What to Do If Your Phone or Wallet Is Stolen in Europe: Step-by-Step Recovery

The Immediate Action Checklist

If you discover your wallet or smartphone has been stolen, act systematically to protect your finances and secure documentation for insurance claims.

1. Freeze Banking Cards Instantly (Minutes 1–10)

Log into your banking app on a laptop, tablet, or friend’s phone and toggle the 'Freeze Card' switch. With Wise, Revolut, and modern banks, you can freeze individual cards in 5 seconds without canceling your entire account.

2. Remotely Lock and Wipe Your Smartphone (Minutes 10–20)

• For Apple: Use Find My (icloud.com/find) from any web browser. Mark the device as Lost and enter a contact phone number. Do not remove the device from your iCloud account (this preserves Activation Lock, preventing thieves from wiping and reselling the hardware).
• For Android: Use Google’s Find My Device to lock the screen.

3. File an Official Police Report (Denuncia)

For travel insurance reimbursement, you must obtain a stamped written police report. In Spain, visit the dedicated tourist police (SATE); in Portugal, visit the PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública). Explain that you need a written report for travel insurance purposes.