UCCF
Published 8 November 2026, 22:47
UCCF — Unidade de Controlo Costeiro e de Fronteiras (Coastal and Border Control Unit)
A unit of the GNR gendarmerie that, after SEF was abolished on 29 October 2023, took over land and sea borders, and with them checks on foreigners across all the territory the GNR covers (about 94% of the country — everything outside the big cities). It works with the territorial commands: checks take place in the street, in shops, at production sites, at coach and railway stations, in hotels and restaurants, and on farms.
Where you come across it. A document check outside a big city; entering or leaving the country across the land border with Spain or through a seaport.
Airports are not its responsibility: border control there is carried out by the PSP police through its UNEF unit. Residence permits, renewals and family reunification are handled by AIMA; the GNR only checks documents, it does not issue them.
Official website: gnr.pt