Crime rate trends in Portugal

Crime trends in Portugal show a divergence between national increases and localized decreases in specific regions. National data indicates an upward trend in crime rates, though the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) attributes some of the rise in detected crimes to increased police proactivity and surveillance.

In metropolitan areas, the Porto Metropolitan Area saw a 10.9% increase in general crime, while the Lisbon Metropolitan Area experienced a 2.9% rise. However, both regions reported decreases in violent and serious crime. The Setúbal District Command also reported declines in both general and violent crime.

In Madeira, the PSP reported a 37% decrease in violent and serious crime during the first half of 2026. Despite this downward trend in violence, Superintendent Ricardo Abreu Matos noted that road safety remains a critical concern, with eight road fatalities recorded in the first six months of the year and an overall increase in accidents compared to 2025. During the week of August 28 to September 3, 2026, the region recorded 73 traffic accidents, with Funchal experiencing the highest volume at 24 incidents.

Narcotics enforcement remains a focus; in the first half of 2026, the PSP intercepted approximately 170 people for drug possession and arrested 19 suspects for trafficking. Seizures included 5.8 kg of cocaine, 2.8 kg of heroin, 2.4 kg of hashish, and 5 kg of new psychoactive substances. To address road safety, the PSP intends to increase mobile surveillance and install new radars on the highway.