A coalition of over 80 organizations and 23,000 citizens has submitted a legislative initiative (iniciativa legislativa) to the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República). The proposal aims to close legal loopholes by criminalizing all forms of discriminatory practice and racism. Supporters argue that current laws are ineffective at ensuring equality and justice for marginalized groups.

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and CDS-PP have submitted new proposals to amend the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) following a rejection by the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). The revised text maintains the loss of nationality (perda de nacionalidade) as a penalty for certain crimes but reduces the number of applicable offenses and raises the required sentence length. Chega leader André Ventura stated his party will not support the measure, accusing the government of being too similar to the socialists.

Update: PS submits proposals to fix unconstitutional nationality law

The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has submitted three sets of amendments to address the court's concerns and introduce a transitional regime. The PS proposes that a prior criminal conviction should not automatically block the acquisition of nationality and maintains its opposition to the penalty of loss of nationality. Parliament is scheduled to debate the various proposals this Wednesday.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that a new regional emergency service (urgência regional) will open in the Setúbal Peninsula on April 15 to improve predictability in care. The announcement followed an incident where a woman gave birth in a hospital parking lot, which the minister cited as evidence that the current model is failing. Martins also admitted that legislative changes are being prepared to reduce waiting times for surgeries, particularly in cardiac specialties.

President António José Seguro expressed hope for a balanced agreement on labour legislation (legislação laboral) between the government and social partners. Speaking in Santarém, the President also advocated for the modernization of the Armed Forces (Forças Armadas) to meet international commitments, provided it does not compromise social welfare spending. Workers should note that the government has proposed extending the duration of certain employment contracts as part of the negotiations.

Update: Protests and political opposition mount against new labour package

Hundreds of protesters, led by the Interjovem wing of the CGTP union, marched in Lisbon to oppose the government's proposed labour changes. Former Minister of Labour Ana Mendes Godinho also called for the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) to be uncompromising against the package, which she described as an attack on workers.

Chega leader André Ventura committed to starting a constitutional review (revisão constitucional) in parliament before the end of the year. The proposed changes include increasing penalties for serious crimes and removing references to socialism from the national constitution. Residents should note that any revision requires a two-thirds majority, necessitating a broad agreement between political parties.

The government has withdrawn a proposal to increase mandatory annual leave (férias) from 22 to 25 days following negotiations with social partners. The revised labor law reform also maintains current rules that exclude automatic reinstatement for workers after unfair dismissals, a decision criticized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT). Employees should note that the standard holiday entitlement will remain at the current legal minimum for the foreseeable future.

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), Chega, and the CDS-PP have agreed to change rules regarding gender identity in the civil registry (registo civil). The new measures require medical validation for adults to change their legal name or gender and ban hormonal therapies for minors. The proposals now move to the committee stage for further discussion.

The Speaker of Parliament (Presidente da Assembleia da República), José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, has admitted a bill from the Chega party that proposes raising the maximum prison sentence from 25 to 40 years. While allowing the bill to proceed, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco noted potential constitutional problems that require strict scrutiny by parliamentary committees. Separately, a report concluded that Socialist deputy Eva Cruzeiro breached her duties by calling Chega members racists during a session, though no legal sanction is possible.

The Order of Psychologists (Ordem dos Psicólogos) has labeled recent changes to the gender identity law a scientific setback because they require medical validation for changing name and gender in the civil registry (registo civil). In response, the Bloco de Esquerda (BE) asked the United Nations to investigate potential human rights violations resulting from the legislation supported by the right-wing majority. Those following civil rights legislation should note that the BE argues the law restricts the fundamental right to self-determination.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic signals “constitutional problems” in Chega's bill to increase the maximum limit of the joint prison sentence from 25 to 40 years.

The Portuguese government is introducing a “return package” (pacote de retorno) to speed up the deportation of illegal immigrants, including extending detention periods to 180 days. The measures remove legal protections for those with less than five years of residency and eliminate the 20-day voluntary departure notice. Minister of the Presidency (Ministro da Presidência) António Leitão Amaro confirmed that funding is available to implement these changes immediately. Visa holders and those awaiting residency should note these stricter enforcement protocols.

The Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados or OA) has changed how court-appointed lawyers (advogados oficiosos) are selected for high-complexity trials. The General Council will now handle these appointments directly, replacing the previous system of random draws by regional councils. This change follows delays in the Operation Marquis (Operação Marquês) case involving former Prime Minister José Sócrates, where frequent lawyer changes have slowed judicial proceedings.

The government and social partners reported progress in negotiations over a new labour package, though a final agreement has not yet been reached. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) noted increased flexibility, while the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) protested after being excluded from the meeting. Employers are pushing for measures to increase productivity, while the government warns that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” Workers and business owners should monitor these negotiations for changes to overtime pay and contract rules.

The Minister of Labour meets again today with the UGT and the four business confederations regarding changes to labour law, following the appeal made by the President of the Republic after the 'rupture' announced by the employers.

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) proposed a law to suspend the statute of limitations (prazos de prescrição) when a defendant changes lawyers. The move aims to prevent “dilatory maneuvers” used to delay trials, citing the long-running case of former Prime Minister José Sócrates as an example. Those following the legal system should note the proposal targets the “carousel” of lawyer resignations that can lead to cases expiring.

Negotiations for the labour law (lei laboral) revision resume today between the government, employer confederations, and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT). Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that over 70 norms have been agreed upon, though key disagreements remain over the individual bank of hours (banco de horas) and rules regarding unlawful dismissal. Workers should note that the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) plans to attend despite not being officially invited.

The President of the Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas) has called for a rigorous debate over government plans to reform the institution. A major point of contention is the proposed end of prior approval (visto prévio) for certain public contracts, which critics say is essential for financial sustainability. Former officials warn that weakening the court's oversight could undermine the state's ability to analyze complex private-sector contracts. Residents should note that these changes aim to speed up public procurement but face significant institutional pushback.

The government is set to approve changes to tenancy laws (Lei do Arrendamento) this Thursday to expedite judicial decisions for non-payment of rent. The measures, led by Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz, aim to restore landlord confidence and bring thousands of vacant properties back to the market. Tenants should note that while the reform targets persistent non-payment, the government has stated it will include protections for vulnerable residents.

Update: New rules for undivided inheritances and evictions

The Council of Ministers (Conselho de Ministros) has approved three bills to resolve impasses in undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas) and speed up evictions for rent arrears. Minister of the Presidency (Ministro da Presidência) António Leitão Amaro explained that after two years of an inheritance being accepted, a single heir can now initiate a property sale to prevent one person from blocking the process. The government will consult Parliament next week, aiming to finalize the laws by the end of the month.

The last meeting ended without an agreement and with mutual accusations of intransigence.

Update: Government schedules fresh labour law talks for Monday

Minister of Labour Rosário Palma Ramalho has summoned the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and business leaders to a meeting on Monday, March 16. The government aims to exhaust all possibilities for an agreement rather than prolonging the discussion indefinitely.

President António José Seguro and Parliament President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco have urged the government and social partners to resume negotiations on the new labour law (legislação laboral). While employer confederations recently stated conditions for an agreement were lacking, the government and some unions have expressed openness to further talks. The proposed reforms, known as the Trabalho XXI draft bill, have faced significant hurdles over issues like outsourcing and the right to disconnect. Workers should note that Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) leader José Luís Carneiro has criticized the current proposals as a “choice for inhumanity.”

Update: Business groups and UGT agree to resume labour talks

President Seguro has successfully revived negotiations after business confederations previously declared them over. The Confederation of Tourism (Confederação do Turismo de Portugal or CTP) and the Confederation of Commerce and Services (Confederação do Comércio e Serviços de Portugal or CCP) confirmed their availability to return to the table. The General Union of Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) also clarified it never intended to leave the discussions.

Negotiations for a new labour reform package ended without an agreement between the government, the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), and employer confederations. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) stated that 12 points remain unresolved after seven months of debate, including last-minute demands that hindered a consensus. While the government blamed the UGT for being “intransigent,” the union argued the proposals were structurally inadequate and failed to meet necessary conditions. Workers should note that current labour laws remain in place as the future of the reform package is now uncertain.

Update: Opposition leader criticizes government's "lack of humility"

The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), José Luís Carneiro, accused the government of a “lack of democratic humility” following the collapse of labor negotiations. Carneiro argued that the failure to reach an agreement with social partners harms the country's competitiveness and urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to resume dialogue on more acceptable terms.

The PSD submitted a bill to reintroduce medical validation for legal gender and name changes in the civil registry (registo civil), reversing a procedure that had removed mandatory medical checks; however, MP Bruno Vitorino has already asked that the proposal be withdrawn amid internal party opposition. If the bill proceeds it would affect the legal process for trans people and those seeking name changes; watch parliamentary debates and civil-registry guidance for any procedural shifts.

Update: Debate set for March 19; minors would be excluded

Parliament has scheduled debate on the proposal for 19 March. The draft would end the current option for 16- to 18-year-olds to change name and gender with parental authorisation and would require medical and psychological reports, while allowing exceptions for intersex people; the bill follows an earlier, stricter proposal from Chega and has drawn criticism from experts and dissent within the PSD.

Allocation of pensions that combine contributions to Social Security and the Caixa Geral de Aposentações remains complex and currently averages about seven months. The president of the Social Security Information Institute told ECO that processing times should improve and that changes will take effect by June. The backlog and complexity affect retirees whose records span both regimes, and the institute is promising faster decisions in the coming months. Those awaiting joint pensions should keep documents ready and monitor communications from Social Security (Segurança Social) and their pension offices.

André Ventura, president of Chega, proposed creating a parliamentary commission on state reform to be chaired by former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho, and rejected that Passos poses a threat to his party. The proposal adds a new political angle to debates over public administration and social policy and could shape parliamentary discussion if it gains support. Politically engaged residents should watch for developments in parliament and any legislative moves that affect public services.

Former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho argued that opening the doors to immigration was “a big mistake” and called for a new model to manage arrivals and integration. Speaking at a Lisbon conference he also said a return to frontline politics was unlikely, while proposing changes to public administration including Social Security and a potential new ministry. The comments have stirred debate inside the PSD and among policymakers, and could shape future immigration and social‑policy discussions.

A recent INE survey on contextual costs lists judiciary delays, administrative hurdles and regulatory uncertainty among the top barriers to business activity. The results have prompted interest from ministry study offices but firms say reform is needed to reduce delays and improve competitiveness. Companies that trade or invest in Portugal should track proposed changes to administrative procedures and plan for continued compliance costs in the short term.

Testimonies collected from immigrants will form the basis of legal action against Portugal at the European Court of Human Rights (Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos), the lawyer coordinating the effort told Lusa and Público. The campaign, led publicly by Brazilian lawyer Amanda Abreu, accuses Portugal of failing to follow its own laws and blocking access to proper documentation; organisers say they will move forward with the case within weeks. This could prompt scrutiny of document access and administrative procedures for migrants; those awaiting residency papers or who work with migrant support groups should monitor developments and legal guidance.

The government has moved the deadline for residents in municipalities hit by Storm Kristin to apply for a replacement citizen card (cartão de cidadão) without paying fees, shortening the period from 31 March to 17 March after a decree published on 19 February. The change covers the 68 municipalities where an emergency measure ended on 15 February and sets the free-issue window at 30 days after the end of the state measure, which local officials say expires on 17 March. Affected residents should check the decree text and their municipal services for how to apply and what documents are needed. Those in the affected towns should act quickly to avoid fees after the new deadline.