Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 10th December 2025
Good afternoon. On the eve of the General Strike there are already disruptions this Wednesday. Unions say that health, education, and transportation are expected to be the sectors most affected by Thursday’s general strike. There is one day left until the General Strike that threatens to paralyze the country, but the impact is already being felt this Wednesday, especially in the transport sector. Please see our first news item.
Yes Christmas is almost upon us and a time to celebrate with family and friends. However, criminals also like to celebrate in a rather different way! This can be through on-line scams or physical crime such as burglaries and other thefts. This is the time of year when burglaries may increase. More often this is through “Opportunist crime” (crimes of opportunity) so it is preventable. The festive period is one of the busiest times of the year — but while many of us are away visiting friends and family, unoccupied homes can unfortunately attract unwanted attention.
If you are going away use smart plugs or light timers to turn lamps and Christmas lights on and off at realistic times. Avoid leaving the same light on constantly — varied lighting patterns give the impression that someone is at home. A TV simulator or a smart speaker playing low-level sound occasionally can also help create the sense of activity indoors. Before you go away ask someone you trust to keep watch. A trusted neighbour or friend can make your home look lived in by doing small but effective things while you’re away, such as: collecting post or parcels, moving bins on collection day, parking on your driveway occasionally or moving you own car. Small actions like these create the illusion of occupancy — one of the simplest and most effective deterrents.
It’s tempting to share your holiday countdown or airport selfies, but posting about your absence can unintentionally alert criminals that your home is, or will soon be, empty. Wait until you return before posting travel updates or photos from your trip. Please read our Feature in The Resident newspaper out tomorrow 11th December.
The GNR and PSP are already conducting their various crime prevention programs in the lead up to Christmas. During a meeting with GNR Faro Territorial District on 9th December we discussed their main programs for Christmas and New year which focus on Safe Commerce, where they visit various stores concerning security of shops and traffic patrols especially over the holiday periods itself.
As far as scams there are several to be on the lookout for in the lead up to Christmas for example we are already seeing an increase in Portugal of on-line parcel delivery scams using the names of well-known couriers, such as CTT, DHL etc. If you are expecting a delivery be particularly careful. Do not click on any links in emails, open attachments or reply. These are mainly phishing emails where the fraudster is attempting to gain your personal information. Simply delete the email. Be aware any QR code embedded in an unsolicited email can be a scam. If you don’t know the sender, don’t scan the QR code. If in doubt check with the company concerned but not using the contact details in the email.
Another are fake Charity scams. Unfortunately the number of fake charity scams are increasing tugging on your heart strings at this time of the year. Never click on a hyperlink in an email purportedly from a charity. Instead visit the charity’s website first by typing the address into your browser. Before you donate, check the website you are on is secure – the web address should begin with https:// (the “s” stands for “secure”) and look for the padlock symbol. It is very risky to respond to requests to donate through a money transfer company such as Western Union or MoneyGram.
With the increasing number of cases, the country has entered an epidemic phase of influenza, a scenario that is expected to worsen. In a press conference this Monday, the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, acknowledged the challenge ahead, but assured that public health institutions are prepared. She also reinforced the appeal for vaccination of citizens who are part of priority groups. Speaking directly from the Ministry of Health in Lisbon, Ana Paula Martins assured that health institutions are “prepared and coordinated” to give “the best possible response to the Portuguese people, from prevention to treatment.” She stated that currently “the Influenza AH3 virus is predominant,” with a new subtype that could have an increased impact on at-risk groups. Therefore, she warns: the next eight weeks “will be particularly demanding”.
Our team at Safe Communities wish you at nice week ahead.
News:
The general strike hasn’t started yet, but there are already disruptions this Wednesday.
Unions say that health, education, and transportation are expected to be the sectors most affected by Thursday’s general strike. There is one day left until the General Strike that threatens to paralyze the country, but the impact is already being felt this Wednesday, especially in the transport sector.
CP – Comboios de Portugal anticipates disruptions until Friday. In a statement, the company guarantees that it will reimburse or allow exchanges for those who have purchased tickets for Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, International, InterRegional and Regional services. Strike notice https://www.cp.pt/en/detalhe-aviso/greve-11-dez
Fertagus will have minimum services.
River connections between Lisbon and the south bank of the Tagus River will also be heavily affected by the general strike. Only a minimum service of 25% is planned during the most critical morning and afternoon hours.
Carris has already announced that it will only have 12 routes available.
In Porto, disruptions are expected on the metro. The situation is different in Lisbon’s metro, which is expected to be completely closed.
In the aviation sector, TAP has cancelled several flights and SATA will only operate nine connections between the autonomous regions and Lisbon and Porto.
In healthcare, staffing schedules identical to those on Sundays and holidays will be ensured. Minimum services will guarantee the operation of emergency rooms, urgent surgeries, hospitalizations, and intensive care units.
The UGT’s general secretary predicts a firm and determined response from workers. Unions say that health, education, and transport will be the sectors most affected.
General strike leads Air Europa to cancel flights and Iberia to reduce operations to Portugal.
Air Europa has cancelled all 16 of its flights to and from Portugal, while Iberia has reduced its scheduled connections by up to 75%, following the general strike called against labour law reform. TAP expects to operate only a third of its flights during the joint strike by the CGTP and UGT unions.
Iberia confirmed to the EFE news agency on Tuesday that it will cancel 75% of its flights to and from Porto via various Spanish airports, while the cancellation rate will be 50% for flights to and from Lisbon.
According to a statement from Air Europa, the company will suspend all sixteen of its flights to and from Portugal, all originating from and destined for Madrid-Barajas Airport, which had eight flights (four outbound and four return) to Lisbon and another eight to Porto.
Air Europa has informed affected passengers that they can change their travel dates free of charge between December 9th and 18th, change their route, request a voucher, or obtain a ticket refund.
Four aviation sector unions issued a joint statement on the same day expressing solidarity with Portuguese workers during Thursday’s general strike, while also criticizing the government’s draft labour reform proposal.
In a joint statement, the Civil Aviation Pilots Union (SPAC), the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), the Aviation and Airport Workers Union (Sitava), and the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Union (Sitema) considered the Trabalho XXI draft bill to be “a civilizational setback.”
TAP’s CEO, Luís Rodrigues, assured on Tuesday that the company is prepared for the general strike scheduled for Thursday and expects to operate a third of its flights, with the main effort being to avoid affecting passengers.