Thousands of migrants head back to Portugal for their holiday in August
Every summer, thousands of Portuguese emigrants travel back to their homeland for vacations or family visits, making the border at Vilar Formoso the busiest during August. Over a thousand cars pass through this key entry point in less than two hours, leading to heavy traffic congestion and long border delays.
To ensure road safety and manage the influx, the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) collaborates with lusodescendant associations—groups representing Portuguese descendants living abroad. These groups, including one at the Vilar Formoso border, focus on promoting road safety and providing support and information to returning emigrants. They also work to enhance traffic control measures, aiming to reduce accidents and improve the overall experience for travellers.
Although recent immigration law reforms in Portugal mainly concern family reunification and residence permits, there is no direct mention of new measures by the GNR or lusodescendant groups in 2025 beyond existing road safety cooperation at major border crossings. However, given the recurring traffic challenges in August and the high volume of returnees, these coordinated efforts remain essential in maintaining border safety and public order.
As the summer holidays continue, the high volume of cars passing through the Vilar Formoso border is expected to persist. With the help of the GNR and lusodescendant associations, returning Portuguese emigrants can look forward to safer and more efficient border crossings. An association of lusodescendants is present at the Vilar Formoso border, raising awareness about road safety and working towards a smoother journey for all travellers.
- The collaboration between the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) and lusodescendant associations at major border crossings, such as Vilar Formoso, focuses on ensuring a safer lifestyle for travelers by promoting road safety and providing support during the heavy traffic congestion that occurs during summer vacations.
- Returning Portuguese emigrants can anticipate a seamless travel experience due to the efforts of the GNR and lusodescendant associations, which work towards enhancing traffic control measures and improving overall border-crossing conditions, especially during the busy summer months.
