Portugal criminal asset seizure and legal scrutiny

Portugal’s Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Prosecution (DCIAP) reported a significant increase in asset seizures in 2025, with values exceeding 573 million euros. This figure represents a 261.87% rise from the 158.4 million euros seized in 2024. These investigations cover various crimes, including corruption, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.

Despite the high volume of seizures, the Public Ministry noted challenges in the judicial phase, observing that only one judicial decision resulted in a state loss of 72,295.80 euros in 2025. However, one archived investigation led to the forfeiture of approximately 3.86 million euros due to its links to corruption and money laundering.

Parallel to these enforcement successes, the legal framework governing seized assets has faced criticism. Under Decreto-Lei n. º 11/2007, authorities can declare assets to have ‘operational utility,’ allowing the state to use items like vehicles and computers during ongoing proceedings. Critics argue this practice can lead to the deterioration of property and creates a conflict of interest, as the institutions benefiting from the use of the assets are also the ones responsible for declaring them useful.