Portugal’s Police Revise Officer Admission Rules to Boost Recruitment

Facing a sharp drop in applicants, Portugal’s police force overhauls its entry rules. Will stricter **height standards** and age caps revive interest in law enforcement careers?

, and Administrator

2025 November 14 . 9:08 AM

1 min read

In this image in the foreground, we can see many people standing, and a person on the left side... — In this image in the foreground, we can see many people standing, and a person on the left side wearing a cap, and at the back we can see the policeman.

Portugal’s Police Revise Officer Admission Rules to Boost Recruitment

Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) has revised its admission criteria for the officer training course. The changes aim to address declining applicant numbers and include adjustments to age limits and the reinstatement of a minimum height comparison of 1.60 meters for all candidates, regardless of gender. The PSP has removed the previous minimum height comparison, which was not specified in the provided information. This decision was published in the official gazette on Thursday. The maximum age for applicants has been lowered to 35, while the minimum age remains at 18. These changes come amidst a decrease in the number of young applicants, with only 3,392 competing for admission in this year's recruitment drive. Portuguese nationality continues to be a requirement for applicants. The PSP's revised admission criteria, including the reinstated minimum height comparison and adjusted age limits, aim to attract more candidates and ensure the quality of its officer training program. The changes reflect the PSP's commitment to maintaining high standards while addressing the challenges posed by declining applicant numbers.