Saturday, 18 July 2026

The government is increasing the tax discount on the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos e Energéticos or ISP) to 7.4 cents per litre for diesel and 4.6 to 5.7 cents for petrol. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro announced the adjustment this Friday, citing expected market price increases. The government aims to prevent the state from profiting from inflation and rising fuel costs.

Update: Fuel prices set to rise despite tax discount adjustments

Despite the government's updated ISP discounts, fuel prices are expected to increase again next week. Diesel is projected to rise by approximately 6 to 7.5 cents per litre, while petrol prices will also see an upward adjustment.

An ammonia leak at a Docapesca ice factory in the Port of Leixões, Matosinhos, triggered a major emergency response late Friday night. Authorities evacuated a nearby festival with approximately 1,000 participants after the incident, which police suspect was caused by an explosion in a refrigeration unit. At least one person sustained minor injuries and required hospital treatment.

President of the Republic António José Seguro has promulgated the legislative authorization for the government to create the Single Social Benefit (Prestação Social Única or PSU). This new system aims to consolidate 13 different social benefits into one. The measure passed in parliament with support from the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and the CDS – People's Party (CDS – Partido Popular or CDS-PP), while the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal or IL) abstained.

The latest recruitment competition for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) resulted in the hiring of 273 new family doctors and 36 public health specialists. Although 62 percent of the 711 available vacancies remain unfilled, the Central Administration of the Health System (Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde or ACSS) expects these new hires to provide care for over 400,000 patients. This recruitment round represents an 18 percent increase in family doctor placements compared to last year.

The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has recovered a semi-trailer previously seized during a major anti-cocaine operation that had gone missing from an impound lot. The vehicle was located at the facilities of Construbarcelos, a construction firm owned by a personal friend of the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves. The PJ has launched an inquiry into how the trailer ended up at the contractor's site.

Data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE) shows that the median house price in Portugal reached 2,337 euros per square meter in the first quarter of 2026. This represents an increase of nearly 20 percent compared to the same period last year. Market analysts note that foreign investment continues to drive prices upward, particularly in the Lisbon region.

Parliament approved a new law to strengthen rights during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, but excluded the term 'obstetric violence' from the final text. The legislation now refers to these issues as 'inappropriate, disrespectful, and non-consensual practices'. The decision sparked debate among lawmakers regarding the terminology used to address mistreatment in maternity care.

The government clarified that the exceptional incentive scheme for doctors working overtime in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is cumulative with standard overtime pay. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro confirmed this during a Council of Ministers briefing on Friday. This measure is intended to support staffing levels in emergency departments.

Parliament has passed legislation designed to unlock thousands of inherited properties currently tied up in family disputes. The new law enables a single heir to force the sale of a property, a move intended to increase the housing supply and resolve long-standing legal impasses.

The Metropolitano de Lisboa has postponed the phased closure of platforms at the Praça de Espanha station by 21 days due to scheduling changes. The Santa Apolónia-bound platform will now close from August 10 to 30, while the Reboleira-bound platform closure is set for August 31 to September 20. Additionally, the reopening of the station's north atrium is delayed by three weeks until August 17.

Parliament is scheduled to hold a final vote this Friday on amendments to the Foreigners Act that would permanently end the possibility of regularising residency status while inside the country. The proposed changes include removing the mechanism for tacit approval and restricting regularisation pathways previously available through vocational training or having a minor child. This vote marks the final session before the parliamentary recess.