The Government has approved the creation of the State Simplification and Technology Network to oversee the technological reform, reporting to the Minister Assistant and for State Reform, Gonçalo Matias. According to Decree-Law no. 85/2026, the network aims to support and propose measures for the Public Administration, ensuring the development of digital public services and the unified management of state technological systems. The decree also dissolves the Council for Digital in Public Administration. The new network establishes a Coordination Commission for Digital Strategy, which includes bodies such as the Agency for State Technological Reform (ARTE) and the National Cybersecurity Centre. The network will operate across three levels—political leadership, executive commission, and technical groups—and will oversee strategic investments in AI, sovereign cloud, and data centres. Minister Gonçalo Saraiva Matias stated that the administrative reform does not aim to 'reduce the State'.
Government creates State Simplification and Technology Network for digital reform
Monday, 13 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The Public Administration (Administração Pública) is Portugal's central, regional and local government bodies and the public-sector workforce that deliver services like healthcare, education and municipal functions. A pay rise announced on 20 February 2026 raised the state's base public-sector salary to €934.99 with retroactive payments back to January 2026, so employees and those who contract with state bodies should expect updated payrolls and potential budget effects.
