Friday Briefing: How safe is Portugal?

Good morning and welcome to PORTUGAL DECODED. In short: quite safe. Preliminary 2024 official data shows a 4.6% drop in crime, but authorities are concerned about gangs and internet subcultures.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Alain Biet via Colossal

POLITICS

Talking about safety: this week, the European Commission told citizens to prepare a three-day survival kit for an emergency, be it a conflict or a natural disaster, including bottled water, energy bars, and a flashlight (More).

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) secured a decisive victory in the Madeira regional election, forming a governing majority with the Christian Democrats (CDS). In a major upset, the Socialist Party (PS) fell to third place (More).

SOCIETY

On April 1, employers’ confederations and AIMA will sign a ‘Green Lane’ agreement to fast-track work visas (within 20 days) for foreign workers with secured jobs, housing, and training (More).

The Lisbon’s City Council plans to remove 25 jacaranda trees and transplant 22 others to make way for an underground parking lot has sparked public outcry, including a petition that already surpasses 50,000 signatures (More).

ECONOMICS

Starting March 31, Portugal reopens its electric vehicle incentive program. Private buyers exchanging older cars can receive up to €4,000, while enhanced subsidies support electric bikes and motorcycles, with €13.5M in funding available (More).

Portugal ended 2024 with a budget surplus of 0.7% of GDP, surpassing initial government projections, highlighting its economic and fiscal resilience amid broader global instability (More).

CULTURE AND SPORTS

Catarina Campos will make history this Saturday as the first woman to officiate a Portuguese Primeira Liga match, marking a milestone in her career after years of officiating in national and international competitions (More).

Photographer Maria Abranches has won one of the prestigious World Press Photo 2025 awards for her project ‘MARIA’ that tells the story of an Angolan woman trafficked to Portugal as a child and forced into decades of domestic labor (More).

DECODER

What are the key findings of the 2024 crime data?

This week, the Government released preliminary results for 2024 of Portugal’s Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), which presents detailed crime statistics, as well as information about emerging threats such as cybercrime, organized crime, and terrorism. The data reveals a 4.6% decrease in overall reported crime in Portugal, reversing an upward trend since 2021 and bringing figures back to pre-pandemic levels. Violent and serious crime, despite widespread concerns over a potential surge, increased by only 2.6%, totaling 14,385 cases - the smallest rise in a decade. Homicides declined slightly to 89, one fewer than in 2023 and below the 2014-2023 average. Domestic violence remains the most reported crime but saw a further 0.8% decrease.

Does the report address the unrest in Lisbon’s outer suburbs last October?

Yes. The report highlights two key findings regarding last October’s unrest. First, many of those arrested were linked to youth offender groups operating in Greater Lisbon’s outskirts. Data shows that group crime, offenses involving three or more suspects, rose by 8% in 2024, reaching approximately 7,300 incidents. Much of this violence stems from rivalries and occurs in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers and transport hubs. Additionally, juvenile delinquency, crimes committed by youths aged 12 to 16, rose by 12%, surpassing 2,060 cases in 2023, a level only exceeded once in the past decade, in 2015. Second, the report reveals that many participants were recruited through social media groups, with some crimes even glorified in songs circulating on these platforms.

Last October, Portugal was taken by surprise by the scale of unrest and violence in Lisbon’s outskirts | Photo credits: EBU/RTP.

What else does the report say about criminality and internet use?

For the first time, the report highlights that neo-Nazis and Islamic radicals are using the internet to target Portuguese children and young people. Authorities have observed a growing spread of extremist content online, reaching a diverse audience across socio-economic and generational lines. This propaganda, classified as having a “terrorist matrix” and an “explicit appeal to violence,” has led to the radicalization of increasingly younger individuals. The PJ warns that charismatic online figures, acting as “influencers” on social media, are driving the rise of new nationalist far-right movements, which are seen as more appealing than traditional neo-Nazi or white supremacist groups. Similarly, jihadist propaganda follows a pattern of radicalizing younger individuals, including pre-teens.

The report is released amid growing debates in Portugal over youth smartphone use, sparked by the hit Netflix series Adolescence.

Does this only happen in the movies?

No. On Thursday, the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) announced the arrest of three young social media “influencers” in Loures, Lisbon district, suspected of committing aggravated rape and child pornography offenses against a 16-year-old girl. According to the PJ investigation, the three suspects allegedly coerced the victim into sexual acts as a group, filmed the acts without her consent, and subsequently shared the footage on social media platforms. João Oliveira, director of PJ’s Lisbon and Tagus Valley division, revealed to journalists that the underage victim had been following the three self-described influencers on social media prior to the incident. The suspects, aged between 17 and 19 years old, were brought before a judge for their first formal interrogation and were placed under court-ordered restrictions requiring weekly check-ins with authorities and a complete prohibition on any contact with the victim.

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TIPS OF THE WEEK

Lisbon

Lisbon Vinyl Fair

The Lisbon Vinyl Fair returns to Mercado de Santa Clara from March 28-30, alongside the iconic Feira da Ladra. A must-visit for vinyl and music lovers, the event features a diverse lineup of exhibitors offering everything from timeless classics to rare finds, plus turntable accessories and equipment. With free entry, it’s a prime opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to discover new musical treasures in a vibrant atmosphere. The fair runs on Friday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This edition will welcome top vendors, including António Manza, Equilibrium Music, Regresso ao Passado, Pantero Records, Carbono Amadora, Groovie Records, La Bomba (Spain), and Capitão Gancho, among many others.

Porto

Rodrigo Leão - Os Portugueses

On Saturday, March 29, at 9 PM, Rodrigo Leão returns to Casa da Música to perform his 2018 work Os Portugueses (The Portuguese), an album steeped in portugalidade—the unique essence of Portuguese identity—blending traditional instruments like adufe and bombo with classical and contemporary sounds. Accompanied by an eight-piece ensemble, including Ana Vieira (vocals) and Celina Piedade (accordion), Leão revisits the influences of his youth in the 1970s. A founding member of Sétima Legião (1982) and Madredeus (1985), Leão helped shape Portugal’s musical landscape before launching his solo career in 1993 with Ave Mundi Luminar. His collaborations span Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Stuart Staples (Tindersticks), Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Ludovico Einaudi.

Curia

National Meeting of Sparking Wines

Let your inner Gatsby shine at this event set in the grand and timeless ambiance of the Curia Palace Hotel. The 3rd edition of Millèsime – National Meeting of Sparkling Wines takes place this weekend, March 29 and 30, organized by the Municipality of Anadia in partnership with Grandes Escolhas wine magazine. This exclusive gathering will feature around 50 national sparkling wine producers with a designation of origin. Throughout the event, guests can enjoy four guided sparkling wine tastings led by experts. Each producer will have a dedicated space for showcasing and sampling their finest selections. Beyond the world of sparkling wine, visitors can indulge in a curated selection of regional delicacies from Bairrada, perfectly paired with the event’s effervescent stars, along with traditional sweets. The program also includes live entertainment to enhance the experience. Admission is €10 per day or €15 for both days. Event hours are 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM on March 29 and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM on March 30.

Águeda

Kriol Jazz Festival

For the first time in Europe, the Kriol Jazz Festival arrives in Portugal, directly from Cape Verde. Hosted by the Centro de Artes de Águeda (CAA), this event showcases renowned artists such as Elida Almeida, Sixun, Mario Canonge (Trio), and Kenny Garrett. On Sunday, French pianist Mario Canonge, originally from Martinique, takes the stage in a trio format, further emphasizing his signature fusion of Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Closing this first Portuguese edition of the Kriol Jazz Festival is one of the most celebrated figures in global jazz: American saxophonist and composer Kenny Garrett. A former collaborator of legends such as Duke Ellington, Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis—whom he played with until the very end—Garrett has released over 20 albums as a bandleader. The Grammy-winning Detroit native continuously infuses his music with diverse global influences. The individual ticket costs five euros, while the full festival pass is priced at fifteen euros.

Portimão

Superbike World Championship

The Superbike World Championship returns to Portugal this weekend as the Algarve International Racetrack (AIA) in Portimão hosts the first European round of the season from March 28 to 30. Over three days, fans can enjoy nine races alongside a variety of entertainment. The popular Paddock Show will feature daily appearances from riders, while a DJ will keep the atmosphere lively in the food area near the AIA pool. Thrill-seekers can participate in “Hot Lap” events, experiencing the circuit at high speeds, or take a more relaxed ride on the “tourist train” through the track’s 15 turns. On March 29 and 30, fans will have the chance to walk the open pit lane and even ride their own motorcycles around the circuit during the bike parade. Portugal will host another round in Estoril on October 11-12, before the championship concludes in Spain on October 18-19.