The Portugal News reported yesterday that the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, had announced surprise police road checks for the holiday weekend.
In addition to random police road checks, driving at speeds of 180 or 200 kilometres per hour (km/h) or more could become a crime under the new Highway Code, CNN Portugal reports: "Seventy percent of the new Highway Code is practically stabilised," Luís Neves revealed at a press conference in Lisbon.
The legislation aims to create an environment where going out on the road doesn't have to be dangerous and where "other citizens on the road" are respected.
Criminalising driving above high speeds, such as 180 or 200 km/h, is under consideration, as this is currently only regarded as a minor offence.
The drafting of a new Highway Code was one of the initiatives announced in April by Luís Neves as a measure to reduce road accidents, along with the reactivation of the GNR Traffic Brigade, the installation of more speed cameras, and the implementation of unannounced stop-and-go operations.
Luís Neves has acknowledged the delay in the preparation of the National Road Safety Strategy, which has been pending approval since 2021. The strategy aims to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030 compared to 2019.
Until September 15th, the ministry is analysing “around 70 proposals, which were received during the public discussion of the national road safety strategy proposal. Once it's concluded, it will go to the Council of Ministers for approval.
Starting November 1st, pilot tests will begin in pre-selected locations "to understand all types of driving behaviour,” the officials added.
According to Luís Neves, programs will be used that allow for the recovery of images and the collection of information on various aspects, including speed, mobile phone usage, and "whether or not the license plate is real,” CNN Portugal reports.
By the beginning of 2027, a new computer system for all traffic violations will be ready, allowing for faster collection of fines for infractions committed on the road: "We are very motivated (...) in the fight against this lack of compliance with the law, against this civil war that we have on the roads," the Minister of Internal Administration stressed.
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Law in Portugal is a theorem it is not enforced by anyone and nothing. Impunity is the law of the land.
By Diogo F. from Madeira on 13 Aug 2026, 12:24
As the country comes to grip with the challenges of traffic and driving enforcement there are a few simple zero cost, high revenue actions that could be taken. First, dashcams with a goverment platform for submissions that fines or legal action taken. Driving enforcement could be viewed as a revenue stream with patrol vehicles each issued a speed gun or speed cameras installed on most major and high use roads. In two days I have been passed by groups of motorcycles in excess of 200 kph. They should loose their licenses for 1-3 years and vehicles confiscated. It is the typical happens throughout the E.U. and elsewhere.
By John Fields from Madeira on 14 Aug 2026, 07:53
"We are very motivated (...) in the fight against this lack of compliance with the law, against this civil war that we have on the roads". Ministerial waffle, nothing will change, we have heard it all before!
By Greg from Other on 14 Aug 2026, 08:02
Make it 121 kph. Also make fines based on income like Norway. Just drive on the A5 and witness the races towards Cascais because those people don't care if they pay a fine.
By nunof from Lisbon on 14 Aug 2026, 17:05
In Denmark you lose your vehicle (car, bus, van, truck - also private, borrowed, rented, leased, company..!!!) if you drive over 100% of the permitted speed.
This will happen at, for example, 81km/h where the maximum is 40km/h.
Above 200km/h you always lose your vehicle, as well as being under the influence of strong medication, all types of drugs, >2‰ alcohol. And then a big fee.
The vehicle is sold at auction and the money goes to the state treasury.
This also applies to foreigners....!
And then there are rules for losing your driver's license in 3, 5 10 years, or for life.
By Ole Blaabaek from Algarve on 14 Aug 2026, 19:27
I'm used to aerial highway patrol as well as patrol cars, and it was a real shock to see a total absence of any police on the roads here. It's no wonder there's no real speed limit. If I try and pass someone to go the speed limit, I'm run off the lane by cars doing many times faster. A local Portuguese friend said "driving laws are only suggestions in Portugal". Swell! Why does one have to go 60 km over the speed limit before there "may" be a real consequence. How about 10 kms over or 5? Even the price of petrol hasn't changed driving habits.
By Dorothy Hopkins from Algarve on 18 Aug 2026, 10:22