Latest news and stories about airport security in Portugal for expats and residents.
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A woman was detained at Lisbon Airport for possession of cocaine sufficient for at least 8,500 individual doses. The suspect had arrived from a South American country.

Part of the seized drug was being carried inside the detainee's body, the PJ (Polícia Judiciária) reported.

CCTV recordings will be used as evidence in the trial of the former MP.

Portuguese outlets report the Public Security Police (PSP) screened more than 11 million passengers at Lisbon airport in 2025, refusing entry to 1,867 people and detaining 263; separate reporting says PSP identifies an average of about 70 suspicious international passengers a day. Coverage combines national totals with daily operational figures and highlights intensified checks on arrivals. Travelers should note increased security controls may mean longer queues and documentary checks at Lisbon airport — carry ID and travel papers and allow extra time for arrivals and departures.

The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.

The investigation began after the seizure of luggage arriving from an African country containing more than 1,600 grams of cocaine. Two suspects were detained, including the alleged leader of the international group.

The Judicial Police (PJ) dismantled a trafficking network operating through Lisbon Airport from Africa, seizing cocaine and arresting two further suspects today in an investigation launched in 2025, including the alleged ringleader.

Authorities seized cocaine and detained two further suspects in the investigation launched in 2025, including the alleged ringleader of the network.

Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) detained three people at Lisbon Airport; two of the suspects were being sought under international warrants or alerts.

The Government said it “has not reduced border control by one millimetre” after suspending the new European model following problems at Lisbon Airport, and stressed that it is necessary to preserve its credibility. “We suspended it to rethink the model. The challenge is at a European level. The Government has not reduced border control by one millimetre,” ...


The border control system at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon has been reinforced with 24 GNR personnel and 80 PSP officers.
Home News Passengers tried to board with fake passports at Lisbon Airport Passengers tried to board with fake passports at Lisbon Airport A man and a woman were arrested at Lisbon Airport for attempting to board with fraudulent passports.

Home News €7 million for electronic control machines at airports €7 million for electronic control machines at airports According to Observador, the Government has authorised the PSP to spend more than seven billion euros on electronic control machines for airports.
After stealing other people's suitcases at Lisbon airport, Miguel Arruda spread the clothes and other items, such as perfumes, out on the bed and sent photographs of everything to his wife.

Former Chega MP Miguel Arruda was charged by the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público) with 21 counts of aggravated theft for allegedly stealing several suitcases at Lisbon Airport between October 2024 and January 2025.

At the debate requested by the Socialist Party (PS) on the 'chaos at Lisbon airport', the Secretary of State says this does not 'in any way compromise national security' and that essential controls remain 'operational'.

The Government said on Wednesday that the temporary suspension of the European border control system for non-EU citizens at Lisbon Airport “in no way compromises national security” and is already “yielding results.” “I want to make this very clear, so there is no misinterpretation. This suspension does not compromise in any way...”

A total of 60 PSP police officers began a course this week on air border control to reinforce Lisbon airport from the end of February, the police force has announced. The post Another 60 police officers begin training to beef border controls at Lisbon airport appeared first on Portugal Resident.

The GNR association warns it cannot reinforce the airport in the long term. The European Commission has already requested details about the suspension of the border control system for non‑EU citizens.

There are, for now, no reports of damage or casualties. Also in this bulletin: 24 GNR personnel are reinforcing border control at Lisbon Airport today.
