Saturday, 28 March 2026

Education Minister Fernando Alexandre announced that schools damaged by Storm Kristin will be rebuilt to withstand winds of 200 kilometers per hour. The government is adopting construction models used in countries frequently exposed to cyclones to ensure structural resilience and prevent future closures. Parents and students should note that the plan involves redesigning projects in collaboration with local municipalities (municípios).

Update: Government sets June deadline for delayed housing support

The government aims to complete all financial support for private homes damaged by the storm by June 30, admitting that only 10% of 30,000 applications have been processed. Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion Manuel Castro de Almeida also announced that €500 million in projects from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência or PRR) will be reallocated due to the disaster. Those awaiting support should note that 750 technicians are being deployed to help municipalities speed up damage assessments.

The Transparency Entity (Entidade para a Transparência or EpT) clarified that Prime Minister Luís Montenegro is still required to fulfill formal reporting obligations despite publicly listing his former company's clients. The agency stated that public disclosure does not replace the legal requirement for officials to submit detailed declarations about their private interests. Residents should note that the EpT continues to monitor compliance with transparency laws for all public office holders.

Workers at the national broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) voted unanimously to strike in response to a management pay offer they labeled a salary cut. The action will include strikes during normal shifts, overtime, and holidays, though specific dates have not yet been announced. Viewers and listeners should note that unions also withdrew their confidence in the company's board of directors following the €7.50 pay rise proposal.

The National Association of Fuel Retailers (Associação Nacional de Revendedores de Combustíveis) expects a slight drop in diesel and petrol prices starting Monday. However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused Brent oil prices to fluctuate, making final costs at the pump difficult to predict. Some analysts are calling for a reduction in the 23% VAT (IVA) on fuel to provide relief to households facing high living costs. Drivers should check local station prices early next week for potential savings.

Update: Government approves €150 million monthly fuel support package

The government approved a 10-cent-per-liter subsidy for exposed sectors including taxis, agriculture, firefighters, and freight transport. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro rejected calls for a VAT reduction on fuel or food, stating the country must maintain its status of financial stability. Those in the transport and agricultural sectors should note the support is estimated to cost €150 million per month.

Hundreds of immigrants, primarily from Nepal, have filed complaints with the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) regarding forged criminal record certificates (Certificado de Registo Criminal). The Nepalese embassy estimates at least 2,000 victims were scammed by companies promising legal documents for residency applications. Visa holders should note that AIMA has already identified nearly 3,000 applications with fraudulent stamps, which could lead to expulsion.

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA) released guidance to help immigrants avoid technical errors on its digital portals. Users are advised to use short filenames without special characters, accents (acentos), or cedillas (cedilhas) to speed up the analysis of residency processes. Those awaiting residency should be aware that switching browsers or checking file sizes can also resolve submission failures.

Rector Paulo Pereira requested an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Education following reports that the Nova School of Business and Economics (Faculdade de Economia or Nova SBE) seeks formal separation from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. While the school denies wanting an institutional divorce, it continues to push for greater management autonomy and the use of English-language branding. Students and staff should note that the university leadership maintains there has been no interference in the school's internal affairs.

Education Minister Fernando Alexandre proposed a new legal framework (Regime Jurídico dos Graus e Diplomas) for university admission. Candidates would need to meet minimum levels in English, literacy, and numeracy to enter bachelor's or master's programs. Families with students should note that while the government aims to raise standards, student groups warn these requirements could exclude some applicants.

Chega leader André Ventura committed to starting a constitutional review (revisão constitucional) in parliament before the end of the year. The proposed changes include increasing penalties for serious crimes and removing references to socialism from the national constitution. Residents should note that any revision requires a two-thirds majority, necessitating a broad agreement between political parties.

The National Association of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Associação Nacional dos Doentes com Artrite Reumatoide or A.N.D.A.R.) reports that hospital stock shortages are forcing patients to travel long distances weekly to collect medication. Some patients reportedly travel over 100 kilometers to units like the Hospital Beatriz Ângelo because pharmacies cannot provide multi-month supplies. Those relying on specialized hospital medication should check stock levels with their local unit before traveling.

The government approved reforms to succession law to prevent properties from being stuck in undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas). Under the new rules, a single heir can initiate a sale after a two-year deadlock, and the deadline to accept an inheritance will drop from ten years to two. Property owners and heirs should note these changes aim to increase housing supply by resolving long-standing family disputes.

A court in Vila Nova de Foz Côa ordered pre-trial detention (prisão preventiva) for Cédric Prizzon, a former French police officer suspected of killing his current and former partners. The 42-year-old faces eight charges, including qualified homicide, kidnapping, and domestic violence against his 18-month-old daughter. Prizzon was arrested near Bragança after traveling over 1,000 kilometers from France. Residents should note the suspect is currently held at the Guarda Prison while the investigation continues.

Portugal achieved a budget surplus (excedente orçamental) of 0.7% of GDP in 2025, totaling over two billion euros. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento described the result as historic but warned of a more demanding economic environment in 2026. The surplus was driven by high employment and social security contributions, though critics point to significant cuts in planned public investment. Residents should note that while the national accounts are balanced, the government expects slower growth ahead.

Legal experts are debating the selection process for the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) as political parties remain deadlocked over new judge appointments. The current system requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, which has historically ensured a balance between the main political parties. Some argue this method now grants too much power to party interests, leading to calls for reform to protect judicial independence. Residents should note that these appointments are vital for ensuring the government's laws comply with the national constitution.