Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes appealed to undecided voters ahead of the 18 January vote, presenting himself as the candidate of experience and stability and saying undecided voters will determine the outcome. He told supporters he is confident of finishing first and urged voters to choose the most prepared candidate. Expats following the campaign should note shifting appeals to undecided voters may change polling dynamics ahead of the likely second-round contest.

Update: Marques Mendes has directly challenged the Health Minister, demanding public explanations about failings in emergency departments and the state of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Several outlets report he travelled with ministers and local figures (including Rui Moreira) while criticising health-service performance — a clear attempt to make healthcare a campaign focal point. Expats should note healthcare is being used as a campaign issue and to check local guidance if policy proposals affect access or services.

The Portuguese government has assured that there are few Portuguese in Iran and that it is monitoring the situation and assisting nationals where necessary. Two Portuguese nationals have asked for help to leave Iran because of the violence, according to some reports; a protest took place outside the Iranian embassy in Lisbon. For expats with family in Iran, check travel advice and contact consular services if needed.

Update: Latest outlet reports confirm two Portuguese nationals have formally asked for assistance to leave Iran and the government says it is following the situation closely; media coverage also highlights protests in Lisbon by members of the local Iranian‑Portuguese community. Expats with relatives in the region should monitor official travel advice and consider contacting Portuguese consular channels if they need direct help or information.

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil or ANEPC) has opened an inquiry into an ambulance 'task force' set up by the Portuguese Firefighters’ League (Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses or LBP), calling the operation illegal and 'marginally created'. ANEPC told Lusa it will investigate whether the reinforcement complied with rules for pre-hospital rescue operations. Expats relying on emergency services should note the inquiry could affect availability of volunteer-run ambulance support in some areas while regulators review the operation.

Update: Multiple outlets report the LBP rejects ANEPC's claim, saying the temporary task force was set up to bolster pre-hospital cover and lamenting a lack of dialogue; the League named four ambulances from Ajuda, Cabo Ruivo, Camarate and Cascais brigades as part of the reinforcement. Coverage shows a clear disagreement between the regulator (ANEPC) and the LBP about legality and procedure — the probe may lead to operational changes while authorities review compliance with pre-hospital rescue rules. Expats should be aware volunteer-led ambulance support may be disrupted in some areas during the inquiry.

National outlets report more than 218,000 voters registered to cast advance ballots today for the presidential election, with polling stations open from 08:00 to 19:00 for those who applied. President Marcelo was among those who voted and urged participation as the campaign enters its final week. Expats who are registered to vote should check their polling location and opening hours; if you applied for advance voting but cannot attend today, follow local guidance for options in the main polling day.

Update: Additional coverage highlights Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa personally voting at Cidade Universitária and calling early voting a “step forward for democracy,” while several candidates also cast early ballots. The campaign enters its final week and authorities remind advance voters to confirm times and locations; expats with voting rights should double-check their polling station and any ID requirements before attending.

António José Seguro has launched an appeal to moderate and centrist voters, presenting himself as a calm but courageous alternative in the final week of the campaign. He is asking moderates to move behind him and stressing measured, responsible leadership. Expats following the race should watch whether his appeal shifts centrist support ahead of the first-round vote.

The EU's Entry-Exit System will require more non-EU nationals entering Schengen to provide extra personal data at arrival and departure; outlets say more than a third of non-EU arrivals will be affected. The change may alter arrival procedures at airports and could lengthen border checks for some travellers. Non-EU expats and visitors should check ID and documentation requirements ahead of travel and expect possible longer processing at Portuguese airports.

An opinion piece warns that, in this presidential election, some Portuguese living abroad will be prevented from voting — suggesting the next president may not represent all Portuguese. The report signals concerns about overseas voting access rather than new official rules. Expats eligible to vote should double-check registration status and polling arrangements well ahead of election day.

Reports claim more than 700,000 homes are currently empty in Portugal, with many left off the market because owners feel insecure and others needing renovation. Coverage highlights both market and structural issues that keep properties unused. For expats looking to buy, rent or renovate, this signals opportunities in some areas but also warns of renovation costs and local regulatory or fiscal hurdles.

The European Commission president will sign the EU–Mercosur trade agreement on Saturday, 17 January, the EU confirmed. The deal is expected to lower trade barriers between the EU and South American Mercosur countries; coverage focuses on the formal signature rather than implementation details. For expats in Portugal, the immediate effect will be minimal day-to-day, but the agreement could influence prices, imports and export opportunities over time.

Multiple outlets report the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação) paid €25.9 million for overtime hours in December, with more than 30,000 teachers working extra hours to cover teacher shortages; one outlet also notes about 1,500 teachers deferred retirement this school year. The payments reflect ongoing staffing gaps that affect class coverage and school timetables; expat parents should expect occasional substitute teachers or timetable changes and keep in touch with school administrations. The story uses the Portuguese term for overtime, horas extraordinárias, which many schools and payslips will also use.

Update: Recent reports from national broadcasters and outlets corroborate the December payment figure and the scale of extra hours — confirming persistent staffing pressures in classrooms across regions. For expat families: continue to monitor communications from your child's school about cover arrangements and possible timetable adjustments.

Gouveia e Melo said he will accept parties' support in a possible second round of the presidential election but insisted he will not be bound by conditions set by those parties. The statement frames a likely post-first-round negotiation dynamic and signals limits on formal deals. For expats watching the campaign, party endorsements may influence the second-round field but candidates often stress their independence from formal party control.

During a tense election campaign swing through Ovar, São João da Madeira and Lamego, AD-backed candidate Marques Mendes publicly challenged Health Minister Ana Paula Martins to “show up and explain” mounting problems in the National Health Service, notably failings in emergency departments. Mendes, accompanied by two ministers and supported at events by Porto mayor Rui Moreira, pressed for direct public explanations as the health portfolio becomes a campaign battleground; the minister already has a public engagement scheduled. Elsewhere on the campaign trail, André Ventura “survived” an incident in Aveiro—famously described as a "chuva de cavacas"—and later thanked supporters in Viseu's so-called “Cavaquistão,” underscoring how confrontational moments and popular gestures are shaping voter perceptions. The episodes highlight healthcare policy and political accountability as central issues in the race and illustrate how personalised campaign incidents are influencing public debate.

On the ninth day of the official presidential campaign most candidates focused their activities in Portugal’s interior, campaigning across almost the entire mainland. The concentration in rural and regional areas indicates a deliberate strategy to court voters outside major urban centres, raise visibility in less-served communities and address local issues that could prove decisive in a fragmented race. Political observers interpret the interior push as an effort to broaden appeal beyond traditional strongholds and capture swing support.

Compete will open five funding calls in January for large companies, accounting for roughly one third of the programme’s corporate allocation under Portugal 2030, the agency’s president told ECO dos Fundos. The calls come with strengthened support rates aimed at accelerating project implementation and unlocking private investment. For large firms, the tranche presents a concentrated opportunity to secure EU-backed grants that could expedite capital expenditure, support job-creating projects and align corporate investment with Portugal 2030 priorities. The measure also signals an administrative push to deploy funds faster, with potential sectoral and regional impacts depending on application uptake and award conditions.