Lisbon, Sept. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese national guard (GNR) carried out checks on 21,567 foreign nationals between January and the end of August this year, made 232 arrests, issued 1,500 fines and 348 notices requiring voluntary departure from the country, it was announced on Thursday.
According to data on operations carried out by the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) and the Territorial Commands, to which the Lusa news agency had access, between 29 October 2023 and 31 August this year, GNR officers inspected 103,212 foreign nationals within their territorial jurisdictions and made 459 arrests.
During the same period, a further 8,670 fines and 1,068 notices to leave the country voluntarily were issued as part of inspections of foreign nationals across their entire territorial area of responsibility.
Since 29 October 2023, following the dismantling of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), the GNR, through the UCCF, has assumed responsibility for the control of maritime and land borders, as well as for the monitoring of foreign nationals throughout its area of responsibility, which corresponds to approximately 94% of the country.
According to the data, in 2025, 54,739 foreign nationals were inspected, 210 arrests were made, 4,414 fines were drawn up and 372 notices to leave voluntarily were issued – figures higher than those for 2024, a year in which 25,904 people were inspected, 17 arrests were made, 2,730 fines and 47 notices to leave were issued.
As part of the activities of the UCCF and the Territorial Commands, enforcement operations have focused on various locations and sectors of activity.
Thus, since 29 October 2023, the GNR has inspected 46,069 foreign nationals on public roads, 20, 475 in the retail sector, 11,504 in industry, 9,615 at coach stations and railway stations, 9,462 in the hotel and catering sector, 5,238 on farms and 849 in care homes and private social welfare institutions.
The GNR also stated that, «with a particular focus on the work of the UCCF Border Guard Group, in coordination with the Territorial Commands, it plays a key role in monitoring and controlling the secondary movements and the stay of foreign nationals within the country».
It also highlighted its work in the «prevention, detection and suppression of associated offences, particularly those related to illegal immigration, human trafficking and labour exploitation», as well as the illegal residence of foreign nationals.
In the same statement, the GNR emphasised that the work carried out «has seen significant progress since it assumed these responsibilities, as a result of growing operational maturity, the ongoing technical training of personnel and the deepening of practical knowledge on the ground».
ARA/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
