The government is pushing for a reform that would eliminate the mandatory prior visa (visto prévio) for most public contracts under 10 million euros. While the ruling parties support the move to reduce bureaucracy, the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and other opposition groups have expressed concerns regarding the potential for increased corruption and reduced transparency.
Parliament debates reform of Court of Auditors oversight
Wednesday, 20 May 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas) is Portugal’s independent public audit body that inspects and approves the accounts of state entities, public companies and other bodies that use public funds. Its rejection of an organisation’s accounts signals serious financial irregularities and can lead to recoveries, fines or political fallout, so taxpayers and public-sector contractors should pay attention.
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.
4 sources
- PS expected to approve Court of Auditors reform but wants to change prior approvalpublico.pt ·
- Court of Auditors rejects less than 1% of prior visas, says minister. Magistrates oppose new court ruleseco.sapo.pt ·
- PSD wants to exempt lawyers from fines for delaying tacticsobservador.pt ·
- Government claims that the Court of Auditors' 'prior visa' does not prevent corruption; Parliament disagreesdn.pt ·
