GNR's inspections of foreigners increased: 21,567 people were checked, 232 were detained in eight months

A significant increase was recorded in GNR's inspections of foreign citizens in Portugal in 2026. According to official data announced by GNR on September 17, 21,567 foreign citizens were inspected in the first eight months of the year, 232 people were detained and 649 people were notified to leave the country voluntarily.

It is important to interpret the data correctly: The vast majority of the 21,567 people inspected were not detained, and checking a person does not mean that he committed a crime.

232 detentions in the first eight months of 2026

The data announced by GNR until August 31, 2026 is as follows:

Audited people: 21,567

Detention: 232

Administrative violation report: 1,500

Notificação para Abandono Voluntário (NAV): 649

232 detentions exceed the 210 detentions recorded in the whole of 2025.

In 2024, only 17 detentions were made in 25,904 inspections.

GNR explains the increase with the operational maturation of new mission areas, increased technical capacity of personnel and improved experience in the field.

GNR's mandate expanded after SEF was closed

Within the scope of the restructuring of SEF, as of October 29, 2023, GNR, through Unidade de Controlo Costeiro e de Fronteiras, has undertaken duties regarding the control of land and sea borders, as well as the supervision of foreign citizens in its area of responsibility.

GNR is responsible for covering approximately 94 percent of Portuguese territory. works in the field.

Total between 29 October 2023–31 August 2026:

103,212 people were inspected, 459 people were detained, 8,670 administrative violation reports were prepared and 1,068 NAV notifications were made.

Where are inspections carried out?

GNR data shows that inspections are not carried out only at border points.

Since the end of 2023:

46,069 people in public area and road controls,

20,475 people in commercial enterprises,

11,504 people in industrial areas,

9,615 people in bus terminals and train stations,

9,462 people in the hotel and restaurant sector,

5,238 people work in agricultural enterprises,

849 people were inspected in nursing homes and IPSS institutions.

GNR states that these operations aim to detect irregular migration, as well as human trafficking and labor exploitation.

What does “notice of voluntary withdrawal” mean?

NAV, or Notificação para Abandono Voluntário, is an administrative notice for a person to leave Portugal.

This process is not the same legal process as detention, conviction or direct forced deportation.

The person's immigration status and the conditions in his file determine the subsequent legal process.

Therefore, GNR's figures should not be interpreted as "21 thousand foreigners were prosecuted." According to official data, 21,567 people were inspected; 232 of them were detained.

Resources

Guarda Nacional Republicana — September 17 2026

https://www.gnr.pt/noticias.aspx?linha=32313

Renascença — Liliana Monteiro — 17 September 2026

https://rr.pt/noticia/pais/2026/09/17/gnr-disparam-detencoes-de-estrangeiros-e-notificacoes-para-abandono-voluntario-do-pais/485736/