Finance: Economic policy news in Portugal

From zero VAT to fuel tax exemptions, Carneiro's proposals to address the rising cost of living

Montenegro says he has a guarantee from Brussels that Portugal will not lose PRR funds

There are a number of companies, influencers, and people connected to digital fields living in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Have we done anything to bring them back?

Chega will propose zero VAT for essential goods this year

Energy: accelerating with the brake on

PTRR: "Either we cut elsewhere or we will have to finance with taxes"

From the economy to defence: what Seguro and Ventura think on seven issues for Belém

The addiction to funds

Governments seek to spend everything available as quickly as possible.

DN Grand Conference: "We have always been good when we did not improvise"

Jurist and former government official Guilherme d'Oliveira Martins used his speech at the 'Portugal in the Age of Uncertainty' panel, held at the Diário de Notícias Grand Conference, to counter the idea that Portugal should rely on improvisation. Speaking at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, he highlighted the importance of planning. The panel, moderated by DN director Filipe Alves, also featured former CDS-PP deputy Diogo Feio and former European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira. Discussions covered the need for long-term strategies to address low productivity, the importance of decentralisation, and the necessity of a 'reform of mentalities' over structural miracles. Diogo Feio addressed issues of political polarisation and the challenges of an ageing population, while also defending the need for better political representation and remuneration.

Portugal may receive an additional 1.6 billion euros following Luís Montenegro's request to Ursula von der Leyen

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has requested further European funding, potentially securing an extra 1.6 billion euros for Portugal from the European Commission.

Finance Minister disagrees with interest rate hike: ECB 'signal' was 'not absolutely necessary'

Joaquim Miranda Sarmento believes there was no need to raise interest rates. The Finance Minister argues that the current economic situation is different from that of 2022, but 'respects' the ECB's decision.

António Costa wants agreement on essential elements of the new EU budget by the end of the year

European Council President António Costa has convened EU leaders for a summit on June 18-19, focusing on the core elements of the new 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the complex geopolitical landscape, including Ukraine and the Middle East crisis. In his invitation letter, Costa emphasizes that discussions should aim for an agreement by the end of 2026, coinciding with the Cypriot presidency's negotiation proposal. Key points include new own resources to align political ambitions with financial means. The Commission has proposed a two-trillion-euro MFF, while the European Parliament advocates for a more ambitious budget. The summit will also address global macroeconomic imbalances, European competitiveness, and security concerns, specifically Russian aggression and the conflicts in the Middle East.

OECD proposals for a single social benefit range from cutting salary deductions to a 10% increase in social support

The report proposes four possible scenarios for creating a single social benefit in Portugal. Depending on the option chosen, the State could either save 18 million euros or spend an additional 42 million euros per year.

“Inconsistent” work incentives and low impact on poverty: OECD warnings on support the Government wants to concentrate into the PSU

Complicated, insufficiently targeted, with little impact on poverty and inconsistent work incentives. This is how the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) views the current Portuguese social benefits system, in a study commissioned by the António Costa government in preparation for the Single Social Benefit (PSU). The reins of...

The European Competitiveness Fund is coming. Is Portugal prepared?

Europe is reinventing itself. Pressured by geoeconomic competition from the United States and China, the urgency of the climate transition, and security imperatives arising from instability on its eastern border, the European Commission presented, in mid-2025, a proposal that represents the most profound transformation of the community budget in recent decades.

The liberal discourse of national suicide regarding European funds

The liberal narrative that Portugal should not be dependent on European funds is becoming increasingly frequent. This is presented as if using European funds were an addictive behaviour we need to break free from, ignoring that decades of liberal policies in Portugal have cut public investment funded by the State Budget, replacing it with European funds. The argument overlooks the fact that Portugal does not have the same level of development as Germany or France, nor does it acknowledge that these countries themselves seek greater access to such funds. Furthermore, it ignores that Portugal receives these funds by right, as compensation for the negative economic impacts of common policies, the single market, and the euro. This discourse reveals a complete detachment from national reality and suggests a surrender in the fight for increased European funding. By positioning themselves as if they were German or French, Portuguese 'liberals' act against the national interest. As the next financial framework is negotiated under difficult conditions, with major powers seeking more funds and stricter conditions, Portugal must instead focus on cohesion and convergence to address its economic, social, and technological asymmetries. Following the liberal path would be a form of national suicide.

Trump Accounts: an idea that Portugal should consider?

A discussion on whether the concept of 'Trump Accounts' is a policy that could be applicable or beneficial in the Portuguese context.

e-global.pt8 Jun

PS requests hearing with the Governor of the Bank of Portugal regarding his position on interest rates

The PS also requests a hearing with the former Governor of the Bank of Portugal and former Vice-President of the European Central Bank, Vítor Constâncio

Kristin: Suspension of European fund recovery extended

The Government has decided to extend for six months the suspension of European fund repayments for companies located in municipalities where a state of calamity was declared, following the series of storms at the beginning of the year. It also extended the suspension to repayable operations within the scope of energy efficiency. To benefit from this support, companies...

Carneiro imitates Costa and seeks help from 20 economists

The PS wants to gather 20 economists still in June to propose an alternative to the labour reform. In the first leadership meeting after the searches at the headquarters, socialists discuss the creation of an internal ethical guide.

After defence spending, energy subsidies will also be excluded from the deficit

The European Commission is preparing to exempt part of the expenditure related to rising energy costs from European Union (EU) budgetary rules, offering member states temporary relief from the impact caused by the conflict in the Middle East, reports the Financial Times (paid access) this Tuesday. According to information signalled by...

Mazzucato and the “excessive profits”

The economist Mariana Mazzucato has become — whether through her own academic merit, media talent, or simply because she says exactly what many governments want to hear — one of the intellectual references of the new European economic left. Her success is based primarily on a narrative that is extremely seductive to political power: the idea that...

Montenegro believes that Portugal should not depend on European funds

Prime Minister Montenegro argues that the country needs to reduce its reliance on EU financial support.

Croatian Boris Vujcic assumes vice-presidency of the ECB

The Council decided to appoint the former governor of the Croatian central bank to a non-renewable eight-year term, replacing Luis de Guindos. Mário Centeno was among the candidates.

Von der Leyen gears up for fight over China trade ties

The European Commission president has long wanted to protect key industries against Beijing. But not everyone is on board.

Brussels asks EU countries to use cohesion funds to respond to the energy crisis

The European Commission states that member states can reallocate funds from the European Regional Development Fund and other instruments.

EU-Mercosur agreement is here to stay!

In a global scenario marked by profound climate changes, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical challenges, the rapprochement between the EU and Brazil is of common interest.