Guarda Fiscal Explained

Agencyname:Fiscal Guard
Nativename:Portuguese: Guarda Fiscal
Abbreviation:GF
Motto:Portuguese: Pela Pátria e pela Lei
Mottotranslated:For the Motherland and for the Law
Formedyear:1885
Formedmonthday:September 17
Preceding1:Barrier guards
Dissolved:1993
Superseding:Fiscal Brigade of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR)
Employees:8500 military
100 civilian
Country:Portugal
National:yes
Governingbody:Ministry of Finance (Portugal)
Police:yes
Military:yes
Gendarmerie:yes
Speciality1:Customs
Speciality2:Tax
Speciality3:Border
Headquarters:Lisbon
Minister1name:Several
Minister1pfo:Minister of Finance
Chief1name:Several
Chief1position:Commander-General

The Guarda Fiscal (Fiscal Guard in English) was a Portuguese special military force, tasked with the border and maritime control of people and goods and the law enforcement, particularly in the fields of taxation and customs.

In time of peace, the Guarda Fiscal was under the authority of the Ministry of Finance. In case of war, the Guarda Fiscal would pass for the authority of the Portuguese Armed Forces, forming combat units that would be used primarily in the border defense.

The Guarda Fiscal was formed on September 17, 1885, based on the Barrier Guards detached from the former Royal Guard of the Police (ancestor of the present National Republican Guard) for the tax and customs service. In 1993, the Guarda Fiscal was dissolved as an independent corps, becoming the Fiscal Brigade of the National Republican Guard (GNR). In 2009, the Fiscal Brigade was divided into the current Fiscal Action and Coastal Control units of the GNR.

See also