Government: Regulation news in Portugal

Minister of Finance Joaquim Miranda Sarmento assured that Portugal currently complies with European Union budgetary rules. He stated that the country is not at risk of an excessive deficit procedure, provided that Parliament maintains fiscal responsibility.

Update: Finance Minister admits possibility of small budget deficit

During a parliamentary hearing, Miranda Sarmento acknowledged that Portugal might record a small budget deficit this year. He also reaffirmed the government's priority to pay bonuses to pensioners if fiscal space allows, maintaining the policy implemented over the last two years.

The Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas or TdC) has identified illegalities regarding the appointment of at least 49 managers at the Oeiras City Council (Câmara de Oeiras). These officials have been serving in acting roles beyond the 90-day legal limit without the required public tender procedures. The TdC report suggests these findings could lead to future disciplinary action against those responsible for human resources management.

Former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek and his family were threatened at knifepoint during a home invasion in Porto on Friday night. Reports indicate that a group of five individuals, who allegedly spoke Spanish, stole approximately 150,000 euros worth of jewelry from the residence.

The government plans to increase the capacity of immigrant detention centers by installing temporary modular structures before the summer. Secretary of State for Immigration Rui Armindo Freitas stated that the Ministry of Internal Administration is working to meet the requirements of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The Public Prosecution Service (Ministério Público or MP) has proposed reforms to the Code of Criminal Procedure to streamline investigations, including granting prosecutors authority to select emails for evidence without initial judicial oversight. The director of the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (Departamento Central de Investigação e Ação Penal or DCIAP), Rui Cardoso, stated these changes aim to prevent years-long delays in complex cases.

The Banco de Portugal confirmed that its governor, Álvaro Santos Pereira, has sold shares he purchased while in office. The divestment followed contact with the European Central Bank (Banco Central Europeu or BCE), which prohibits such holdings for officials in his position. The governor had previously acquired shares in companies including Galp and Jerónimo Martins.

Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated that the government intends to reduce state interference in the private sector. The minister argued that the state should focus on providing infrastructure and cutting regulatory burdens to allow companies to innovate and grow.

The UGT national secretariat unanimously rejected the latest version of the labour legislation revision proposal presented by the Government. We are following all the reactions here.

Approximately 7,400 families and companies affected by recent severe weather have joined government-decreed bank moratoriums. Deputy Governor of the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal or BdP) Clara Raposo confirmed that the total credit amount covered by these measures reached 930 million euros by the end of March.

The government has introduced the National Data Center Plan (Plano Nacional de Centros de Dados or PNDC) to position Portugal as a European hub for digital infrastructure. The strategy aims to simplify complex regulations and address fragmented oversight to attract more investment. While the sector welcomes the guidelines, industry experts warn that the success of the initiative depends on effective execution.

The government approved new rules exempting public contracts under 10 million euros from prior approval by the Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas or TdC). Minister Gonçalo Saraiva Matias stated the reform aims to reduce bureaucracy, though the move faces opposition from Chega, which labeled the potential change an invitation to corruption. The government maintains that the adjustment is a responsible step to modernize public management.

Local authorities across 159 municipalities have initiated procedures to potentially cancel local accommodation (Alojamento Local) registrations. Officials have opened approximately 35,000 cases, requiring a formal hearing process for each affected property registration.

The Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Rosário Palma Ramalho, announced that negotiations regarding labour law reforms have reached a constructive level after eight months of discussions. The government is now waiting for the General Union of Workers (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and business confederations to consult their internal bodies before finalizing the proposal.

The Executive Directorate has increased the maximum waiting time for very high-priority scheduled surgeries from 15 to 30 days. Health authorities claim this adjustment allows for a greater number of patients to be treated, though the National Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) and the National Federation of Doctors (Federação Nacional dos Médicos or FNAM) have expressed opposition to the change. Critics argue the policy facilitates patient transfers to the private sector without strengthening the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced the 'Portugal Energy Resilience' (Portugal Resiliência Energética) support line, a €600 million initiative aimed at companies where energy costs exceed 20% of production expenses. Operationalised by the Portuguese Development Bank (Banco Português de Fomento), the scheme provides state-backed credit to help businesses manage cash flow and operational needs. The announcement coincided with the second anniversary of the current government's term.

A delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament is visiting Lisbon this week to evaluate Portugal's strategies for addressing the housing crisis. The group, which includes Portuguese MEP João Oliveira, will meet with government officials to discuss affordable housing programs and the impact of current property market trends. Those seeking housing should monitor potential policy recommendations that may arise from this European-level assessment of the local market.

The government announced it may adjust its response to rising prices if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to impact the cost of living. As an immediate measure, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to reduce the price of agricultural diesel (gasóleo agrícola) by 10 cents per liter whenever price hikes exceed that amount. Residents should monitor upcoming Council of Ministers (Conselho de Ministros) decisions for further measures targeting food and energy costs.

The Transparency Entity (Entidade para a Transparência) has begun legal proceedings to include the client list of the company Spinumviva in the official income declaration of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The move follows a court ruling rejecting the Prime Minister's attempt to keep the list private, though the entity noted that full disclosure still requires his cooperation. Taxpayers should note that this case centers on ensuring transparency regarding the private business interests of high-ranking public officials.

European budgetary rules protect countries that maintain a “budgetary situation close to balance,” meaning a deficit of less than 0.5%, from the opening of an excessive deficit procedure.

The government plans to install 12 additional average speed cameras (radares de velocidade média) by the end of the year to reduce accident rates. The National Road Safety Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária or ANSR) is currently identifying high-risk locations for the new equipment. Officials also announced plans to use artificial intelligence to improve traffic management and prevent collisions. Drivers should note that these cameras calculate speed over a distance rather than at a single point.

Negotiations between the government, the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), and employers' associations have ended without an agreement on a new labour package. Despite 52 meetings, parties remain divided on key issues, though some participants suggest there is still room for a deal. The reforms are intended to update employment laws and working conditions across the country. Workers should note that current labour regulations remain in place while discussions continue.

Update: UGT awaits final government proposal before April decision

The UGT is waiting for a final written proposal from the government before its leadership meets on April 9 to decide on the labour package. While the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) was excluded from the latest meeting, employers' associations have signaled support for long-term salary increases. Negotiators are aiming for a consensus on the Labour Code (Código do Trabalho) shortly after Easter.

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 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 Funchal City Council (Câmara Municipal do Funchal) has approved new regulations for short-term rentals (Alojamento Local or AL) to prioritize permanent housing for residents. New license applications remain suspended until July while the city implements these rules to manage the impact of the 3,600 existing units. Property owners and those seeking housing in the Madeiran capital should be aware of these tightening restrictions.

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.

President António José Seguro has promulgated his first government decrees, including the regulation of the Mobility and Transport Fund (Fundo para a Mobilidade e Transportes or FMT). While approving the measure, the President warned that the transfer of responsibilities to municipalities must be accompanied by adequate funding to ensure financial neutrality. Residents should note that this fund manages resources for public transport and mobility projects across the country.

The Health Regulatory Entity (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde or ERS) has identified significant regional imbalances in access to healthcare across Portugal. A new report found that 12 out of 39 Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde or ULS) suffer from a low ratio of doctors and nurses relative to the population. SNS patients in the interior, Alto Alentejo, and Nordeste regions are most likely to face service limitations due to these shortages.

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.

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 Casa para Viver platform delivered an open letter to the President of the Republic at the Belém Palace (Palácio de Belém) calling for the housing crisis to be treated as a national emergency. The movement is demanding rent regulation, mortgage relief, and a veto on legislation that would accelerate evictions. Residents should note that nationwide protests are scheduled for March 21 in 14 different cities.

The Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português or PCP) and the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE) are calling for government regulation and price fixing for fuel and food. Leaders Paulo Raimundo and José Manuel Pureza criticized the “obscene profits” of large companies during a protest in Lisbon, citing speculation linked to Middle East tensions. Consumers should note that these parties are also pushing for an extraordinary tax on large corporate profits.

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.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has promised to use regulatory power to prevent fuel price speculation as costs at some stations again exceed two euros per liter. Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that while the market is tense, Portugal has not yet reached an 'energy emergency' that would trigger more drastic measures. Drivers should note that the government plans to release 10% of strategic oil reserves to help stabilize the market, though taxi federations are already requesting extraordinary support.

Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro has pledged to strengthen the independence of the national news agency, Agência Lusa. Amaro stated the government wants to move away from past eras where the state exerted too much control over editorial content. Residents should note that the government aims to comply with the European Media Freedom Act to ensure a more robust and transparent media environment.

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.

The Entidade Reguladora da Saúde opened an administrative-offence process against the association that runs the Kastelo paediatric palliative and continuing-care unit in Matosinhos, ordering compliance with inspection instructions issued in 2020. The regulator's decision, from the last quarter of 2025 and reported now, requires the unit to follow previous corrective measures and could lead to fines or further sanctions. Families using specialised care should follow ERS announcements about Kastelo and any interim measures to safeguard services.

The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has proposed regulating health cards to stop firms marketing simple discount cards as 'health plans' or insurance, sources report. The proposals would bar advertising that presents cards granting discounts for consultations, medicine delivery, ambulance transport or phone clinical advice as full insurance, aiming to reduce consumer confusion. Consumers who hold or are offered such cards — called health cards (cartões de saúde) — should review contract terms and any coverage limits. Those comparing private options should check whether a product is an insurance policy or a discount card.

Update: PS seeks ban on misleading health-card adverts

Correio da Manhã, Observador and Público report the PS wants a legal prohibition on advertising that presents discount “health cards” (cartões de saúde) as full “planos de saúde” or "seguros de saúde*. The outlets list the common services involved — consultations, medicine delivery, ambulance transport and phone clinical advice — as the kinds of offers PS says must not be marketed as equivalent to insurance.

Update: PS repeats call for legal ban on adverts

Correio da Manhã, Observador and Público reiterate the PS position: the party is seeking a legal prohibition on adverts that market discount cartões de saúde as planos de saúde or seguros de saúde, listing consultations, medicine delivery, ambulance transport and phone clinical advice as typical services that should not be presented as full insurance.