In addition to the exemption from prior approval for contracts up to ten million euros, the proposed new law for the Court of Auditors (TdC) will allow municipalities and public services to proceed with contracts exceeding ten million euros without prior approval, provided they have robust internal control systems, including regular audits. The bill, submitted to the Assembly of the Republic this Tuesday, stipulates that this waiver is only possible for entities with decision-making and control systems accredited by the Government, following an opinion from the Inspectorate-General of Finance (IGF). Despite the waiver, contracts over 950,000 euros must still be reported to the TdC for monitoring and potential subsequent auditing. The proposal also includes exemptions for contracts related to disaster recovery, such as those following fires or storms, provided a state of siege, emergency, or calamity has been declared.
Court of Auditors: Contracts over ten million may also proceed without prior approval, but with mandatory audits
Tuesday, 28 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.
