Latest news and stories about regulation in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
The government has launched a new 10 million euro incentive program for the acquisition of zero-emission vehicles. Applications for the scheme, which also provides support for installing charging points, opened this Thursday and will remain available until July 27 or until the allocated funds are exhausted.
A technical advisory group, the Technical Advisory Group (Grupo de Aconselhamento Técnico or GAT), has presented a final report to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, proposing structural reforms to the National Electrical System (Sistema Elétrico Nacional or SEN). While the report confirms the system remains robust, it emphasizes the need for better monitoring, increased international cooperation, and infrastructure investment to ensure future security following the major blackout of April 2025.
The Technical Advisory Group (Grupo de Aconselhamento Técnico or GAT) is an expert body that provides independent analysis on Portugal's energy infrastructure. It evaluates the security, efficiency, and future needs of the national electrical system to guide policy and investment decisions.
The National Electrical System (Sistema Elétrico Nacional or SEN) is the comprehensive network of infrastructure, producers, and distributors that supplies electricity across Portugal. It is regulated by the government to ensure energy security and is currently undergoing updates to integrate more renewable sources and improve grid robustness.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (Rede Europeia dos Operadores de Sistemas de Transporte de Gás or ENTSOG) reported that European Union gas reserves have fallen to 28%, the lowest level in three years. While the European Commission stated there is no immediate risk to supply, it warned of long-term consequences for energy security due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Miguel Ribeiro Henriques has been named the new coordinator of the mission structure for renewable energy projects (Estrutura de Missão para o Licenciamento de Projetos de Energias Renováveis 2030 or EMER 2030). He replaces Fábio Teixeira, whose appointment was rescinded following public criticism regarding his lack of experience in the energy sector. The agency is responsible for accelerating the licensing of green energy initiatives through 2030.
The Portuguese government has confirmed it will not extend the deadline for landowners to clear their plots, emphasizing that municipalities retain the responsibility for enforcement under Decree-Law 82/2021.
Algarve and Alentejo municipalities are implementing maps at beach entrances to clearly distinguish between free-use areas and concessions, ensuring compliance with the 30% limit on concession space.
Gonçalo Calado argues that current nature restoration proposals lack the necessary scale to be truly effective, as they are limited to small, fragmented projects.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced the creation of a natural and seismic disaster fund, which will be integrated into a new mandatory insurance system for residential and commercial properties following the impact of Storm Kristin.
The Volta system management entity has lowered its 2026 packaging collection target to 40%, sparking criticism from municipal associations over the regulatory change and a lack of transparency regarding compensation.
MUBi has formally rejected the Automobile Club of Portugal's proposed Highway Code reforms, labeling them a regression for sustainable urban mobility.
The Environmental Fund faces significant delays in processing condominium thermal insulation support applications, with less than half approved and nearly 200 still pending three months after the program's deadline.
The implementation of windfall profit taxes on energy companies remains a contentious policy, with experts questioning its effectiveness in mitigating the real-world impacts of the ongoing energy crisis.
The Constitutional Court faces internal conflict as recent rulings validate CESE charges for natural gas companies, directly contradicting a previous plenary decision that deemed the tax unconstitutional.
The energy transition is a critical issue that must be prioritized in economic, industrial, and climate policy discussions. It is essential for sustainable development and addressing climate change.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) has mandated that electricity and gas suppliers must allow affected customers to split their bills into manageable payments. This decision follows a consultation process and aims to alleviate financial pressure on those impacted by Storm Kristin. Suppliers are required to issue a credit note before sending a second bill to customers who opt for this payment plan.
Right of reply from the Minister of Agriculture to PÚBLICO’s 23–24 January coverage, addressed to the ICNF. The minister argues that regulatory or legal obstacles that block project approvals should be tackled by changing the law rather than abandoning projects, stressing that governing cannot be synonymous with mere execution. The reply frames the issue as one of policy and regulatory design — balancing property rights, environmental protection and development — and calls for clearer, reform-minded legal solutions to streamline approvals while respecting conservation responsibilities.
The Socialist Party (PS) has asked that Agriculture Minister José Manuel Fernandes be summoned to the Assembly of the Republic after a video surfaced in which he appears to urge environmental authorities to 'not comply with the law'. PS says the comments constitute 'illegitimate pressure' on environmental bodies, reflect a dangerous government denialist stance and raise concerns that legislative or regulatory changes might be pursued to legitimise contested projects.
The Socialist Party (PS) parliamentary group will table an amendment this Wednesday to allow the previous and new electric mobility regimes — the latter published in August — to operate in parallel. Socialist deputy Pedro (quoted) says the proposal lets 'whoever wants to remain with the previous model stay' and those who prefer the new framework move to it, effectively offering regulated choice rather than a forced transition. Analytically, the move aims to protect operators and consumers from disruptive change and preserve investment and service continuity, but it also risks prolonging regulatory complexity and creating uncertainty for long-term EV policy and market signalling.
Portugal is at risk of missing the deadline for incorporating the EU directive regarding the repair of goods into national law.
Civil Protection states that 80% of the perimeter is contained, but two small active fronts remain. Additionally, the Government extends the ban on mobile phone use in schools up to the 9th grade.
Portugal has 172 public fountains that serve as the only form of public water supply. New legislation on drinking water tightens regulations and imposes strict deadlines on entities.
The American technology group Meta confirmed on Friday that it has withdrawn from a commitment to use exclusively electricity generated from renewable energy, amid the expansion of data centre construction, a technology that is highly energy-intensive.
Until now, the connection of biomethane and hydrogen projects to the grid was paid for by the producers. ERSE proposes that consumers bear part of the costs.
The leader of the task force created to accelerate renewables admits to a series of delays in the process
Home News Petition against the “Volta” system reaches 15,000 signatures Petition against the “Volta” system reaches 15,000 signatures The public petition demanding the abolition of the “ Volta” system, the platform created to manage the return of deposit-bearing packaging, has surpassed the 15,00
The Portuguese government has established regulations for the operation and installation of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Three months after its launch, the Volta deposit and refund system for single-use beverage containers in Portugal has reached 100 million returns. The managing entity, SDR Portugal, rejects claims of 'chaos' in public cleaning, calling the impact on urban hygiene 'residual' and suggesting the problem is being exaggerated. This position clashes with Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, who has publicly demanded the system be scrapped. The company argues that the system is essential to meet EU recycling targets and avoid heavy fines, noting that Portugal has already paid 600 million euros in penalties over the last three years due to poor waste management and landfill saturation.
The APA confirms the growth of the Volta system in the first quarter, but states that data on packages placed on the market will only be available in 2027. Without this figure, the collection rate cannot be calculated.
Either the 27 member states ignored—all of them!—their obligations, or the directive was poorly drafted.
The Minister of Environment and Energy argued that the project increases energy security in Europe and Africa. Market consultation will allow for an assessment of how the private sector reacts to 'projects of this type'.
The European Commission's official responsible for Fisheries stated that “it is important that these initiatives are developed in cooperation and consultation with sector partners.”
The ban on destroying unsold textile and footwear products creates new market possibilities for Portuguese manufacturers.
Major fashion groups, including LVMH, Prada, Chanel, and Inditex, are prohibited from destroying unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear in the European Union starting July 19, according to the Financial Times. The measure requires brands to find alternatives for surplus items and products returned by customers.
