In 2025, around 200 vehicles per day were identified driving without mandatory inspection. Porto and Lisbon accounted for 35% of the offences, while in 2026 more than 17,000 cases have already been recorded up to 23 March, the GNR warns.
GNR detected almost 73,000 vehicles without inspection in 2025, with Lisbon and Porto accounting for a third of the offences
Friday, 27 March 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is Portugal's national gendarmerie—a military police force founded in 1911, with origins dating to 1801. With over 22,600 personnel, GNR patrols 94-96% of Portuguese territory, covering rural areas, medium towns, and highways. Members are military personnel subject to military law, responsible for public order, customs, coastal control, environmental protection (SEPNA), firefighting/rescue (GIPS), border control, and ceremonial guards. GNR vs. PSP: The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's civilian police force, covering major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro) and large urban areas—only 4% of territory but roughly half the population. PSP handles airport security, diplomatic protection, and private security regulation. Both share core missions (public order, crime prevention), but differ in nature: GNR is military with military training; PSP is civilian with police-focused training.
