Minister of Internal Administration (Ministro da Administração Interna) Luís Neves announced that Portugal will digitise traffic violation notices starting in January. The government also plans to revive the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) Traffic Brigade (Brigada de Trânsito) in early 2027 and revise the Highway Code (Código da Estrada). Neves told parliament during budget hearings that the measures aim to accelerate fine processing and increase road enforcement.
Traffic Brigade Returns as Digital Fines Launch in 2027
Friday, 6 November 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
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.
