MAI
Published 8 November 2026, 22:44
MAI — Ministério da Administração Interna (Ministry of Internal Affairs)
The ministry in charge of the PSP police, the GNR republican guard, civil protection, the fire services and road safety. It also runs elections and compiles the annual internal security report, RASI.
Where you come across it. When the subject is policing, wildfires and civil protection, roadside checks or elections.
Residence permits and citizenship are not its business: AIMA and the Ministry of Justice deal with those, even though it is MAI's police who ask foreigners for their documents on the street.
Official website: portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc25/area-de-governo/administracao-interna