Latest news and stories about regulation in europe in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Commission has formally denied accusations from United States President Donald Trump that the European Union violated a negotiated trade agreement. In response to Trump's announcement of a 25 percent tariff on EU-manufactured automobiles, the Commission warned that it has options available to protect its interests.
The European Commission has intervened in the Lisbon Metro expansion project, forcing the consortium led by Mota-Engil to replace a Chinese subcontractor with a Polish supplier. The decision follows an investigation which determined that the Chinese firm, CRRC, benefited from unfair foreign subsidies. This ruling affects the construction of the new Violet Line, which is designed to connect Lisbon to the municipalities of Odivelas and Loures.
The European Commission is the EU’s executive body based in Brussels that proposes legislation, enforces EU rules and manages day‑to‑day EU policies; it is led by a President, currently Ursula von der Leyen. Commission proposals on harmonising business rules or introducing preferences can directly affect trade, regulation and competitiveness for companies and residents across all member states, including Portugal.
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.
A provisional European Union regime that allowed digital platforms to voluntarily detect and report child sexual abuse content expired this Friday. The lapse follows a failure by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to reach an agreement on a permanent legislative framework, effectively ending the temporary bypass of electronic communication privacy rules.
Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on European vehicles, citing alleged trade agreement violations by the EU, a move analysts suggest will disproportionately impact the German automotive industry.
Portugal and other EU nations are set to implement rigorous new visa and documentation requirements for Brazilian nationals by 2026, marking a significant shift in European border control and immigration policy.
China's Ministry of Commerce has warned of potential retaliation against the European Union's proposed industrial accelerator law, citing concerns over discriminatory investment barriers for foreign firms.
The President has enacted a decree to transpose European regulations on digital services, establishing a single market framework that mandates service providers to address illegal content and increase transparency regarding recipients.
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 European Commission is reviewing a joint request from Portugal, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Austria to implement a windfall tax on energy company profits, acknowledging the proposal while distinguishing current market conditions from the 2022 energy crisis.
The Socialist Party is advocating for Lusa to adopt the RTP governance model, arguing it ensures independence and aligns with European regulatory standards.
The European Union is moving to regulate financial influencers on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to mitigate risks associated with digital financial advice.
The Portuguese government anticipates a 2025 budget surplus exceeding the initial 0.3% GDP target, providing a buffer against economic pressures while remaining within European budgetary limits.
CDS-PP and Chega have introduced bills to restrict the display of flags on public buildings, proposing that only national, European Union, and official institutional flags be permitted.
Ricardo Arroja argues that the European Commission’s attempt to balance openness and protection is already skewed towards protection. He warns this tilt risks undermining the EU’s openness, competitiveness and regulatory coherence, potentially fragmenting the single market and stifling innovation. Arroja calls for recalibrated policy that defends legitimate security and social concerns without sacrificing the Union’s commitment to openness and a level-playing field.
The Government has altered the governance model for European funds, removing the statutory right to appeal decisions by fund managing authorities. The change, approved by the Council of Ministers on 9 January but not yet published in the Diário da República, is presented as a simplification intended to make fund administration clearer and more effective. While the amendment may speed up decision-making and reduce administrative burdens, it eliminates a direct procedural remedy for beneficiaries and stakeholders — including SMEs, NGOs and expat nationals — and raises questions about accountability, transparency and conformity with national and EU administrative-law protections. Key issues to monitor are the final text published in the Official Gazette, any alternative oversight or review mechanisms that are put in place (internal review, ombudsman, monitoring committees or judicial review), and the potential for legal or political challenges that could arise if ordinary remedies are perceived as insufficient.
Europe can only realise its AI ambitions by ramping up investment not just in compute and networks but in trusted, advanced connectivity. Success depends equally on policy — harmonised rules, interoperable standards, cross‑border data governance and targeted financing — alongside technology, infrastructure, skills and public‑private partnerships to accelerate deployment and adoption.
The European Parliament is resisting Commission proposals to dilute passenger protections, insisting on retaining mandatory compensation for cancelled or delayed flights and a guaranteed baggage allowance. The dispute reflects a broader clash between consumer-rights advocates and regulatory reformers, with important consequences for airlines, passengers and upcoming EU travel rules.
With the Eurogroup set to choose the ECB vice-president on Monday, former Portuguese central bank governor Mário Centeno—one of two front-runners—says there remains a lack of alignment among major EU countries. Speaking to PÚBLICO, Centeno urges reaffirmation of the reasons for his candidacy and signals that political negotiations, policy priorities and regulatory direction will be decisive in the appointment. The comments frame the contest as both a balance-of-power and policy-choice moment for the ECB’s future leadership.
The EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) — which now obliges over a third of non‑EU nationals entering the Schengen area to submit extra personal and biometric data — has provoked a standoff between airports and Brussels. Airports warn of operational strain, higher costs and longer processing times amid limited staff and technical readiness; EU institutions argue the measure is necessary to improve border security, migration management and traveller rights. The dispute highlights tensions between security aims, data‑protection concerns and practical implementation challenges that could affect expats, short‑term visitors and airlines alike.
Galp and Moeve have entered detailed talks to combine their refining operations and filling-station networks, a complex transaction that is likely to be lengthy and closely scrutinised. The Portuguese Communist Party has already criticised the proposed deal and the government will have a role in the approval process, raising political as well as regulatory stakes. The transaction will test Brussels’ evolving approach to competition and regulation in the energy sector, with implications for pricing, investment and market structure in Portugal.
Donald Trump accused the EU on Friday of violating the trade agreement negotiated with Washington and announced that, as a consequence, he will increase tariffs on cars and trucks manufactured by the bloc to 25%.
Trump said he will raise tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from the EU to 25 percent because the bloc is not living up to its end of a trade agreement struck last summer.
On the same Friday, the White House announced heavier automotive tariffs and the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. Brussels rejects the accusations and reserves the right to implement countermeasures.
To remain competitive, Europe and Portugal must prioritise research and innovation. This imperative is highlighted in the Draghi report on the future of European competitiveness.
Trump threatens with 25%, when the agreement limited tariffs on European cars to 15%
The Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur enters into force provisionally today, following more than 25 years of negotiations. The agreement is contested by some countries and various farmers' associations in certain member states, but the European Commission highlights that it offers immediate and tangible benefits for EU companies, workers, and citizens.
Donald Trump threatened this week to withdraw US military personnel from some European countries. Nuno Miguel Lemos, an expert in international relations, highlights this move as the fulfillment of a promise made in 2024: 'he is returning to a 2024 promise (...) to bring soldiers home'.
Workers have every reason to be on the streets today, said the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, in a statement.
The trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union begins its provisional implementation today, with Portugal and Brazil expecting an increase in investment flows.
