Latest news and stories about public policy in Portugal for expats and residents.
On the first day, the President of the Republic dedicated his time to the Castelo Branco district.
Groups led by the Movimento Democrático de Mulheres are staging demonstrations in 16 cities demanding equality, dignity, better wages and improved public services, while the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is holding exhibitions, talks and concerts from 9–14 March to mark International Women's Day. Expresso notes the EU pay-transparency directive, to be transposed by June, could force more employer reporting and help expose wage gaps. Those attending public events should check local routes and schedules for marches and parliamentary exhibitions.
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal's unicameral parliament, located in the Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon. It consists of 230 deputies elected by proportional representation for four-year terms.
The Assembly's powers include making and amending laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the government through debates, hearings, and committees. It can also pass votes of no confidence to bring down a government, as happened in March 2025.
Following the May 2025 elections, the current parliamentary composition is led by the Democratic Alliance (AD) with the largest share of seats, followed by Chega, PS, and smaller parties including the Liberal Initiative, Left Bloc, Livre, and PCP.
Público reports that the regime de maior acompanhado, which came into force seven years ago to protect vulnerable adults, has not fully materialised in daily practice, according to sociologist Alexandra Lopes. The law was hailed as a rights advance but implementation gaps remain in areas such as dependency management and access to support services, creating a gap between law and practice. Municipalities and social-service users should watch for local rollout details and resources; families of vulnerable adults may need to follow up with local services about available support.
Update: Seven years on, implementation gaps persist
Público's follow-up piece reiterates Alexandra Lopes's findings that local provision for dependency management and care services still lags behind the law's intentions, leaving families to chase support. Municipalities are the front line for rollout and those needing services should contact local social services to check available programmes.
The regime de maior acompanhado (accompanied adult regime) is a legal status that lets adults who need support keep legal capacity while getting a designated supporter to help with decisions. It is in the news because recent implementation steps and court procedures are raising questions about how to guarantee rights and protections for people covered by the regime (report published 17 February 2026).
The Saúde em Diálogo platform highlights the fragility of Portugal's National Health Service, advocating for a unified patient registry and integrated care models to improve patient outcomes.
The article discusses the growing concerns about sustainability in the workplace, emphasizing the need to balance organizational development, economic growth, environmental protection, and community well-being. It highlights the challenges posed by an aging workforce in Portugal, where recruitment difficulties and talent retention issues are becoming more pronounced. The article also addresses gender disparities in the workforce, particularly the prevalence of part-time work among women and the implications for productivity and career opportunities. It calls for a demographic analysis within organizations to adapt health support and public policies that promote sustainable practices, benefiting individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.
Ponta Delgada City Council has ceded land in the parish of Arrifes to the Azorean executive for the creation of transitional accommodation for homeless people.
An overview of the feedback, concerns, and future steps regarding the Essential Learnings curriculum framework.
The application process for candidates seeking a seat in parliament begins this Friday.
An overview of the operational structure, regulations, phases, and selection process for the Health Parliament Portugal initiative.
The third edition of the Health Parliament Portugal initiative has officially begun.
The proposal was approved with 39 votes in favour (PS, PSD, CDU, Livre and PAN), nine abstentions (Chega, Nós, Cidadãos!, BE, IL and PPM) and three against (CDS-PP).
According to Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, there are 800 million euros in fines related to 22 cases at risk of expiring, 16 of which have led to requests for preliminary rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Undoubtedly, the school system has ceased to instruct! And your 'experts', Mr. Minister, continue to make the decisions... Opinion by Maria do Carmo Vieira
This Tuesday afternoon, the Prime Minister will present the final version of the PTRR created in the aftermath of the storms in Portugal.
The stadium and sports complex are being auctioned for a total base value of approximately 38 million euros.
This is an opportunity for 'true decentralisation', stated the Mayor. The proposal comes after the Government declared that the previous location at Terreiro do Paço was unfeasible.
There is a comfortable and dangerously seductive idea in the climate debate in Portugal: that the central problem is a lack of money. It is not. The problem is more uncomfortable. Much closer to the daily life of public and private decisions. There is talk of millions of euros for adaptation, European funds, the RRP, and, more recently, ...
The department would be based on the simple principle of: 'While you are not doing it, let others do it.' A chronicle by Miguel Marcelino.
A mature democracy must know how to celebrate its memory without handing it over to a single political family. The 25th of April, it bears repeating, does not belong to the left.
The appointment of Adalberto Campos Fernandes was announced this Friday via a note on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic.
Carlos Moedas also stated that there is an ambition to “strengthen the representation of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area at a European level”.
The issues in question include menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, mental and neurological health, among others.
The Health Council of the Confederation of Portuguese Business (CIP) contested today the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) recommendations for Portugal regarding health and pharmaceutical expenditure, considering them out of touch with the Portuguese reality.
Público reports that nearly two-thirds of students sleep poorly and 13% report anxiety, according to a survey of 11,000 students by the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies. Expresso notes that at least five Guinean students are stranded at Lisbon airport in 'inhumane conditions'. Jornal de Notícias highlights that the lack of Euromillions winners has cost the state 52 million euros in tax revenue. Correio da Manhã reveals that Secretary of State for Health, Ana Povo, appointed the son of the president of the Santo António Local Health Unit to her cabinet. Diário de Notícias reports that restoring beaches destroyed by winter storms will cost 84 million euros and features an interview with actor Ruy de Carvalho. Negócios highlights that the impact of the Middle East conflict on mortgage interest rates is now greater than that of the war in Ukraine. Eco reports that failures in the National Health Service are driving up private healthcare spending for families.
Portugal needs an integrated policy to support traditional cultural industries, promote creative industries, and consolidate creative economy ecosystems.
The Mayor says the project did not qualify as a top priority for the execution of European funds. “We will continue to work on the project, unfortunately we cannot do it through the PRR.”
The Sea Hub project was part of the Novos Tempos coalition's election manifesto during the September 2021 municipal elections.
The path of privatisation is a path to disaster, said the PCP secretary-general.
The good news is that the work of João Cravinho is being studied and his thinking will serve those who continue to be restless and believe it is possible to fight for public causes that elevate us. Opinion piece by José Reis
The fact that the discussion process regarding the new performance component has not yet begun places the higher education system at severe reputational and operational risk.
The bill presented by the PS parliamentary group was approved unanimously.
It is noteworthy that Luís Neves has taken a firm stand, promising an uncompromising policy against a type of crime that, while going unnoticed, is the one that kills the most Portuguese people. Opinion by Abel Coentrão
