PSP conducts border checks on 52,000 passengers
The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) screened approximately 52,000 passengers at national airports this Sunday to ensure compliance with Schengen area regulations. Authorities applied 16 precautionary measures during the process. To manage wait times, which reached up to 60 minutes in Porto and 47 minutes in Lisbon, the government has reinforced human resources at border control points.
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.
