Saturday 26 September
Bond yields breach 4% as government launches 2027 budget talks amid nursing home tragedyFriday 25 September
Heatwave fuels wildfire emergency as Parliament rejects cost-of-living relief measuresThursday 24 September
Public health gaps and legislative shifts mark a tense week in LisbonWednesday 23 September
Economic optimism clashes with housing crisis and rising immigration figuresTuesday 22 September
Fuel costs surge as wildfire threats force school evacuations and emergency service reforms loomPortugal's borrowing costs hit a significant milestone today as officials begin long-term fiscal planning for 2027. Meanwhile, the nation mourns four deaths at an Estremoz nursing home while teachers and the Education Ministry prepare for a potential legal showdown.
Four elderly residents have died following a respiratory disease outbreak at a nursing home in Veiros, Estremoz. While 25 of the 28 residents showed symptoms consistent with Influenza A, the virus has been confirmed in only one of the deceased. The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an inquiry into the deaths, and health authorities have implemented isolation and sanitation protocols.
Portuguese 10-year government bond yields exceeded 4% this Friday for the first time since March 2017. The benchmark rate peaked at 4.0141% during the afternoon before closing at 3.971%. Investors are selling bonds due to worsening inflation outlooks, which increases the cost for the state to finance its debt.
The National Federation of Teachers (Federação Nacional de Professores or Fenprof) is considering legal action against Minister of Education Fernando Alexandre. The minister accused the union of attempting to sabotage the digital grading process for national exams, while the union labeled his comments insulting.
Fenprof is the National Federation of Teachers (Federação Nacional dos Professores), the main public‑school teachers' union in Portugal that represents teachers in pay, working conditions and education reforms. Its criticism matters because Fenprof can organize strikes and mobilise teachers, which directly affects school operations and the implementation of government changes — something families and expat educators should monitor.
Fernando Alexandre is the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation in Portugal's current government, which took office in April 2024. An economist by training, he previously served as a Secretary of State and is now responsible for managing the national school system and university funding. He recently sparked debate by suggesting that university tuition fees should be adjusted to account for inflation.
President of the Republic António José Seguro has reiterated his availability to mediate a long-term national health pact to stabilize the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Speaking at the Cascais International Health Forum, he criticized the current level of political noise and emphasized the need to retain medical professionals.
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
ULS Alto Ave is the Alto Ave Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave), a public body that runs hospitals and some primary-care services for the Ave area in northern Portugal. It is part of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), and recent staff strikes have affected overtime and complementary work, so residents should check local hospital notices before visiting.
The Lisbon Metropolitan Council has approved new public transport tickets aimed at visitors and event attendees. The new Navegante passes will cost 15 euros for one day or 37.50 euros for five days, though a start date for sales has not yet been announced.
Minister of Justice Rita Alarcão Júdice has expressed total confidence in the national director of the Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ), Carlos Cabreiro, following recent searches conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation into Cabreiro, which stems from the Football Leaks case, involves allegations of false declarations and abuse of power, though the Criminal Investigation Personnel Union of the PJ also maintains its support for the director.
Update: Minister Neves faces parliamentary inquiry with total tranquility
Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves stated this Friday that he faces the upcoming parliamentary inquiry commission, proposed by the Chega party regarding his tenure at the PJ, with total tranquility. Neves defended his record at the institution and argued that such scrutiny mechanisms are important for establishing the truth.
Carlos Cabreiro is the national director of the Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ), the agency responsible for investigating serious crimes in Portugal. He has held this leadership role since April 2024, succeeding Luís Neves.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
Rita Alarcão Júdice is the Minister of Justice (Ministra da Justiça) in Portugal, serving since April 2024 as part of the government led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. A lawyer by profession, she is responsible for overseeing the national judicial system, including the prison services that are currently under scrutiny for overcrowding.
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
The government is reducing the discount on the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos or ISP) as fuel prices are expected to drop next week. The support for diesel will decrease to 0.85 cents and for petrol to 0.07 cents, a move that has drawn criticism from transport sector representatives.
The ISP (Imposto sobre Produtos Petrolíferos e Energéticos) is Portugal's excise tax on petroleum and energy products, charged as a fixed amount per liter on petrol, diesel, and other fuels. It is one of the main components of fuel prices at the pump, alongside VAT and the carbon tax (Taxa de Carbono).
The government can adjust ISP rates — temporarily or permanently — to influence fuel prices. Rate cuts are a common policy tool to ease cost-of-living pressures on drivers and transport businesses, though they also reduce government revenue.
For consumers, the ISP is significant because even small changes in the per-liter rate translate into noticeable differences at the pump, particularly for diesel users and commercial transport operators.
The tax authority has warned that customs services on the Finance Portal (Portal das Finanças) will face technical constraints on September 29. Services may be unavailable between 10:00 and 16:00 due to scheduled system updates.
The Portal das Finanças is Portugal's official online tax platform, operated by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT — Tax and Customs Authority). It is where individuals and businesses file tax returns, check tax records, make payments, and manage their fiscal affairs.
Key functions include filing the annual IRS return (Modelo 3), accessing e-invoices (e-fatura), consulting property tax (IMI) records, requesting tax residency certificates, and paying outstanding tax debts. Access requires a NIF (tax identification number) and a password or digital key.
The portal is essential for anyone living or working in Portugal. Residents should be aware that scam messages impersonating the AT are common — always access the portal directly at portaldasfinancas.gov.pt rather than through links in emails or SMS.
President of the Republic António José Seguro expressed deep concern regarding the rising cost of living and fuel prices in Portugal. He suggested that the issue extends beyond national borders and urged the European Union to take action to protect the most vulnerable. Regarding the ongoing investigation into the PJ, the President reaffirmed his confidence in the institution.
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
The government will begin presenting the general outlines of the 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado) to parliamentary groups starting next Monday. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Carlos Abreu Amorim will lead meetings with the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and Chega, as these parties are essential for the budget's potential approval.
The State Budget (Orçamento do Estado or OE) is Portugal's annual law that sets public spending, taxes and economic policy; the government prepares a draft and the Assembly of the Republic votes on it so the rules usually take effect from January 1. OE 2026 modestly strengthens tax measures linked to teleworking, which can change how home-office costs, employer contributions or deductions are treated and therefore matters for expats who work remotely from Portugal because it can affect net pay and tax reporting.
Health cards are private membership or discount schemes sold by companies that offer access to consultations, tests or reduced fees at private clinics; they are not the public health service. The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has proposed regulation to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing or unexpected charges.
Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte announced on Friday that he will not grant exceptions to the ban on heavy goods vehicles using the Inner Beltway (Via de Cintura Interna or VCI) if they are not destined for Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia. Duarte stated that granting individual exemptions would undermine the measure and that he must prioritize the public interest over specific economic constraints.
Pedro Duarte is the Mayor of Porto, elected in the most recent local elections. He leads the city's municipal government and is responsible for implementing local policies, such as the recent initiative to provide free public transport for residents.
The VCI (Via de Cintura Interna) is a major inner-ring motorway that circles the city of Porto. Starting 15 September, heavy goods vehicles are prohibited from using this road during daytime hours on weekdays to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in the city center.
More than 400 heavy vehicles are participating in a slow-moving protest today, traveling between Paredes and Coimbra along the A42, A41, and A1 motorways. Organized by earthmoving and transport companies, the demonstration aims to demand concrete government action regarding the rising cost of fuel, which has left the sector particularly vulnerable.
