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Benavente

Santarém, Portugal

Latest news and stories from Benavente.

Municipalities in Santarém

Abrantes(132)Alcanena(10)Almeirim(22)Alpiarça(8)Benavente(63)Cartaxo(28)Chamusca(9)Constância(26)Coruche(22)Entroncamento(20)Ferreira do Zêzere(24)Golegã(7)Mação(16)Ourém(244)Rio Maior(40)Salvaterra de Magos(22)Santarém(226)Sardoal(5)Tomar(112)Torres Novas(52)Vila Nova da Barquinha(19)
Abrantes(132)Alcanena(10)Almeirim(22)Alpiarça(8)Benavente(63)Cartaxo(28)Chamusca(9)Constância(26)Coruche(22)Entroncamento(20)Ferreira do Zêzere(24)Golegã(7)Mação(16)Ourém(244)Rio Maior(40)Salvaterra de Magos(22)Santarém(226)Sardoal(5)Tomar(112)Torres Novas(52)Vila Nova da Barquinha(19)







  • Abrantes(132)
  • Alcanena(10)
  • Almeirim(22)
  • Alpiarça(8)
  • Benavente(63)
  • Cartaxo(28)
  • Chamusca(9)
  • Constância(26)
  • Coruche(22)
  • Entroncamento(20)
  • Ferreira do Zêzere(24)
  • Golegã(7)
  • Mação(16)
  • Ourém(244)
  • Rio Maior(40)
  • Salvaterra de Magos(22)
  • Santarém(226)
  • Sardoal(5)
  • Tomar(112)
  • Torres Novas(52)
  • Vila Nova da Barquinha(19)
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Portugal
  • 1837: The future King Pedro V, 'the Hopeful', is born at the Necessidades Palace in Lisbon; a modernising and widely admired monarch, he reigned from 1853 until his early death in 1861.
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Elsewhere
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Featured stories

Doctors released following disability pension fraud investigation

📍 Benavente⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+3 more

A Lisbon judge has released three doctors, including a Benavente-based physician, following their detention in the 'Operation Relax' (Operação Relax) investigation. The suspects are accused of receiving illicit payments to facilitate disability pensions, though the court found no immediate grounds for continued detention. The investigation into the alleged Social Security (Segurança Social) fraud remains ongoing.

Parental leave (licença parental) in Portugal includes paid leave around childbirth that can be shared between parents plus a separate paternity quota, with eligibility usually tied to social‑security contributions or residency. Payments and administration go through Social Security (Segurança Social), so expat parents should check their contribution record, employment contract and register with Segurança Social to claim benefits and confirm exact leave length and pay rates.

3 sources →3 Jul
Doctors released following disability pension fraud investigation

Social Security suspends 182 fraudulent disability pensions

📍 Benavente⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#fraud+2 more

The Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social or ISS) has suspended disability pension payments to 182 beneficiaries following an audit and a criminal investigation in Benavente. Authorities suspect a fraudulent scheme involving medical professionals who allegedly validated false disability claims, potentially saving the state 18.5 million euros. The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has launched an operation into the case, which reportedly involves several doctors.

The Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social) is the public agency that runs Portugal’s social security system, administering pensions, unemployment benefits, family support and local social services. It also coordinates emergency social responses through local offices and mobile teams — for example, the institute mobilized over 200 technicians after recent storms and supported 1,537 displaced people as of 14 February; residents affected should contact their local Social Security office or municipal authority for assistance.

Polícia Judiciária

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.

3 sources →1 Jul
Social Security suspends 182 fraudulent disability pensions

Doctor investigated for alleged disability pension fraud

📍 Benavente⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+3 more

The Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) is investigating a doctor from Benavente suspected of charging 1,000 euros to facilitate fraudulent disability pensions. Beneficiaries of the scheme may face criminal charges and be required to return funds received improperly from the state.

IGAS is the Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS), the government body that inspects and audits public and private health services, investigates complaints and can recommend sanctions or changes. After reported failures in emergency care, IGAS can open inquiries, publish findings and advise the Ministry or the SNS on corrective measures; residents and patients can also file complaints that IGAS may investigate.

3 sources →11 Apr
Doctor investigated for alleged disability pension fraud

Nurse arrested for sexual assault at Loures hospital

📍 Benavente⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+2 more

A 42-year-old Belgian nurse was arrested by the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) on suspicion of sexually assaulting an anaesthetised patient at the Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures. The Nursing Association (Ordem dos Enfermeiros) has requested the suspect's identification from the Public Prosecutor's Office to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

What is the Judicial Police?

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.

The Ordem dos Enfermeiros (Order of Nurses) is Portugal’s statutory professional body that registers and regulates nurses, sets professional standards, and handles discipline and professional conduct. Its warning about hiring limits matters because the Ordem represents the nursing workforce—restrictions on recruitment can worsen staff shortages and affect patient care, so expat nurses must be registered with the Ordem to practise and may be directly affected by any new hiring rules.

4 sources →10 Apr
Nurse arrested for sexual assault at Loures hospital

Recent stories

Davidson Kempner, ECS and Magna join forces to invest in logistics on the Iberian Peninsula

📍 Santarém💶 Finance🏠 Property#investment+2 more

The American firm Davidson Kempner Capital Management has joined forces with the Portuguese investment manager ECS Capital and the construction company Magna Industrial to create a joint venture dedicated to investing in logistics assets on the Iberian Peninsula. The first investment is the acquisition and development of the Benavente Prime Hub. “Bringing together the capital base and global experience in...”

eco.sapo.pt10 Sept
Davidson Kempner, ECS and Magna join forces to invest in logistics on the Iberian Peninsula

Benavente forecasts 100 million from new business hub

📍 Santarém💼 Work🚇 Infrastructure#economic-activity+1 more

The project will occupy approximately 32 hectares in an area designated for the installation of economic units, considered “strategic” to leverage the impact of the future airport.

observador.pt7 Sept
Benavente forecasts 100 million from new business hub

Airport: Benavente to create business hub and targets 100 million in business

📍 Santarém🚇 Infrastructure💶 Finance#economic-activity+1 more

The Benavente City Council plans to develop a 32-hectare business hub linked to the future Luís de Camões Airport, estimating that the establishment of companies in the area could generate 100 million euros in turnover. This estimate is part of information sent by the municipality, located in the Santarém district, to the Lusa agency regarding...

eco.sapo.pt7 Sept
Airport: Benavente to create business hub and targets 100 million in business

Benavente doctor case 'had already been flagged'

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#crime-report+1 more

Luís Farrajota, president of the Social Security Institute of Informatics, states that measures had already been taken regarding the case of the doctor who was approving pensions in exchange for one thousand euros.

observador.pt28 Aug
Benavente doctor case 'had already been flagged'

Baby born inside a Benavente Volunteer Firefighters ambulance

📍 Santarém🩺 Health🏖️ Daily Life#emergency-services+1 more

A woman gave birth this Monday in an emergency medical vehicle on the way to Beatriz Ângelo Hospital.

cmjornal.pt11 Aug
Baby born inside a Benavente Volunteer Firefighters ambulance

Portugal municipality to bet on musical education

📍 Santarém🎓 Education🏖️ Daily Life#education-quality
The Portugal News9 Aug

Group that assaulted two men at the Benavente festivities must report weekly to authorities

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal#crime-report+1 more

All suspects are charged with two counts of qualified physical assault, with one of them also facing a charge of attempted qualified homicide.

cmjornal.pt8 Aug
Group that assaulted two men at the Benavente festivities must report weekly to authorities

Video captures assaults during the Benavente festivities: those arrested for attempted murder have all been released

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

The victims suffered various injuries and were treated at the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital

cnnportugal.iol.pt7 Aug
Video captures assaults during the Benavente festivities: those arrested for attempted murder have all been released

Video shows group of men violently assaulting two people at the Benavente festivities

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal#crime-report+1 more

The assaults that occurred during the Benavente festivities on June 27th resulted in the arrest of six men, aged between 18 and 36, suspected of attempted murder, qualified physical assault, and possession of a prohibited weapon. All have since been released.

cnnportugal.iol.pt7 Aug
Video shows group of men violently assaulting two people at the Benavente festivities

Group that assaulted two men at the Benavente festivities arrested by the GNR

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal#public-safety+1 more

The victims were surrounded and assaulted in the early hours of Saturday.

cmjornal.pt5 Aug
Group that assaulted two men at the Benavente festivities arrested by the GNR

Companhia das Lezírias warns of cork price drop threatening the sector

📍 Santarém💶 Finance🌱 Environment#sustainability+1 more

The chairman of the Board of Directors of Companhia das Lezírias warned of a drop in the price of cork, of about 30% in the last two years, which threatens the economic sustainability of the sector. Speaking to the Lusa agency, Eduardo Oliveira e Sousa stated that this year's cork extraction campaign took place...

eco.sapo.pt3 Aug
Companhia das Lezírias warns of cork price drop threatening the sector

Chega councillor in Benavente declares 33.7 million euros in cryptocurrencies

📍 Santarém₿ Crypto🏛️ Government#investment+2 more

Frederico Colaço Antunes is one of the first Portuguese bitcoin investors and former president of RealFevr, a company that has since closed.

cmjornal.pt17 Jul
Chega councillor in Benavente declares 33.7 million euros in cryptocurrencies

Chega councillor in Benavente declares 33.7 million euros in cryptocurrencies

📍 Santarém🏛️ Government₿ Crypto#chega+2 more

Frederico Colaço Antunes, also known as Fred Antunes, was one of the first to invest in Bitcoin in Portugal, a bet that gave him 'wealth for ten lifetimes,' as he admitted to ECO in 2021. Since then, his life has changed: the former CEO of RealFevr, which has since closed, is now a Chega councillor.

eco.sapo.pt16 Jul
Chega councillor in Benavente declares 33.7 million euros in cryptocurrencies

Companhia das Lezírias signs company agreement with UGT

📍 Santarém💼 Work💶 Finance#labour-law+1 more

Companhia das Lezírias signed a new company agreement with UGT this Monday, which updates the working conditions for approximately 90 employees and sets a minimum entry-level salary of 950 euros. In a statement sent to Lusa, the public company notes that the agreement, which will come into effect after publication in the Bulletin...

eco.sapo.pt13 Jul
Companhia das Lezírias signs company agreement with UGT

Five-year-old drowns in family pool in Benavente

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏖️ Daily Life#public-safety+1 more

A five-year-old girl has died after drowning in the swimming pool at her family home in Benavente, central Portugal, in a tragedy that comes amid a sharp increase in child/ The post Five-year-old drowns in family pool in Benavente appeared first on Portugal Resident.

portugalresident.com4 Jul
Five-year-old drowns in family pool in Benavente

Court suspends Benavente doctor suspected of facilitating pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

The Central Criminal Investigation Court today suspended the Benavente doctor arrested on Wednesday by the Judiciary Police (PJ) on suspicion of receiving illicit funds to facilitate disability pensions.

rtp.pt3 Jul
Court suspends Benavente doctor suspected of facilitating pensions

Court suspends Benavente doctor suspected of facilitating pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

The clinic doctor, who was released, is also prohibited from leaving Portugal and forbidden from contacting any parties involved in the case.

cnnportugal.iol.pt3 Jul
Court suspends Benavente doctor suspected of facilitating pensions

Court suspends Benavente doctor suspected of facilitating pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

The doctor and an assistant are prohibited from contacting each other. The other two doctors arrested were released as the court considers there is no evidence of criminal activity.

publico.pt3 Jul

5 PM. Government activates European Civil Protection Mechanism

📍 Santarém🏛️ Government🌱 Environment#government-policy+2 more

The Prime Minister justifies the decision due to the high risk of wildfires in the country and guarantees that national capacity is not exhausted. Additionally, the doctor from Benavente suspected of facilitating pensions has been suspended from her duties.

observador.pt3 Jul
5 PM. Government activates European Civil Protection Mechanism

Social Security suspends 182 disability pensions following fraud in Benavente

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#social-security+2 more

Four people were arrested and nine were named as formal suspects in Operation 'Relax', which is investigating qualified fraud against Social Security.

expresso.pt2 Jul
Social Security suspends 182 disability pensions following fraud in Benavente

The doctor of pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+2 more

Everyone – doctors and pseudo-pensioners – should be subject to criminal liability.

cmjornal.pt1 Jul
The doctor of pensions

7 PM Benavente doctor case: more than 180 pensions suspended

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#pension-suspension+1 more

Update on the situation involving a doctor from Benavente, resulting in the suspension of over 180 pension payments.

rtp.pt1 Jul
7 PM Benavente doctor case: more than 180 pensions suspended

Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud in Benavente

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#crime-report+1 more

The Social Security Institute (ISS) has suspended the immediate payment of disability pensions to 182 beneficiaries following an audit conducted as part of an investigation into alleged fraud in Benavente, the ISS revealed this Wednesday. In a response sent to Lusa regarding the arrest of doctors by the Judiciary Police (PJ) in connection with an alleged scheme...

eco.sapo.pt1 Jul
Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud in Benavente

Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#social-security+2 more

The Social Security Institute has suspended the payment of almost all disability retirement pensions following fraud carried out by a doctor from Benavente.

observador.pt1 Jul
Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions

Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud. Doctors arrested by the PJ

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal💶 Finance#crime-report+2 more

A doctor from Benavente charged around one thousand euros to facilitate disability pension applications

cmjornal.pt1 Jul
Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud. Doctors arrested by the PJ

Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud in Benavente

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🏛️ Government#crime-report+1 more

Four suspects were arrested, including three healthcare professionals

cnnportugal.iol.pt1 Jul
Social Security suspends payment of 182 pensions following alleged fraud in Benavente

Medical Association calls for more investigation and audits following alleged fraud in Benavente

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+2 more

The Medical Association acted as soon as it became aware of the situation, with the immediate opening of a disciplinary process, assured the president, Carlos Cortes.

cmjornal.pt1 Jul
Medical Association calls for more investigation and audits following alleged fraud in Benavente

Benavente doctor arrested for involvement in disability pension scheme

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

A doctor from Benavente who allegedly received illicit payments to facilitate disability pensions has been arrested, according to CNN Portugal. SIC Notícias reports that the Judicial Police (PJ) conducted searches this Wednesday in Santo Estevão, where the doctor had a practice, and that two other doctors were also arrested in connection with the case. CNN Portugal adds that an assistant was also detained. The case, exposed by SIC in April, involves an alleged scheme where the doctor would charge around one thousand euros to approve disability pension applications, having successfully enabled dozens of employees at a single public company, Carris, to retire on disability. Following the report, the Medical Association announced an inquiry, and the Health Regulatory Authority (IGAS) launched an inspection.

dn.pt1 Jul
Benavente doctor arrested for involvement in disability pension scheme

PJ conducts searches in the case of a Benavente doctor suspected of managing a scheme of fake disability pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+2 more

Emuna Mia may be suspected of document forgery and corruption. Inspectors from the National Anti-Corruption Unit are searching for documents and other evidence.

cmjornal.pt1 Jul
PJ conducts searches in the case of a Benavente doctor suspected of managing a scheme of fake disability pensions

Benavente doctor arrested on suspicion of receiving improper payments to facilitate pensions

📍 Santarém⚖️ Legal🩺 Health#crime-report+1 more

The Portuguese Medical Association had announced in April the opening of an inquiry into the doctor.

cnnportugal.iol.pt1 Jul
Benavente doctor arrested on suspicion of receiving improper payments to facilitate pensions