"We will have many police officers on the ground, a sufficient and appropriate number to ensure the safety of people and to deal with any contingency that may occur," said Iúri Rodrigues, of the Public Security Police (PSP), at a press conference held by the Lisbon City Council, along with security forces, civil protection agents and rescue services.

Without revealing the number of PSP officers allocated to the 2025-2026 New Year's Eve celebration in Lisbon, Iúri Rodrigues said that the planned deployment "is very similar to what would be in a football match, in a football stadium," and is "on the same scale as last year."

Representing the Lisbon City Council, the Councillor for Security and Civil Protection, Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves (IL), detailed the plan for the New Year's Eve celebration in Terreiro do Paço, highlighting the advance coordination between the various entities – PSP, Municipal Police, Municipal Civil Protection and Fire Brigade Regiment – ​​"to ensure that this celebration takes place safely, organized and peacefully."

Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves stated that a protection and rescue operation is prepared and will be activated starting at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, December 31st. This operation will be coordinated from the City Hall, where the command, control, and coordination structure will operate, integrating security forces, rescue services, and essential municipal services.

The program for the “Viva 2026!” event, organized by the municipal company EGEAC – Lisboa Cultura, was “designed in a phased manner, allowing for effective flow management and ensuring a safe experience for everyone,” explained the Councillor for Security.

Traffic closures

Starting at 4 PM on Wednesday, there will be traffic closures in Terreiro do Paço and surrounding areas, such as Baixa Pombalina, Rossio, Cais do Sodré, and Campo das Cebolas, he informed. He added that at 5 PM, the Terreiro do Paço metro station will be closed, and at 6 PM, Terreiro do Paço will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles for security checks.

The venue will open to the public at 7:30 PM, and the event will begin at 9:30 PM with performances by DJ Mojo and MC Márcio Jesus. At 10:30 PM there will be a show by Plutônio, at 11:55 PM, a pyrotechnic musical show with drones, at midnight a fireworks display over the Tietê River, at 12:15 AM the I Love Reggaeton show, and at 1:00 AM the celebrations will end, as indicated by the mayor responsible for security.

“From 1:30 AM onwards, dismantling, urban cleaning, and the phased reopening to traffic will begin,” added Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves, highlighting the contribution of the urban hygiene service which, in coordination with the parish councils, “will ensure the rapid restoration of normalcy in the city, during and after the event.”

Emphasizing that the goal is to ensure that the New Year's Eve celebrations in Lisbon take place "safely, comfortably, and peacefully," the councilor appealed to the public to comply with the authorities' guidelines, use public transportation, and arrive at Terreiro do Paço early, "preferably by 9 pm."

From the PSP (Public Security Police), Iúri Rodrigues stated that the event will have "a very robust security presence," highlighting that there will be reinforcements throughout the city of Lisbon: "Although the main event is in Praça do Comércio, we will have festivities in practically all the parishes of this municipality."

Entry points

The PSP official explained that there will be six entry points to the venue, "where people will have to go through security checks," namely Rua do Arsenal, Rua do Ouro, Rua Augusta, Rua dos Fanqueiros, Rua da Alfândega, and Avenida Infante D. Henrique (the latter entry point is specially prepared for people with reduced mobility).

Iúri Rodrigues also stated that the entry of blunt or dangerous objects is prohibited, some of which are already prohibited anywhere, such as weapons and knives, and others that represent an increased risk at this event, such as glass bottles, including champagne bottles, and umbrellas.

In the case of lost persons, especially children, citizens should immediately contact a police officer and the 2nd Police Station of Baixa Pombalina, which will handle these situations.

From the Municipal Civil Protection Service, Márcio Teixeira highlighted the event coordination post at the City Hall, a few meters from Terreiro do Paço, to guarantee "an immediate and coordinated reaction" from the protection and rescue system, which is composed of three components: aquatic rescue and salvage, under the coordination of the National Maritime Authority; fire fighting, guaranteed by The Lisbon Fire Brigade Regiment, and pre-hospital emergency services, coordinated by INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency) and guaranteed by the Portuguese Red Cross and the city's volunteer fire brigades.

In terms of resources, two advanced medical posts are planned, with advanced life support capacity, three aquatic resources, 22 land resources, including 14 ambulances, and 16 foot patrols, totalling 130 personnel, said Márcio Teixeira, also highlighting the 50% increase in the permanent integrated pre-hospital emergency system.