Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Workers from Carris, Carristur, and cabin crew represented by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) have voted to join the general strike called by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) on June 3rd. Passenger transport companies across the country are also mobilizing for the stoppage, which protests the government's proposed labour reform package.

The 'Portugal, Balanço Social 2025' report from the Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE) indicates that the risk of poverty in Portugal fell to 15.4% in 2025. Despite this improvement, the study highlights persistent challenges, noting that 9% of employed individuals remain poor and that vulnerable groups, such as the unemployed and single-parent households, face significantly higher risks.

Portugal's revised Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) took effect on May 19, 2026, introducing stricter residency requirements for those seeking citizenship. Citizens from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa or CPLP) and the European Union now face a seven-year residency threshold, while other nationals must wait ten years.

A patient admitted to São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon with suspected hantavirus has tested negative, according to the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS). The individual, who had recently traveled from a cruise ship affected by an outbreak, was transferred to the Curry Cabral Hospital for specialized testing following standard health protocols.

A new European study reveals that Portuguese patients wait an average of 919 days to access innovative cancer treatments, ranking among the longest wait times in Europe. Meanwhile, the SNS reported record spending on medicines in 2025, reaching 4.4 billion euros, with hospital-based drug costs accounting for the largest share of the expenditure.

The Portuguese government is intervening to ensure the safety and repatriation of two Portuguese doctors detained by Israeli authorities after their vessel, part of the 'Sumud Global Flotilla' mission, was intercepted in international waters. Carlos Cortes, head of the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos or OM), confirmed that while he has been unable to contact the clinicians directly, the state is actively working to secure their release and dignity.

The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) reports that national reservoirs are in their best condition ever, with an average storage level of 92%. Agency president José Pimenta Machado noted that even historically dry reservoirs, such as the Bravura dam in the Algarve, are nearly full, suggesting a comfortable water supply for the upcoming summer season.

The Ordem dos Médicos has presented a set of 18 proposals to the Ministry of Health aimed at improving the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The plan focuses on resizing patient lists, reducing administrative bureaucracy, and implementing permanent recruitment to address the fact that 15% of the population currently lacks a family doctor.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) will deploy 360 new officers to Portuguese airports this July to help reduce waiting times for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area. PSP spokesperson Sérgio Soares stated that these officers are part of a larger group of 560 new recruits currently completing their border guard training.

Expenditure on medicines by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) reached 4.417 billion euros in 2025, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. Data from the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde or Infarmed) shows that spending has risen by over 60% since 2020. Additionally, state expenditure on sickness benefits (subsídio por doença) surpassed one billion euros for the first time last year.

The General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) has labeled the government's proposed labour reform package a significant setback for workers' rights. The union is submitting its own proposals to Parliament and has engaged in discussions with the Chega party, which holds a decisive vote on the legislation. Minister of Labour Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho stated that the President of the Republic's recent actions effectively empowered the union to avoid signing the government's agreement.