PS proposes recovery programme and wants state of calamity extended for up to six months

Monday, 2 February 2026RSS
PS proposes recovery programme and wants state of calamity extended for up to six months

The PS secretary-general today proposed creating a national programme for recovery, stabilisation and climate resilience to respond to the impact of Storm Kristin, and asked for the state of calamity to be extended by between three and six months.

Context & Explainers

A state of calamity (situação de calamidade) is the highest level of civil emergency Portugal can declare under its Civil Protection framework, short of a constitutional state of emergency. It is typically declared by the government in response to severe natural disasters such as major wildfires, floods, or storms.

A calamity declaration activates the National Civil Protection Emergency Plan, mobilizes additional resources, and grants authorities expanded powers to restrict movement, requisition private property, and deploy military assets. It also unlocks emergency financial support for affected populations and municipalities.

Portugal uses a three-tier alert system: alerta (alert), contingência (contingency), and calamidade (calamity), each with escalating levels of coordination and authority. The state of calamity requires coordination between the national government, ANEPC, local authorities, and emergency services.

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