Portugal’s border security is shaped by its geography and role within the Schengen Area, placing responsibility on protecting the EU’s external frontier. Since the dissolution of the SEF, the border security function is coordinated by the Sistema de Seguranca Interna (Internal Security System) and implemented by the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) and Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR).
Administrative overload and legal migration pressure remains Portugal’s main challenges, but the country relies on maritime and airport surveillance rather than land borders. Its Atlantic coastline presents monitoring challenges, particularly for irregular migration routes and drug trafficking. The country faces growing inflows of irregular migrants from Africa, Brazil, and South Asia, creating administrative strain in processing visas, asylum claims, and residency permits, leading to backlogs and delays.
Migration has become more contentious recently, with pressure to tighten rules after years of relatively open policies. At the same time, labour shortages mean Portugal still depends heavily on migrant workers.
Portugal is not unique in its border management challenges and must strengthen surveillance, streamline bureaucracy, and enhance EU cooperation while maintaining its rights-based migration approach.
The World Border Security Congress is a high level 3 day event that will discuss and debate current and future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management.
Join us in Lisbon, Portugal on 13th-15th April 2027 for the next gathering of international border security, protection and migration management professionals.