a formal report to the authorities when someone threatens you with a crime, and that threat is likely to cause fear, anxiety, or limit your freedom of decision. In real life, it's not just about words. It's about the context, the persistence, the history between the people involved, how it was said, and the impact it has.

A criminal complaint for threats is not a mere "venting" at a police station. It is a procedural step that can pave the way for an investigation and measures to strengthen your safety. Therefore, how you describe the facts and how you preserve evidence is crucial.

A threat is not the same as a discussion: when does it become a crime?

It's normal for arguments, harsh words, and even insults to exist. Not all of that constitutes the crime of making threats. The line starts to become clear when:

• The person announces the intention to commit a crime against themselves, against their physical integrity, freedom, sexual self-determination, life, or against property of considerable value.

• The threat is credible in this context: the person making the threat has the means, proximity, history, access, or has already demonstrated aggressive behavior.

• The result is real: they feel fear, change routines, avoid places, change schedules, ask for help, or lose their freedom of choice.

If you are experiencing this, filing a criminal complaint for threats may be the right tool. And the sooner you act, the greater the likelihood of stopping the escalation.

What does Portuguese law consider "threats"?

In Portugal, the crime of making threats is defined in law. Article 153 of the Penal Code. In simple terms, the law focuses on the threat of committing serious crimes (against life, physical integrity, personal freedom, sexual freedom and self-determination, or property of considerable value) and requires that it be adequate to cause fear or anxiety.

There are also situations where the legal classification may be different, or cumulative, such as coercion, stalking, domestic violence, insults, or defamation. That is why a criminal complaint for threats must be carefully considered, so as not to be "short-sighted" and to encompass everything that happened.

Aggravated threat: when the situation is more serious.

Not all threats carry the same weight. There are scenarios in which the legal framework and the interpretation of the process become more serious, for example when:

• The threat involves weapons, or refers to weapons.

• The victim is particularly vulnerable.

• There is a context of repeated intimidation.

• The threat is made in writing and is persistent.

This doesn't mean that "less spectacular" threats don't count. They do. It just means that the strategy for filing a criminal complaint for threats must consider the whole picture.

Semi-public crime: what changes in practice?

The crime of making threats is, as a general rule, a semi-public crime. In practical terms, this means that the process usually depends on the victim filing a complaint. If the victim does not file a criminal complaint for threats, the procedure may not begin.

Therefore, even when you are afraid or want to "avoid trouble," it's important to realize that silence doesn't always bring peace. Many threats grow when they don't encounter legal resistance.

Deadline for filing a criminal complaint for threats.

One critical point: the right to file a complaint has a time limit. In crimes that require a complaint, the deadline is, as a rule, 6 months from the moment you become aware of the fact and who committed it.

This means that delaying could cost you the right to proceed with a criminal complaint for threats. If you're thinking "I'll deal with it later," that "later" might come too late.

Where and how to file a criminal complaint for threats?

A criminal complaint for threats can be filed:

• At any PSP (Public Security Police) or GNR (National Republican Guard) station.

• At the Public Prosecutor's Office.

• In certain situations, through electronic complaint mechanisms, when the type of crime is covered.

In practice, the most common option is to go to a police station and file a report, taking as much evidence as possible with you. If you are away from home, or if the situation requires detail and precision, remote legal support can help prepare your account and documentation before contacting the authorities.

The evidence that makes all the difference in a criminal complaint for threats.

Many people file a criminal complaint for threats and, weeks later, receive a notification requesting more information. This is common when the process begins with little organized evidence.

The best approach is to think of it as a simple and coherent "dossier." It doesn't need to be technical. It needs to be complete.

Messages, calls and social networks

Keep everything. A criminal complaint for threats gains strength when there is evidence:

• • SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, or other apps.

  • Emails.

  • Private messages and comments.

  • Screenshots with date and identification.

Avoid deleting or blocking without logging. If you must block for security reasons, log the content first.

Audios and videos

Audio recordings containing direct threats and videos depicting intimidating behavior have a strong impact. It's important to preserve the original file and indicate the context: date, time, location, and who was present.

Witnesses and context

There are threats that happen "in front of everyone" and others that are made in private. In both cases, witnesses help, but context also matters:

• • History of conflicts.

  • Previous episodes.

  • Real fear and changes in routine.

Medical records and psychological impact

If there were anxiety attacks, medical consultations, psychological support, or a need for medication, this can be relevant in demonstrating the impact and severity. A criminal complaint for threats is not just about what was said, it's about what it provoked.

What happens after filing a criminal complaint for threats?

After filing a criminal complaint for threats, the process generally enters an investigation phase. Several things can happen:

• He is being called to provide more detailed testimony.

• The person accused may be heard.

• Digital evidence, expert reports, and witness testimonies can be collected.

• The Public Prosecutor's Office is assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to support an indictment.

Not all processes follow the same path. But almost all benefit from a well-written initial statement, with facts in chronological order and organized evidence.

Protective measures: what you can request (and what doesn't exist in Portugal)

When there is genuine fear, the question is obvious: can I request a "removal order"? In Portugal, protective measures are usually assessed within the context of criminal proceedings. In other words, your criminal complaint regarding threats must be accompanied by concrete information justifying the urgency.

In situations of immediate risk, the priority is always safety: contact 112. Then, with legal assistance, you can request that the process assess the risk and promote the necessary actions.

Threats in the context of family and separation.

A significant portion of complaints arise from separations, parental conflicts, and family disputes. In these cases, a criminal complaint for threats must be considered within the context of the family law proceedings to avoid errors that later complicate agreements and decisions.

If there is parental conflict, it makes sense to explore options such as Parental Agreement and, when necessary, the Regulation of Parental Responsibilities at a Distance. The threat cannot be normalized as "part of divorce." It isn't.

When the scenario involves the dissolution of a marriage and the logistics are difficult, it can also be helpful to understand the Divorce at a Distance, especially if the threats arise from pressure to sign papers, give up rights, or accept unfair conditions.

Threats at work: when fear enters the workplace

There are threats that appear in the workplace: intimidation, blackmail, pressure to sign a termination agreement, or threats associated with harassment. It's not always just work-related. Sometimes it's also criminal.

Here, a criminal complaint for threats can coexist with a labor strategy. If your case has this component, see also Labor rights To understand how to protect your relationship, your security, and your evidence.

Digital threats: screenshots won't get through if they're poorly taken.

Online threats are common and sometimes more violent than in-person threats. Filing a criminal complaint for threats based on messages requires careful consideration of:

• Complete screenshots (not just the isolated phrase).

• Profile identification, number or email.

• Date, time and sequence of the conversation.

When there is fraud, blackmail, or financial risk involved, the threat may intersect with fraud. If your case involves this aspect, it may be helpful to read about it. Bank Fraud and Phishing to reinforce measures for preserving digital evidence.

Do I really need a lawyer to file a criminal complaint for threats?

Legally, you don't need a lawyer to file a criminal complaint for threats. You can go to the police station alone and report it.

The issue is not "power." The issue is the risk of:

• To misrepresent the facts and leave out essential elements.

• Not gathering useful evidence right at the beginning.

• Failure to identify the correct classification when multiple crimes occur simultaneously.

• Not reacting well to notifications and requests for clarification.

Online support: when urgency doesn't align with travel.

There are situations where going to an office or wasting hours commuting is simply impossible. Online support solves that.

A remote legal consultation allows you to:

• Organize a timeline of what happened.

• Identify the best way to file a criminal complaint for threats.

• Prepare attachments, screenshots, and witness lists.

• Define what to say and what to avoid saying, so as not to weaken the process.

Filing a criminal complaint for threats: when should you act immediately?

There are warning signs that justify taking immediate action. If the threat is repeated, involves references to physical violence, weapons, arson, destruction of property, or if the person has easy access to you, the safest decision is to file a criminal complaint for threats as soon as possible. Even when "nothing has happened yet," a criminal complaint for threats serves precisely to stop the intimidation before it escalates.

You should also act quickly if the threats are disrupting your routine: you've changed your routes, you avoid going out alone, you've stopped going to work, or you're afraid to answer your phone. In these scenarios, filing a criminal complaint for threats ceases to be an option and becomes a protective measure.

Quick guide to building a solid criminal complaint for threats.

Think of a criminal complaint for threats as a short story, with a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning is the first episode of threat. The middle is the pattern: repetition, intensity, context, escalation. The end is the impact: fear, anxiety, and loss of freedom. When structured this way, the criminal complaint for threats becomes clear to both the recipient and the investigator.

If you have any doubts, mentally repeat three simple questions before filing a criminal complaint for threats: what was said or done, when and where did it happen, and what evidence exists. This discipline strengthens the criminal complaint for threats, even without legal jargon.

How to prepare your criminal complaint for threats in 30 minutes?

Before leaving home or sending documents for review, do this simple exercise. It helps reduce anxiety and increase clarity.

1. Write down, on a piece of paper or in a note on your phone, the sequence of events by date.

2. Identify the person: name, address if known, contact information, relationship to you.

3. Choose 3 to 5 episodes that summarize the threat pattern.

4. Separate the evidence by episode: screenshots, audio recordings, witnesses.

5. Note how this has affected your life: fear, changes in routine, absences from work, need for support.

This short guide will make your criminal complaint for threats much stronger. And, if you have legal support, it will speed up the diagnosis.

Common mistakes that weaken a criminal complaint for threats.

Many people lose momentum in the process due to avoidable details. Some of the most frequent mistakes are:

• Filing a criminal complaint for threats without specifying dates, only stating "this has been happening for a long time".

• Bringing cropped screenshots, without context and without identification.

• Mixing facts with insults, opinions, and conclusions.

• Not mentioning previous incidents that make the threat credible.

• Waiting months and missing the deadline to file a complaint.

The good news is that almost all of this can be resolved with organization and guidance.

What can you gain by acting early?

A well-filed criminal complaint for threats is not "revenge." It's protection. It's a clear sign that you refuse to live under intimidation.

By acting early, you increase the likelihood of:

• Preserve evidence before it disappears.

• Avoid climbing.

• To strengthen your safety and peace of mind.

• Defend your credibility with a consistent account from the start.

Before closing: a note on giving up and regret.

In many cases, after the first visit to the police, pressure arises to "withdraw" everything. It is important to understand that each process has its own rules and that withdrawing is not always simple, especially when there are other associated circumstances.

Before giving in to pressure, seek legal advice and stay focused: filing a criminal complaint for threats exists to protect you. If you are afraid today, filing a criminal complaint for threats is not an exaggeration. If the pattern repeats itself, filing a criminal complaint for threats is prevention.

Conclusion

If you're considering filing a criminal complaint for threats, it's because something has already robbed you of your peace. And when peace disappears, the priority becomes regaining control. The law exists for that purpose, but it works best when used with clarity, evidence, and strategy.

If you want to proceed with a criminal complaint for threats safely and without complications, talk to online lawyers to analyze your case, gather evidence, and decide on the next step with certainty. The difference between "I'll endure it" and "I'll resolve it" often begins with this decision.