Seat belt and child seat inspections started in Portugal

A new inspection campaign for the use of seat belts, child restraint systems and other mandatory vehicle safety equipment has started across Portugal. The “Cinto-me Vivo” campaign, jointly run by ANSR, GNR and PSP, will continue between 8 and 14 September. The Portuguese Traffic Law stipulates a fine of between 120 and 600 euros for non-use or misuse of safety equipment. ANSR

Inspections will continue until September 14

Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR), Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) are running the “Cinto-me Vivo” campaign throughout the country, starting from September 8.

The campaign will continue until September 14, 2026 and will be the ninth campaign under the 2026 National Audit Plan. ANSR

Part of ANSR's work focuses on explaining the importance of safety equipment to drivers and passengers, while GNR and PSP conduct traffic enforcement in the field.

Only the driver's seat belt is not checked

According to Article 82 of the Portuguese Traffic Law, drivers and passengers in motor vehicles must use seat belts and other safety systems that the vehicle must legally have.

The same article also regulates the obligation of approved and properly fitted helmets for the drivers and passengers of certain motorcycles, mopeds, three-wheelers and four-wheelers. segurancarodoviaria.pt

Therefore, the subject of the inspection is not only the seat belt of the person behind the wheel; Passengers in the vehicle and other mandatory security systems used are also within the scope of control.

How much is the penalty for seat belt violation?

Fine for a person who does not use or misuses the mandatory security system according to Article 82 of the Código da Estrada:

Between 120 euro and 600 euro. segurancarodoviaria.pt

Therefore, sitting in the back seat does not eliminate the necessity of a seat belt.

In Portugal, the driver and passengers in a motor vehicle must use the vehicle's seat belt, subject to legal exceptions.

For which children is a child seat mandatory?

Article 55 of the Código da Estrada uses two criteria in this regard: age and height.

In a car with a seat belt:

Children under 12 years old and under 135 centimeters tall must be transported with an approved child restraint system appropriate for their height and weight. segurancarodoviaria.pt

For this reason, it is not entirely correct to just say "Child seats are mandatory in Portugal until the age of 12".

For example, even if the child is under 12 years old, the height criterion must also be evaluated according to the legislation.

The child should normally be carried in the back seat

According to the general rule of the Traffic Law, children in this scope must be transported in the back seat.

There are certain exceptions in the law.

A child under three years of age can be transported in the front seat using an appropriate rear-facing child restraint system. However, in such a case, the front passenger airbag should not be active. segurancarodoviaria.pt

There are exceptions for special cases such as not having a seat belt in the back seat of the vehicle for children aged three or over or not having a rear seat in the vehicle. segurancarodoviaria.pt

It is not enough to have a child seat in the vehicle

It is not enough for the child safety system to be purchased and installed in the vehicle.

System:

- suitable for the child's height and weight,

- approved,

- correctly positioned in the vehicle,

- belt or ISOFIX anchors used correctly

It has to happen.

The airbag issue is of vital importance, especially when a rear-facing child seat is placed on the front passenger seat.

30-second check before setting off

It is useful for those who will be driving in Portugal this week to make the following checks before setting off:

Driver: Is seat belt fastened?

Front passenger: Is the seat belt fastened?

Rear passengers: Has everyone fastened their seat belts?

Child: Is a system appropriate for his age, height and weight used?

Child seat: Is it fastened correctly?

Motorcycle: Is the helmet approved, properly adjusted and fastened?

These rules are valid not only during the campaign between 8 and 14 September; The campaign intensifies inspections of existing traffic rules.

Important for families newly moving to Portugal

Families moving to Portugal from another country should not automatically assume that the rules for transporting children in their own country are also valid in Portugal.

In Portugal, the basic threshold is being under 12 years old and under 135 cm tall. The child safety system used must also be appropriate and approved. segurancarodoviaria.pt

It is especially important for families using rental cars to add the appropriate child seat to the reservation before taking the vehicle and to check the suitability of the seat for the child during delivery.

Sources Reviewed

ANSR — “Cinto-me Vivo” campaign — September 2026 ANSR

Open ANSR campaign page and images

Código da Estrada — Artigo 55.º: Transporte de crianças em automóvel segurancarodoviaria.pt

Turn on child carrying rule

Código da Estrada — Artigo 82.º: Utilização de dispositivos de segurança segurancarodoviaria.pt