Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Minimum banking service accounts (Serviços Mínimos Bancários or SMB) reached a record 265,627 at the end of 2025, according to the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal). These accounts cost approximately €5.37 per year and provide essential services like a debit card, home banking, and MB Way. Residents looking to reduce banking fees should note that existing current accounts (contas de depósito à ordem) can often be converted to this lower-cost format.

The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has accused Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Carlos Abreu Amorim of “burning bridges” during negotiations to appoint new judges to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). The President of the Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça), João Mariano, described the politicization of these appointments as “extremely harmful” to the judiciary's independence. Residents should note this deadlock affects the body responsible for reviewing the legality of national laws.

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) has called the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, to testify following a violent incident at Saturday's March for Life (Marcha pela Vida) in Lisbon. A Molotov cocktail was thrown at demonstrators, though the device failed to ignite, leading organizers to call for the act to be treated as terrorism. Residents in the capital should note that political groups are warning of increased radicalization following the attack.

The Beja Court (Tribunal de Beja) has begun the trial of 22 defendants, including seven companies, accused of exploiting immigrants in the Alentejo region. Although the original 55 counts of human trafficking (tráfico de pessoas) were dropped before the trial, defendants still face charges related to illegal weapons and drug trafficking. Those following labor rights in the agricultural sector should note the case stems from a major 2022 investigation into seasonal worker conditions.

The total value of housing sales in Madeira fell to €968.8 million in 2025, a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. Data from the Regional Directorate of Statistics (Direção Regional de Estatística) shows a particularly sharp 30.9% decline in the sale of new homes. Property owners and potential buyers in the archipelago should note that while new builds saw a slump, the market for existing homes remained more resilient.