Thursday, 6 August 2026

An audit of the 2023 accounts for the Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has uncovered breaches of public procurement rules during the tenure of former national director and current Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves. While the Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas) detected these financial irregularities, it decided not to impose sanctions. The situation has reportedly caused internal discomfort within the PJ, though officials maintain that the controversy does not impact the institution's operational work.

Update: Justice Minister orders new audit of Judiciary Police leadership

Minister of Justice has ordered a new audit of the PJ to be conducted by the Inspectorate-General of Justice Services, alongside an internal evaluation of Luís Neves' past leadership. Neves, who is currently facing scrutiny over his previous role, stated he is calm regarding the investigations and claims he personally requested the initial review of the financial case.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that Portugal is moving away from an open-door immigration policy in favor of a model focused on the integration of qualified workers. Montenegro emphasized that the government aims to ensure migrants have access to housing, healthcare, and employment, while criticizing policies that create pull factors for irregular migration. The government maintains that the country remains receptive to those who come to work, noting that unemployment is currently at record lows.

The Livre party in Portugal and the Sumar party in Spain have called for a review of Morocco's participation in hosting the 2030 World Cup following recent migration tensions in Ceuta. Meanwhile, reports from The Times alleging that FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised the tournament final to Morocco in exchange for re-election support have been denied by FIFA. Spanish Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sport Milagros Tolón has publicly defended Spain's candidacy to host the final, citing the country's infrastructure and security.

Starting August 10, retailers in Portugal are prohibited from selling single-use beverage containers that are not part of the national deposit return system known as Volta. Consumers will pay an additional 0.10 euro deposit per eligible plastic bottle or metal can, which can be reclaimed upon returning the packaging. Some restaurants have criticized the system, with some establishments opting to switch to glass bottles to avoid the new requirements.

One of three individuals arrested during the Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) operation 'Skydrop' was found dead in a prison cell this Wednesday. The operation, which intercepted a container ship off the coast of Sines, resulted in the seizure of five tonnes of cocaine, pushing total annual seizures beyond 2025 levels. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death, which reportedly occurred by hanging.

The Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal or IL) has formally requested an urgent parliamentary hearing regarding controversies involving Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves. The party seeks clarification on his past tenure as National Director of the PJ and his ties to the construction company Construbarcelos, specifically concerning the handling of seized assets. The IL argues these issues have created significant public concern and require immediate legislative oversight.

Over the past decade, the National Speed Control System (Sistema Nacional de Controlo de Velocidade or SINCRO) has detected more than 3.6 million speeding offences. Managed by the National Road Safety Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária or ANSR), the system saw a record high of over 671,000 fines in 2023, though numbers have declined since. Despite this downward trend, recent data indicates an increase in road accidents and fatalities compared to last year.

The Union of Health, Solidarity and Social Security Workers (Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da Saúde, Solidariedade e Segurança Social or STSSS) has accused Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of misleading the public regarding the Single Social Benefit (Prestação Social Única or PSU). The union claims that several benefits are facing significant cuts, which it deems unacceptable. The STSSS expressed astonishment at the decisions recently approved by the Council of Ministers.

The cost of a food basket monitored by the consumer protection organization Deco Proteste has increased to 253.60 euros. This latest rise, recorded between July 29 and August 5, adds 12 cents to the price of the 63-item set. Consumers have faced consistent price pressure on these essential goods since the beginning of the year.

The Portuguese Development Bank (Banco Português de Fomento or BPF) and the Mutual Guarantee Society (Sociedade de Garantia Mútua or SGM) have launched a new 1.5 billion euro financing line called 'Impulsar Portugal'. The initiative supports corporate treasury and investment with funding of up to 25 million euros per company. Applications are available through participating commercial banks and are divided into four pillars, including new business creation and technical guarantees.

The proposed Porto Metro line connecting Estádio do Dragão to the centre of Gondomar will require the removal of up to 533 trees and the demolition of 24 buildings. The project is currently under public consultation until 15 September, with officials evaluating two route alternatives. The study identifies that the underground option would result in a lower environmental impact compared to surface routes.

The five largest banks in Portugal recorded combined profits exceeding 2.5 billion euros in the first half of 2026. While this figure represents a decline of more than 3% compared to the same period in 2025, banks like Santander, BPI, and Novo Banco saw individual profit drops exceeding 13%.

Housing costs are expected to increase next year, with rents projected to rise by 2.5%. Homeowners with mortgage loans tied to six-month rates will also face higher monthly payments, with an average increase of 42 euros.