Locked out of your home in Porto: what to do

What to do in the first few minutes

The door slams in the wind, or shuts behind you while you take the rubbish out, and the keys are on the kitchen table. It happens at every hour. Before you call anyone, think about three things.

Is anyone or anything at risk inside?

If a child is alone inside, someone who needs help, or a pan on the hob, call 112 first, the European emergency number. Safety comes before the lock.

Does anyone have a spare key?

A friend, a trusted neighbour, your landlord or letting agency if you rent, the person who cleans for you. A spare key half an hour away may be the simplest way back in.

Is the door just pulled shut or locked with the key?

A door that closed on the latch is not the same as one locked with the key, and that changes the job. On the phone we ask about this and about the type of door: wood, aluminium, PVC or an armoured security door, called a porta blindada.

What not to do

Out on the street, at night and in a hurry, it is tempting to get in any way you can. Some attempts turn out expensive.

• Do not try to force the lock with a card, a screwdriver or wire. There is nearly always a way in without wrecking the lock, as long as nobody has tried to force it first.
• Do not climb in through a window or from a balcony, yours or a neighbour’s. A fall is far worse than a closed door.
• Do not kick or shoulder the door. A door bent out of shape may stop closing properly.
• Be wary of anyone who gives a fixed price on the phone without knowing what door and lock you have.

The proof of address you need

We do not open a door just because someone says they live there. We always ask for proof that the property is yours: ID showing the address, a tenancy agreement or the equivalent. It is a security step that protects every resident and it is not waived, not even at night.

If your ID does not show your address, as with most passports, the tenancy agreement or an equivalent document is what counts. Think of it the other way round: if giving an address were enough, anyone could have your flat opened while you were away.

If your documents are inside, which happens a lot, say so on the phone before we set off, so we can work out with you how to show proof of address.

When to call a professional and how the door gets opened

This is the moment most people search for an emergency locksmith, a 24 hour locksmith or a locksmith open now near them. What you need is door opening in Porto. We answer out of hours, at night, at weekends and on public holidays, across Porto and Greater Porto.

You call or send a message

A person answers. We ask for the full address, including floor and door number, and the type of door. A photo of the lock on WhatsApp helps. We give you a real arrival time and agree how you would like to pay while still on the phone.

You show proof of address

Before opening, the technician checks the proof of address, as agreed on the phone.

You get the quote before we start

The technician looks at the lock and tells you what is possible and what it costs. The quote is free and nothing goes ahead without your approval.

We open by the least destructive method

Most doors open without damage. If the lock has to be sacrificed, we say so beforehand and bring a replacement with us, so your home is not left unlocked.

You keep the invoice

The invoice lists the work and the materials separately. That document is your guarantee and what entitles you to complain if anything fails.

After the door is open: should you change the lock?

If the door opened without damage and the keys were inside, the lock stays as it was. If the lock had to be sacrificed, a key snapped inside it or the keys never turned up, it is worth having a locksmith in Porto change the cylinder, the part the key goes into.

If your keys were lost outside, read our guide on lost keys and when the change should happen the same day. If you rent, tell your landlord about any lock change. And to avoid a repeat, leave a spare key with someone you trust nearby, not under the doormat or in a plant pot.

Locked out questions