The Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA), as part of a strategy to strengthen Portugal's external projection and defend its strategic national interests, is present around the world in various locations and at various levels, through:
- The deployment of the Security Forces in United Nations peacekeeping missions and in civil crisis management missions under European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy;
- The deployment of its personnel in various organisational of FRONTEX units (performing a wide range of functions) and active participation in the agency's operations;
- The deployment of experts to key positions in the United Nations, the European Union and other international organisations that carry out projects and missions on all continents;
- Presence in support and response missions carried out within the framework of Civil Protection Mechanism for disaster situations coordinated by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC);
- Promoting Technical-Police Cooperation and Civil Protection projects in the Portuguese Speaking African Countries (PALOP) countries and East Timor;
- Ensuring the security of Portuguese diplomatic network;
In 2025, MHA deployed a total of 595 personnel (National Republican Guard – GNR, Public Security Police – PSP, ANEPC and General Secretariat oh MHA - SGMAI) and was present in 60 countries (four more than in 2024) and on all continents where European Union and United Nations agencies, institutions and missions are based, as well as in other international organisations and bodies or governmental structures.
When compared with the same period last year, the figures were very similar in terms of the number of staff committed, but while in 2024 the monthly average was 238, in 2025 it was already 286. With the exception of three months, there was a growing trend throughout the year.
The presence of MHA Security Forces was significant on the European continent (EU civilian CSDP missions and FRONTEX) and relevant in Africa (United Nations peacekeeping missions).
The MHA role in cooperation with Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)
Under the Technical Police and Civil Protection Cooperation Programme (PCTPPC) with the PALOP countries and East Timor, various MHA personnel (from GNR, PSP and Human Beings Trafficking Observatory - OTSH) were involved in providing a range of training courses to strengthen technical, police and civil protection skills of trainees in their countries of origin.
The training courses covered topics such as Community and Proximity Policing Models, Air Border Control (including a module on the Prevention of Human Trafficking) and Maritime Control, Road Control and Surveillance, Investigation and Expertise in Car Accidents, Nature Protection, and Policing and Public Order.
These training activities continue to contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Portugal and these partner countries in different areas.
MHA in the European Union
In 2025, MHA increased its presence in the EU (by around 2.3% compared to 2024), with PSP GNR continuing to ensure national presence in various civilian CSDP missions and contributing to a significant reinforcement of national elements in FRONTEX (from 169 in 2024 to 205 in 2025). It should also be noted that the projection of female personnel actually saw an overall increase of 27% (from 16 to 22, when compared to the same period last year).
Despite strengthening its presence in Africa, Europe remained the main destination for CSDP engagement at European Union level, with a presence in 25 countries and authorised deployments in new countries, notably Greece and Chad.
Compared to 2024, MHA strengthened its presence in the Commission (from 6 to 9 personnel) and maintained the same number of personnel in EUROPOL (37) and a similar number in the European External Action Service (from 11 to 10).
The secondment of MHA personnel to FRONTEX increased by 20% compared to the previous year. Although there was a slight decrease in the presence GNR military personnel (from 139 to 135), PSP strengthened its presence by increasing the number of personnel on secondment (from 30 to 70). MHA Security Forces deployed 12 female personnel (4 more than in the previous year). Within the scope of this European Agency, MHA was present in 18 countries (3 more than in 2024)
Compared to 2024, there has been an increase in the MHA presence in FRONTEX missions (from 118 to 142 in 2025) - alongside an increase in the number of national personnel serving in the agency's units (from 51 to 63 in 2025), which illustrates a greater and more significant national presence in an increasing number of FRONTEX operational missions.
2025 was marked by national participation in important missions and operations, with the deployment of military and police personnel in more than 20 FRONTEX missions, namely Joint Operation Greece (58 personnel) and Joint Operation Spain (35).
MHA in United Nations
At the United Nations, the MAI strengthened its presence (10 more members than in 2024), operating in 15 countries and 4 continents, and PSP assumed the role of guarantor by deploying 45 members, including 6 women.
In UN missions, the presence was predominantly concentrated in MINUSCA (increasing from 13 members in 2024 to 16 in 2025) and UNMISS (7 to 11), but it is worth highlighting the national participation in UNSMIL (Libya), where a member of PSP took up the position of Security Investigator-Chief of the Special Investigation Unit.
The national presence was also strengthened in United Nations agencies and departments, with a notable increase in UNODC (Colombia) and the start of duties by a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in OCHA (Panama).
What do we do?
SGMAI coordinates and monitors participation and promotes the strengthening of the presence of MHA personnel in a wide range of missions and in various theatres of operations and in the agencies, departments and institutions of the European Union and the United Nations, as well as collaboration with EUROPOL and FRONTEX. It also coordinates cooperation actions within the scope of PCTPPC.
It will continue to adopt measures to support, encourage and strengthen the international projection of MHA personnel, paying attention to potential secondments to a wide range of missions, agencies, departments and institutions of the European Union and the United Nations, contributing to the recognition of the work, competence and skills of its Security Forces, as well as the ANEPC and SGMAI.