Latest news and stories about strike in infrastructure in Portugal for expats and residents.
Luxair has postponed flights to and from Lisbon and Porto originally scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, due to the nationwide general strike in Portugal. The airline confirmed that while these major hubs are affected, flights to Funchal and Faro are expected to proceed as planned. Passengers are advised to check their flight status as the industrial action impacts aviation and ground handling services across the country.
Transport workers across Portugal have announced a nationwide strike, expected to cause significant delays and cancellations for both rail and road services. Commuters and travelers are advised to check schedules in advance and seek alternative arrangements during the industrial action.
Comboios de Portugal (CP) has warned of significant train service disruptions from Tuesday through Thursday due to a general strike scheduled for June 3. The rail operator has published minimum service schedules for urban, regional, and long-distance trains, advising passengers to check their website for updates and potential ticket exchanges.
The Linha do Norte (North Line) is Portugal's main north–south rail corridor, linking Lisbon and Porto and carrying the country's busiest intercity and commuter trains. Disruptions on the North Line can affect long-distance schedules and regional services, so passengers should follow CP - Comboios de Portugal updates for alternative routes and timing.
Minimum services (serviços mínimos) are the legally required basic services that must be maintained during a strike to protect public safety—in healthcare this typically covers emergency care, critical ambulance coverage and intensive care. They matter because the INEM workers' committee admitted that late or unclear communication about which teams would be available during the end-of-2024 strike may have reduced operational capacity and confused patients; as an expat, expect limited non-urgent care during strikes and check official updates or call 112 for true emergencies.
Workers from Carris, Carristur, and cabin crew represented by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) have voted to join the general strike called by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) on June 3rd. Passenger transport companies across the country are also mobilizing for the stoppage, which protests the government's proposed labour reform package.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP – Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses) is Portugal’s largest trade-union confederation, grouping most unions in manufacturing, public services and many other sectors.
Founded clandestinely in 1970 as “Intersindical” under the dictatorship, it emerged publicly after the 1974 Carnation Revolution and was legalised in 1975. It has been central to virtually all major labour struggles since then, from defending collective bargaining and the 40‑hour week to leading general strikes against austerity and labour‑law rollbacks.
CGTP is historically close to the Portuguese Communist Party and has a class‑struggle, anti‑neoliberal profile, strongly critical of EU and government policies seen as undermining workers’ rights. It favours grassroots mobilisation and strikes over compromise, often refusing national social‑pact deals that the more centrist UGT is willing to sign.
In today’s Portugal, CGTP remains a key actor in wage bargaining, labour‑law debates and national protests; together with UGT it called the first joint general strike in years in December 2025, signalling its continuing capacity to organise mass action.
The SNPVAC (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil) is the national union representing cabin crew members in Portugal. It negotiates collective bargaining agreements and advocates for the working conditions and rights of flight personnel within the aviation industry.
The Railway Union for Itinerant Commercial Inspection (Sindicato Ferroviário da Revisão Comercial Itinerante or SFRCI) announced that all railway workers at Comboios de Portugal (Comboios de Portugal or CP) will join the general strike scheduled for June 3rd. The union is protesting against proposed labour reforms, with the strike covering all professional categories and shifts starting on June 2nd.
The Alentejo Line (Linha do Alentejo) is a regional rail route serving the Alentejo area in southern/central Portugal, operated by CP - Comboios de Portugal. Today CP reported services between Pegões and Bombel were suspended and then resumed in a 15:00 status update, so commuters should check CP for any remaining delays or cancellations.
A 24-hour strike by Lisbon Metro workers scheduled for this Tuesday has been cancelled. Unions confirmed that an agreement was reached with the company board, securing commitments for staff reinforcement and new rules for shift swaps between workers.
