A 35-year-old woman died and a 47-year-old man was seriously injured following a two-car collision on the A2 motorway near Almodôvar on Friday. Emergency services, including the National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM), responded to the scene, and traffic was partially restricted while operations were underway.

The Graça Funicular in Lisbon is expected to reopen next Thursday after a seven-month closure. The operator, Carris, suspended the service for inspections following a separate accident involving the Glória elevator last September.

The Ministry of Internal Administration has admitted to IT constraints affecting border control operations at Lisbon airport. While officials acknowledge that some passenger data is not being collected, they maintain that these technical issues do not pose a security risk to the country.

The Portuguese government has officially invited the Lufthansa Group and Air France-KLM to submit binding proposals for the acquisition of a minority stake in the national carrier, TAP Air Portugal (TAP). Lufthansa has confirmed its strong interest, describing the airline as a strategic asset and promising a competitive offer. This invitation marks a significant step forward in the privatization process for the state-owned company.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) has issued over 10,500 speeding fines since the start of the year, averaging 95 infractions per day. Of these, 680 were classified as very serious offenses, while the majority were categorized as serious. The police continue to monitor traffic behavior across the country to improve road safety.

Dozens of citizens gathered in Setúbal for a public forum organized by the Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português or PCP) to demand more doctors and improved services within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Participants criticized the current state of digital infrastructure, noting that the SNS24 app often acts as a barrier to care rather than a solution. The PCP accused the government of neglecting public health facilities while failing to address the shortage of family doctors.

The National Civil Aviation Authority (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil or ANAC) has lifted operational restrictions at Horta airport in the Azores. The regional government confirmed that normal flight operations will resume starting Wednesday. This decision follows a series of meetings between the regional authorities, the airport operator, and the national aviation regulator.

The European Commission has intervened in the Lisbon Metro expansion project, forcing the consortium led by Mota-Engil to replace a Chinese subcontractor with a Polish supplier. The decision follows an investigation which determined that the Chinese firm, CRRC, benefited from unfair foreign subsidies. This ruling affects the construction of the new Violet Line, which is designed to connect Lisbon to the municipalities of Odivelas and Loures.

A December audit by the European Commission identified serious deficiencies in border control procedures at Lisbon and Porto airports. Brussels warned that these failures could negatively impact other European Union member states and compromise security. Separately, local authorities in Horta have expressed concern over operational restrictions imposed by the National Civil Aviation Authority (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil or ANAC) that are forcing flight diversions.

Portuguese airports faced significant operational instability on April 19, resulting in 233 flight delays and 6 cancellations. Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon was the most impacted, with 188 delays, while Porto also experienced substantial disruptions. Authorities attributed the logistical issues to a combination of air traffic control failures and weather conditions.

The National Association of Travel Agencies (Associação Nacional de Agências de Viagens or ANAV) has raised concerns regarding the implementation of a new border control system at Portuguese airports. The association warns that the transition could lead to severe congestion and longer queues for travelers. ANAV is calling for urgent coordination among authorities to mitigate potential disruptions.

The Porto Metrobus has officially ended its 51-day experimental period and transitioned to a paid commercial service. Passengers traveling between Casa da Música and Praça do Império must now validate their transport tickets for the 12-minute route. While the first phase is fully segregated on Avenida da Boavista, the service currently shares road space with private vehicles on Avenida Marechal Gomes da Costa.

Traffic on the 25 de Abril Bridge was restored in the south-north direction by 16:25 on Sunday following a three-vehicle collision. The accident, which involved an ambulance, resulted in five injuries and caused significant delays for commuters and the Sport Lisboa e Benfica football team. Civil Protection authorities confirmed that four people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Construction of the Porto Metro's new Rubi Line, designed to connect Casa da Música to Santo Ovídio, has faced significant delays. The completion deadline has been pushed back by over a year, with the project now expected to finish in July 2028. Previous forecasts had suggested the line would be operational by 2026 or 2027.

The Portuguese Firefighters League (Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses or LBP) has unanimously voted to terminate its cooperation agreement with the National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM). The decision follows a 20 million euro debt owed to the firefighters for pre-hospital services. The termination will take effect 120 days after formal notification, potentially impacting emergency response services.

Update: Government promises solution for INEM debt to firefighters

Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves promised this Saturday that the government will find a solution in the coming days to resolve the outstanding payments. INEM acknowledged the debt, citing a need for budgetary reinforcement, and assured that emergency services will not be interrupted during the transition.

The Spanish competition authority, the National Commission on Markets and Competition (Comissão Nacional de Mercados e Concorrência or CNMC), has opened inquiries into the April 2025 blackout that paralyzed the Iberian Peninsula. The investigation targets the national grid operator and major energy companies, including Repsol, Naturgy, Iberdrola, and Endesa. Officials identified evidence of non-compliance that may lead to formal sanctions.

The government has approved an additional €48 million to complete the Lisbon metro expansion connecting Rato to Cais do Sodré. This increase brings the total project cost to €380 million, which is 80% higher than the initial 2018 forecast. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro confirmed the funding during a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting.

The Viseu City Council has unanimously approved a measure to make public transport free for all residents. The initiative, which fulfills an election promise by João Azevedo, will cost approximately one million euros and aims to support local families while addressing environmental goals. The service is expected to become free in the coming weeks following final regulatory reviews.

A new regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency department has opened on the Setúbal Peninsula, operating across the Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada and the São Bernardo Hospital in Setúbal. The reorganization follows the permanent closure of the emergency service in Barreiro, a move that faced significant opposition from local mayors and patient organizations. The new department continues to rely on temporary doctors (médicos tarefeiros) to maintain service coverage.

The Minister of Internal Administration has announced the reactivation of the Traffic Brigade within the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR), nearly 20 years after its initial disbandment. The move is part of a broader government effort to address high road accident rates and will involve a new traffic model aimed at improving enforcement and road safety. While some associations welcome the return of the specialized unit, others have raised questions about its historical effectiveness.

The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, is expected to announce the reactivation of a dedicated traffic brigade within the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR). This measure is part of a new national strategy to reduce road accidents, which will also include an increase in speed cameras and updated traffic regulations by the end of the year.

The European Commission stated that initial constraints in the new European Entry/Exit System are normal, but emphasized that resolving these issues at airports is the responsibility of individual member states. The system, which came into force last Friday, caused significant delays at Portuguese airports over the weekend.

The Avenida Marginal and the Cascais railway line will close on Saturday night in Algés to allow for the installation of a new pedestrian bridge. Rail services between Cais do Sodré and Caxias will be suspended starting at 9:00 PM, with road traffic closures beginning at 10:00 PM.

A 24-hour strike by Lisbon Metro workers scheduled for this Tuesday has been cancelled. Unions confirmed that an agreement was reached with the company board, securing commitments for staff reinforcement and new rules for shift swaps between workers.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) has suspended the collection of biometric data at departures in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. The measure aims to prevent long waiting times and missed flights for passengers. The PSP stated that the suspension is automatic whenever queues exceed reference times and does not compromise border security.

The German pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit, has announced a new strike at Lufthansa for Monday and Tuesday. This follows a separate walkout by cabin crew that caused hundreds of flight cancellations. The union stated that the strike action is a response to a lack of serious proposals or dialogue from the airline's administration.

Biometric data collection for departures at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports was suspended on Saturday morning, April 11, to prevent passengers from missing flights due to long queues, according to the PSP. The process resumed in the early afternoon. PSP spokesperson Sérgio Soares confirmed that biometric collection is now operating at 100% for both departures and arrivals. The suspension was a contingency measure to manage high passenger volumes and avoid excessive wait times. The Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated EU system replacing passport stamps with digital biometric registration for non-EU citizens, has been fully operational since Friday, following a phased rollout that began in October 2025.

Update: Biometric collection suspended again at major airports

Biometric data collection for departures at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports was suspended again this Sunday, April 12, due to excessive waiting times. The PSP stated the measure aims to prevent passengers from missing flights while maintaining border security as high numbers of travelers exit the Schengen Area.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) suspended biometric data collection at departures in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports on Saturday morning to prevent passengers from missing flights due to excessive wait times. The system, part of the new European Entry/Exit System, resumed operations by the early afternoon. Officials confirmed that biometric collection remains active for all arrivals.

Update: Airport biometric data collection resumes after temporary suspension

PSP spokesperson Sérgio Soares confirmed that biometric data collection is now operating at full capacity for both departures and arrivals. The suspension was a contingency measure implemented after the new border control system caused significant queues, leading some passengers to miss their flights.

Parliament has approved amendments to the new social mobility subsidy model for air travel between the mainland and the Azores and Madeira. The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) voted against the measures and remained isolated, while the PS and Chega joined forces to pass the changes in a final global vote.

The airport association ACI Europe has warned that European airports face a systemic risk of jet fuel shortages within three weeks if traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not stabilized. A prolonged supply interruption could significantly impact airport operations, connectivity, and the broader European economy.

A new European border control system for non-EU citizens has officially come into force across the European Union. The system, which utilizes biometric data, follows a phased implementation period that previously caused processing constraints at Lisbon airport.

Workers at the Lisbon Metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa) will hold 24-hour strikes this Thursday, April 9, and next Tuesday, April 14. The Arbitration Court ruled that no minimum services are required for these dates, as the strikes are not on consecutive days and do not coincide with other transport walkouts. While full service will be disrupted, safety and maintenance staff are expected to remain on duty.

The government will extend the current ground handling licenses held by Menzies at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. This decision follows an injunction filed by a competing company, with officials aiming to prevent potential operational issues during the busy summer season.

The operator of the maritime route between Madeira and Porto Santo has cancelled the Lobo Marinho ship's trips scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday between the two islands.

President of the Republic António José Seguro has begun his first Open Presidency, a five-day tour to inspect storm-affected regions in central Portugal. During his visits, he criticized the government for delays in distributing financial support to residents and businesses, urging Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to accelerate the process.

A 57-year-old man died on Monday afternoon after being struck by a train near Moledo in the municipality of Caminha. Rail traffic on the Minho line was suspended for approximately two hours between Caminha and Carreço while emergency services, including the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (Viatura Médica de Emergência e Reanimação or VMER), responded to the scene. An investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.

TAP Air Portugal has resumed direct flights to Caracas, Venezuela, following a six-month suspension due to a United States-issued security alert. The resumption marks the airline's 50th anniversary of operating the route, which officials describe as vital for the Portuguese diaspora. TAP plans to increase service in July with a new weekly direct flight to Funchal.

A head-on collision involving three vehicles on the IC1 road in Santiago do Cacém resulted in four deaths on Friday. The victims, all members of a German family, included two parents and their two minor children. A 69-year-old individual was also seriously injured and transported by helicopter to a hospital in Lisbon.