UPDATED 4-5-23. In 2014 I began visiting Portugal. I began to learn the language, meet the people, and eat all the best Portuguese food. I was filling in the gaps of my junior high school history/geography teacher with “What did the Portuguese do in 1492?”. Being here, I learned about their massive participation in the slave trade, the history of violence in Brazil, and how they reconciled with their past and became a better culture. This is what great nations do. They look at their past, talk about it, and try to empower the next generation to be better.
Is Portugal Safe?
As I write this on my phone, I am walking near the city center of Lisboa. Tourists fresh off the cruise boats are clamoring for the best selfie with the Tejo (Targus) river. The city is an old culture that has modernized as fast as China in merely 10-years. The one thing I don’t really worry about is someone stealing my iPhone X (I’m looking at you Cali, Colombia).
In my travels through Colombian cities like Cali or Bogota, or those adventures in Sao Paulo, I was acutely aware of my stuff and my surroundings. You have to be. In Rome, in 2014, I saw a pickpocket put his hand into a tourist purse (if you see something, say something). In Budapest, I saw a Romani begger get robbed by some drunk kids. The world is harsh at times, but not so much in Portugal.
The biggest crimes here are petty theft and crimes of passion. Unlike other places in the world, they are not mafia or gun related (looking at you United States). As long as you execute common sense (aka – don’t get drunk in Bairro Alto and try to buy MJ from the guys at the Miradouro), you should be just fine.
Where Does Portugal Rank In World Safety
I’m sad to say that we used to be much better. When I first wrote up this article, my newly adopted home dropped from #3 on the World Peace index to #4. This year (2022) we dropped to #6. This was mostly due to a higher arrest rate, a slight increase in murder rates, and a slight increase in political instability. So really, it isn’t all that bad here (it’s actually quite safe), but the declining trend in safety is concerning.
Is Portugal Really Safe?
Yes. Portugal ranks 6th on the World Peace Index, it is still freaking good. Safety is one of the main reasons I decided to move to Portugal. I also moved to Lisbon for a few other reasons. Let’s take a look at each one:
The Weather: First, there’s fantastic weather. After dealing with freezing weather, yellow and grey snow, and insane wind tunnels in NYC…it was time to make a change.
Stuff to Do: Portugal is not boring. Although it is a small country, it’s got some great cities, plenty of art, mountains, oceans. And of course there are plenty of things to do in Lisbon.
Safety: I eventually had to get to this part. Living in New York I hardly ever felt unsafe. For such a densely populated city, it’s incredibly safe. So while I was not escaping safety issues in NY, it was a consideration. It would not make sense to move somewhere unsafe or where you need to always be careful that you aren’t giving papaya (ask a Colombian friend about this) to thieves on the streets. Portugal’s safety was a huge point to consider in our choice to relocate. Let’s break down why Portugal is so damn safe.
Portugal Safety Stats
Crime Stats In Portugal
As I mentioned before, there was very little violent crime activity in Portugal. However, recent trends have shown an increase in crime across the country. According to the 2022 RASI (annual homeland security report), all districts in Portugal have seen an increase in crime, with Portalegre, Évora, and Santarém experiencing the most significant growth. Vila Real and Bragança have seen the least growth, and only the Azores have shown a reduction in the number of crimes registered. Domestic violence continues to be a major issue, and offenses such as drink driving and offenses to physical integrity are also prevalent.
RASI 2022 Crime Report
The 2022 RASI report revealed that Portalegre, Évora, and Santarém are the districts where crimes have grown most in the last year, while Vila Real and Bragança are the areas where it has grown least. The Azores is the only region that has shown a reduction in the number of crimes registered.
Domestic violence “dominates the map of criminality,” but it is no longer among the ‘top three most committed crimes’ in the Algarve and Bragança as it was in 2021. The five boroughs with the highest number of crimes are Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Almada.
Faro district, including all 16 municipalities of the Algarve, saw a 15% increase in crime last year, with offenses to physical integrity being the No 1 crime (1,668 incidents), followed by drunk driving (1,564) and criminal damage (1,505).
Despite these trends, Portugal remains relatively safe compared to many other countries. Petty theft and crimes of passion are still the most common types of crime, and mafia or gun-related crimes are rare. Tourists and residents should exercise common sense and vigilance, especially in touristy areas.
Terrorism Stats In Portugal
The threat of terrorism is close to zero in Portugal. In fact, there have been no terrorist incidents since 2012. The country has open borders with neighboring countries and its EU pals, but the police works well to keep the country safe.
Ethnic Violence Stats In Portugal
Is Portugal racist? Not really. Yes, there are undertones of classism and racism, but nowhere near what you see or experience in other countries. If you’re darker-skinned (like me) you may get a dirty look from a Tia de Cascais from time to time, but that’s as much as I’ve experienced in all my time here. Most of the racism is thrown towards gypsies, Brazilians, and people from African countries. Ethnic violence in Portugal, it is slowly increasing with the rise of immigration and fascism (I am looking at you Chega). Bruno Cande, a Portuguese actor with roots from Guinea Bissau was killed in a hate crime in 2020. It makes me sad to see this happen since racial bias is one of the reasons I moved out of the US and to Portugal. Portugal has a plan, only time will tell if it will work.
LGBTQ safety In Portugal
As with any other country, there are assholes who are narrowminded. The good news is that most people in Portugal won’t care what the hell you do in your private life, especially in the bigger cities. Portugal is incredibly accepting. The following stats came from the 2019 ILGA report on hate incidents of which LGBTI+ people are victims (2020 & 2021 are not ready yet).
- 171 complaints regarding discrimination and/or violence against the LGBT community in Portugal (for reference, in 2019 Portugal’s population had a total of 10.29 million.
- 43% of the complaints were made by the victims themselves.
- 21% were reported by witnesses.
- 18% by LGBT organizations and support services.
- 9% by Frances of the ILGA association’s services such as Victim Support Services.
Petty Crimes That Piss Me Off
Parking Assistants
This annoyed me to no end when I first arrived. I’ve come to terms with it and now accept it fully. When you’re trying to park or finding a spot, there will be men who “help” you park. If you don’t pay them for their “service” expect your car to be scratched or vandalized. Just tip them €1, thank them, and go your merry way.
Car Theft
When going to places like Sintra, Peniche, Nazaré, Guincho, Cabo da Roca, and Boca do Inferno use paid parking areas whenever possible. Thieves look for tourist rental cars (I suggest you remove the car rental company decal to seem a bit more like a local) to try to steal cameras or other valuable items that may be left behind.
The Flat Tire Scam
If you come back to your car to a flat tire and someone is conveniently there to try to help you, just act with caution. Many times that good samaritan is there to distract you while someone else
If when returning to a parked vehicle, you find a flat and with someone conveniently there volunteering to assist with repairs, use caution. While a helpful citizen distracts the traveler, an accomplice will steal your stuff.
Soccer Crime
I know I’ve mentioned Colombia before. Portuguese love soccer, but I consider them apathetic to the sport compared to Colombians. Sometimes there will be a fight after a match, but nothing like what happens in Colombia.
Drugs
Drugs are not “legal” in Portugal. They are decriminalized. You can’t sell, and if you get caught with drugs, it better be only for your personal use (there are specific numbers that you are allowed to get caught with). Most Portuguese people don’t really do drugs (at least this is what I have seen in Lisbon). Most drug use is by tourists who want to get f’d up in Bairro Alto. Really, the most common drug crime in Portugal is dealers who sell oregano to tourists.
What To Do And What Number to Call If Something Happens To You In Portugal?
The equivalent of 911 is 112 and they will have English speakers available. If something really bad happens, contact your Embassy or Consulate. The consulate won’t be able to do everything, but they can help with stolen passports, contacting family, and suggesting legal representation should you need one. Police are pretty good here. They aren’t threatening like in the US and they really feel like they’re here to help. However, they have a laissez-faire attitude towards petty crime. Because tourism is such an important part of the DGP, the Portuguese government works hard to make sure tourists are safe.
US Embassy Lisbon
Av. das Forças Armadas, Sete-Rios
1600-081 Lisbon, Portugal
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-5:00 pm (except for American and Portuguese holidays)
Tel: + (351) (21) 770-2122
Emergency After-Hours Tel: + (351) (21)-770-2122 or + (351) (21) 727-3300
Email: [email protected]
Have any other questions about safety in Portugal? Leave your question in the comments.
I never realized how safe Portugal was. It also looks like they have a lot to offer tourists. I may have to check out Portugal for a vacation in the future!
It is really incredible. Even with COVID. We are almost 100% back here. It just seems the government not only put the right rules in place, but also gave the people the right resources to make it easier to follow those rules. My only regret in moving to Portugal was not moving here sooner 😉
I was just in Portugal last Fall… actually it was my last trip before Covid. I have to agree that it is very safe! It is a beautiful country with a lot to offer.
I’m glad you made it here before COVID and that you enjoyed Portugal. It really is a gorgeous place to live and visit. Stay safe and come back when all this is over.