Permission for 27 security cameras in Lisbon's Bairro Alto district for three more years

The Portuguese government extended the operating period of the 27-camera security system used in the Bairro Alto area of ​​Lisbon, known for its nightlife, for another three years.

While the decision became official with the regulation published in Diário da República, Polícia de Segurança Pública will continue to be responsible for the operation of the cameras.

The system has been used since 2014

The videovigilância system in Bairro Alto became operational on May 22, 2014.

The permission to use the system was renewed in subsequent years, first for two-year periods, and then for three-year periods.

Before the final decision, the PSP National Directorate applied for a new extension.

The government also allowed the use of 27 cameras for another three years, considering that the existing security reasons continued.

Why did the government decide to extend it?

In the decision, the fact that Bairro Alto is one of the most lively areas of Lisbon is cited as one of the main reasons.

The intense nightlife of the region, high pedestrian traffic and the possibility of different security incidents, from small-scale crimes to serious crimes, are among the reasons for continuing the system.

The decision was signed by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Telmo Correia.

126 cameras are currently in operation in Lisbon

Bairro Alto is just one part of a wider security camera network in Lisbon.

According to the data announced by the Lisbon Municipality in July, there are currently 126 videovigilância cameras are in operation.

Of these:

27 in Bairro Alto,

32 in Campo das Cebolas,

30 in Cais do Sodré,

17 in Restauradores,

20 of them are located in Ribeira das Naus.

Hundreds of new cameras may come to Lisbon

The municipality's plan is not limited to the current system.

Câmara Municipal de Lisboa aims to install a total of 500 new cameras in areas such as Parque das Nações, Almirante Reis and Avenida da Liberdade, within the scope of the second protocol planned to be made with PSP.

The estimated investment amount of this project is €12 million.

After this, 116 more cameras are planned to be installed in the Baixa Pombalina and Santa Apolónia regions. It is anticipated that an investment of approximately €3.5 million for this phase will be included in the 2027–2028 municipal budgets.

Therefore, the latest decision for Bairro Alto is considered as part of the larger videovigilância network that Lisbon plans to expand in the coming years.

Resources

ECO / Lusa — 14 September 2026

https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/09/14/governo-autoriza-renovacao-da-videovigilancia-no-bairro-alto-em-lisboa/