Safety and Emergency Services

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world (7th in the Global Peace Index 2025). Although the Setúbal district ranks third nationally in absolute crime numbers, the city is generally safe for residents and visitors alike. Violent crime is declining, and the municipality actively promotes Setúbal as a “safe tourism destination.”

Emergency Numbers

Police

PSP — Polícia de Segurança Pública

The urban police force responsible for public order in the city area.

Comando Distrital de Setúbal (district command):

• Address: Avenida Luísa Todi, 350, 2904-502 Setúbal
• Phone: 265 522 022
• Email: cpsetubal@psp.pt

2ª Esquadra (2nd precinct):

• Address: Avenida da Bela Vista, 7, 2910-421 Setúbal
• Phone: 265 155 590

Criminal Investigation Unit:

• Address: Rua Oliveira Martins, 6A–6B, 2900-519 Setúbal
• Phone: 265 545 000

GNR — Guarda Nacional Republicana

The national gendarmerie, operating in suburban and rural areas including Serra da Arrábida.

• Comando Territorial de Setúbal: Avenida Jaime Cortesão, 2914-502 Setúbal
• Coverage: low-density areas, rural zones, Arrábida park

Polícia Marítima

Maritime police, under the Autoridade Marítima Nacional.

• Comando Local de Setúbal: Rua Regimento de Infantaria Onze, 2900-584 Setúbal
• Duty officer: 918 498 049
• Phone: 265 105 123

Capitania do Porto de Setúbal:

• Address: Praça da República, 2904-537 Setúbal
• Phone: 265 548 276
• Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–12:30 and 14:00–16:30

Fire Service

Bombeiros Voluntários de Setúbal

Volunteer firefighters founded in 1884. In 2025, the association celebrated its 141st anniversary.

• Headquarters in Setúbal (new building since 1983)
• Branch in Azeitão
• Recent upgrades: renovated dormitories, fleet updates, a 7-metre boat for rescue operations on the Sado River

Bombeiros Sapadores de Setúbal

The municipal fire service, dating back to 21 February 1786 (239 years in 2025). The municipality’s operational rescue unit.

Ambulance Service (INEM)

INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) provides pre-hospital emergency care. In January 2026, INEM and the Liga dos Bombeiros reinforced ambulance coverage on the Setúbal Peninsula (+ 6 ambulances).

Nationally, the government allocated €16.8 million for 275 new vehicles (163 ambulances, 34 VMER rapid-response vehicles, 78 others).

The specific locations of INEM stations in Setúbal have not been confirmed through open sources.

Hospital de São Bernardo — Emergency Care

The hospital’s emergency department operates 24/7 (more detail in Healthcare).

• Address: R. Camilo Castelo Branco, Apartado 140, 2910-446 Setúbal
• Phone: 265 549 000

Three departments: general emergency, paediatric emergency, obstetrics & gynaecology.

Beach Safety

Arrábida O2 Programme

Since 2025, the “Arrábida O2 — Arrábida Without Cars” programme operates from 7 June to 15 September. It ensures safe beach access via public transport. Private vehicles are restricted on the roads to Albarquel, Creiro and Portinho da Arrábida beaches.

Permitted: emergency vehicles, public transport, taxis, residents, two-wheeled vehicles.

Blue Flag

• Praia da Figueirinha — Blue Flag holder for multiple years (15th consecutive year as of 2024)
• Praia de Albarquel — first received the Blue Flag in 2025

Programme requirements: a minimum of 2 lifeguards per beach and compliance with 34 criteria for water quality, environment and safety.

Crime Levels

Statistics

The Setúbal district ranks 3rd in Portugal for absolute recorded crime (28,679), behind Lisbon (88,369) and Porto (55,730). However, this reflects the district’s size, not an especially dangerous city.

Positive trend: violent crime fell by 22.5% in 2021 (1,234 cases, −359 from the previous year).

Portugal overall: 7th in the Global Peace Index 2025 (one of the safest countries in the world).

Main Risks for Tourists

• Pickpocketing — the primary threat (up 12% in 2024 across Portugal’s tourist zones)
• Most crime is non-violent and property-related
• Advice: don’t display valuables, use bags with zippers, stay alert in crowded places

Civil Protection

Natural Risks

• Flooding — the Sado River is among those with the highest flood risk. In February 2026, several municipalities were affected by Storm Kristin
• Forest fires — a summer risk, especially in Serra da Arrábida. Surveillance system: watchtowers, inspection brigades, rapid-response vehicles
• Earthquakes — Setúbal lies in a zone of historic seismic activity. The municipality runs awareness campaigns and drills in schools

Safety Tips

1. Insurance — take out a policy covering medical care, theft and repatriation
2. Night walks — avoid poorly lit streets
3. Valuables — keep documents and money in a hotel safe; carry copies
4. Beaches — swim only at beaches with a flag and lifeguards; watch for currents
5. Heat — in summer, avoid direct sun from 12:00–16:00; stay hydrated
6. 112 — the single number for any emergency (free of charge)

See also

• Healthcare
• Transport
• Arrábida Natural Park
• Galapinhos Beach