Latest news and stories about regulation in Portugal for expats and residents.
Online shoppers across Portugal will face a new two-euro fee on all orders arriving from outside the European Union starting Sunday. The charge applies to each product category regardless of purchase value, targeting high-volume e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. The levy comes on top of the three-euro customs duty introduced in July for non-EU shipments valued under 150 euros.
Average electricity prices paid by households in Portugal's liberalised energy market have stayed above regulated tariffs since mid-2023, according to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE). The price gap between the two markets widened to its highest point in the third quarter of 2024 before narrowing throughout 2025. ERSE monitors consumer tariffs across both systems as households retain the legal right to switch back to regulated supply contracts.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE) is Portugal’s regulator for electricity, gas and fuel markets, responsible for licensing, tariffs and consumer protection. ERSE handles consumer complaints (it received about 80 complaints in the recent Galp case), can investigate billing disputes and impose sanctions, so it’s the authority to contact for unresolved energy issues.
Porto has removed 300 shared electric scooters (trotinetes elétricas) from public streets since September as the municipality moves to replace part of the fleet with shared bicycles under an agreement with operators. The strategy differs from Lisbon, where city authorities approved a total suspension of shared e-scooters by the end of 2026. Scooter operator Bolt called for renewed negotiations with Lisbon officials, noting that local residents accounted for 78 percent of its trips in 2025.
A revised tariff framework for passenger taxi services took effect on Friday, lowering initial flag drop rates (bandeirada) and introducing dynamic pricing based on trip duration and distance. Under rules published in the government gazette (Diário da República), fare increases are legally capped at a maximum of 9% during the first year of implementation. Taxi operators have been granted a transition window until mid-January 2027 to recalibrate their physical meters to the new price structure.
The Official Journal (Diário da República) is Portugal's government gazette where laws, decrees and public contracts are formally published and take legal effect. Public‑private partnership approvals and other official notices — like the launch of the Central Algarve Hospital PPP — are published there so residents and businesses can find the authoritative text.
Applications to protect new inventions in Portugal rose by 36.8% during the first nine months of 2026, according to the National Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial or INPI). Inventors submitted 1,093 applications between January and September, compared to 799 during the same period in 2025. The agency, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, reported that the growth follows a record total of 1,170 national filings recorded in 2025.
Parliament approved two bills introduced by the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), CDS-PP, and Chega requiring non-resident foreigners to pay for healthcare in Portugal. The measures target non-EU citizens who do not reside in the country, seeking to curb health tourism by mandating full reimbursement for medical treatments. Complementary resolutions backed by the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) also supported charging non-residents for non-urgent care.
Chega ("Enough") is a Portuguese far-right populist party founded in 2019 by André Ventura. It positions itself as an anti-establishment movement against what it calls a "rotten and corrupt system" of PS-PSD dominance. The party surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest force with 60 seats. Chega's core platform emphasizes strict immigration control—ending automatic CPLP residency, deporting non-independent immigrants, implementing job-market quotas, and requiring five-year social security contributions before benefit access. It advocates radical constitutional reform, including reducing parliament to 100 members, abolishing the prime minister position for a presidential system, and dismantling public healthcare. Law-and-order policies include life imprisonment and chemical castration proposals.
The party is defined by inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric, with Ventura convicted multiple times for discrimination. Chega maintains international alignments with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen, Santiago Abascal, and Matteo Salvini. Mainstream Portuguese parties, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's government, have imposed a cordon sanitaire, refusing coalition with Chega despite its parliamentary strength.
The Social Democratic Party ('Partido Social Democrata' or 'PSD') is a liberal-conservative political party in Portugal that is the leading partner of the The Democratic Alliance (AD) which is the country's ruling party, with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The Social Democratic Party, despite its name, occupies the centre-right of Portugal's political spectrum. Luís Montenegro, who became Prime Minister in April 2024, leads Portugal's current minority government. The PSD has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. Montenegro, a former party leader from 1996-1999, was elected with the highest approval rating among party leaders at 10.7 points out of 20.
The Democratic Alliance is a centre-right coalition that includes the smaller CDS – People's Party, a Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner. Together, they govern without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation.
Parliament debated legislative proposals from the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), CDS – People's Party (CDS – Partido Popular or CDS-PP), and Chega to restrict access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) for non-resident foreigners. The bills would require non-resident foreign citizens to pay user fees (taxas moderadoras) for public medical care. Opposition lawmakers criticized the measures during parliamentary debate, arguing that the right-wing parties are blaming foreigners for operational pressures across public hospitals.
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
Paulo Portas is a Portuguese politician and the former leader of the CDS–PP (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular). He often appears in media commentary—according to the story he used his weekly TVI slot to announce he will vote for António José Seguro in the presidential run-off.
The Portuguese government selected Germany's Lufthansa Group to acquire a minority stake in national airline TAP Air Portugal (Transportes Aéreos Portugueses). Under the privatization plan, Lufthansa will pay €1.2 billion for a 44.9% holding with an option to reach 49.9%, while the Portuguese state retains 50.1% of the shares with 5% reserved for airline workers. Lufthansa stated that the agreement will support TAP's expansion while safeguarding its brand identity and strategic flight routes to North and South America.
Update: Lufthansa to Pay Upfront Deposit for TAP Acquisition
Under the Council of Ministers' (Conselho de Ministros) resolution, Lufthansa must provide bank guarantees and pay an upfront deposit of 2.5%, amounting to up to €30 million, to the Portuguese state this year. Lufthansa Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr also confirmed plans to establish Lisbon as a primary European hub for flights to Brazil, routing transit traffic through the Portuguese capital instead of Frankfurt, Zurich, or Munich.
Update: German Union Criticizes Price as Diplomats Back Deal
German pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit criticized Lufthansa for paying an exceptionally high price for TAP's minority stake, contrasting with Portuguese and German foreign ministers who praised the agreement as a geostrategic success. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said the partnership strengthens transatlantic connections, particularly to Latin America.
TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s flag-carrier airline, founded on 14 March 1945 as Transportes Aéreos Portugueses. It began operations in 1946 with Lisbon–Madrid and quickly opened the long “Linha Aérea Imperial” to Angola and Mozambique, symbolically linking mainland Portugal to its overseas territories. TAP entered the jet age in the 1960s, became Europe’s first all‑jet airline in 1967, and rebranded as TAP Air Portugal in 1979. Nationalised after the 1974 Carnation Revolution, it went through cycles of partial privatisation and renationalisation, remaining a strategic state‑controlled company due to its role in connectivity, tourism, exports, and the Portuguese diaspora, especially to Brazil, Africa, and North America. Today TAP operates an all‑Airbus fleet from its Lisbon hub, marketing itself as a bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas and as a key economic and symbolic asset for Portugal.
The Council of Ministers (Conselho de Ministros) is Portugal’s national cabinet where the prime minister and ministers meet to approve government decisions, laws and emergency measures. In crises it can decide on declarations such as a state of calamity and the measures that follow; those decisions are then published in the Diário da República. Residents should note that a Council declaration can unlock national aid, resources and civil protection support for affected municipalities.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE) proposed a 1.5% average rate increase for normal low-voltage electricity customers in mainland Portugal's regulated market. The adjustment takes effect in January 2027 and follows an earlier 2.7% rate hike introduced in October. Higher wholesale power prices driven by natural gas costs contributed to the increase, though savings from renewable energy contracts prevented steeper price jumps.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE) is Portugal’s regulator for electricity, gas and fuel markets, responsible for licensing, tariffs and consumer protection. ERSE handles consumer complaints (it received about 80 complaints in the recent Galp case), can investigate billing disputes and impose sanctions, so it’s the authority to contact for unresolved energy issues.
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) debated legislative proposals to regulate non-resident access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Lawmakers considered introducing mandatory private health insurance requirements to prevent foreign visitors from misusing Portuguese medical facilities at public expense. The initiative follows findings that over 20% of the 19 million patient records in the national healthcare database lack full identification information.
São Bento refers to São Bento Palace (Palácio de São Bento), the historic building in Lisbon that houses the Assembly of the Republic (Portugal’s parliament) and is often used in the media as a shorthand for the national government. For expats, protests directed at São Bento signal demonstrations at the seat of political power and can cause road closures and increased police presence in central Lisbon.
A new government ordinance established maximum rent ceilings under the Simplified Affordable Rental Regime (Regime Simplificado do Arrendamento Acessível). The program grants landlords complete tax exemptions on rental income in exchange for charging below-market rates calculated by the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE). The updated framework also removes income eligibility checks for tenants and defines minimum lease contract durations.
The INE housing price index (Índice de Preços da Habitação) tracks changes in residential property transaction prices across Portugal, published quarterly by the National Statistics Institute (INE). It covers both new and existing dwellings and breaks data down by region, property type, and buyer nationality.
The index is a key reference for policymakers debating housing affordability measures, for lenders assessing mortgage risk, and for buyers and investors tracking market trends. It has shown sustained price growth since 2015, with particularly sharp increases in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve driven by international demand, tourism, and housing shortages.
Related INE publications include monthly housing transaction data, rental indices, and construction statistics. Together, they provide the most comprehensive picture of Portugal's property market.
Portugal's media regulator, the Media Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social or ERC), opened formal proceedings into the interruption of a live broadcast at Rádio Universidade de Coimbra (RUC) by members of the Chega party. The incident was led by Chega lawmakers Rita Matias and Madalena Cordeiro during a broadcast on 12 October. The Coimbra Academic Association (Associação Académica de Coimbra or AAC) announced it is submitting a formal complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público).
The ERC (Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social) is the independent administrative authority responsible for regulating and supervising media activities in Portugal. It ensures that media outlets adhere to legal standards regarding editorial independence, pluralism, and the protection of citizens' rights in communication.
André Ventura, born January 15, 1983, is a lawyer, academic, and Portugal's most prominent far-right leader. He founded Chega ("Enough") in 2019 after his PSD mayoral campaign attacked the Romani community. Chega surged from 1.3% in 2019 to 22.8% in May 2025, becoming parliament's second-largest party and making Ventura Leader of the Opposition.
His platform emphasizes immigration restrictions, law-and-order policies, constitutional reform, and contains inflammatory anti-Romani rhetoric that has triggered multiple discrimination convictions and investigations. Politically classified as far-right by international media, Ventura cultivates alliances with European far-right figures including Marine Le Pen and Santiago Abascal.
Rita Matias is a member of parliament (deputada) representing the right-wing party Chega in the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República). Elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, she leads the party's youth wing (Juventude Chega). She is a prominent spokesperson for Chega, frequently addressing education, university politics, and youth issues.
Portugal submitted its draft budgetary plan for the 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado) to the European Commission, committing to European Union net spending growth limits. The plan pairs fiscal discipline with higher military investment, aiming to raise defence spending beyond the NATO benchmark of 2% of gross domestic product (Produto Interno Bruto or PIB). The government also stated it will address housing affordability and begin phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
The privatization of flag carrier TAP Air Portugal will likely not conclude until 2028 due to an estimated 18 to 24 month regulatory review by European Union competition authorities. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento stated that the government will select the winning bidder this month, but revenue from the sale is excluded from the 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado). The minister noted that proceeds from the airline sale will directly reduce public debt rather than alter the operating budget balance.
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is Portugal's Finance Minister in the AD government led by Luís Montenegro. An economist and professor at ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics & Management), he served as PSD parliamentary group leader before joining the government.
As Finance Minister, he oversees the state budget, tax policy, public debt management, and fiscal relations with the EU. His decisions on tax brackets, IRS withholding tables, housing incentives, and public spending directly affect residents' cost of living and investment climate.
TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s flag-carrier airline, founded on 14 March 1945 as Transportes Aéreos Portugueses. It began operations in 1946 with Lisbon–Madrid and quickly opened the long “Linha Aérea Imperial” to Angola and Mozambique, symbolically linking mainland Portugal to its overseas territories. TAP entered the jet age in the 1960s, became Europe’s first all‑jet airline in 1967, and rebranded as TAP Air Portugal in 1979. Nationalised after the 1974 Carnation Revolution, it went through cycles of partial privatisation and renationalisation, remaining a strategic state‑controlled company due to its role in connectivity, tourism, exports, and the Portuguese diaspora, especially to Brazil, Africa, and North America. Today TAP operates an all‑Airbus fleet from its Lisbon hub, marketing itself as a bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas and as a key economic and symbolic asset for Portugal.
The Porto City Council (Câmara Municipal do Porto) refused an application to license a short-term rental (alojamento local) at the Major Seminary (Seminário Maior) near the city's cathedral. The Diocese of Porto has spent €16 million on the controversial restoration project, which drew a public petition with nearly 3,000 signatures opposing commercial lodging on the classified site. Church officials disputed the city's claims, asserting they never formally applied to operate a tourist accommodation.
Local accommodation (alojamento local) means short-term tourist rentals—private apartments, houses or rooms rented for days or weeks—that must be registered and licensed with municipal authorities. Municipalities can suspend or cancel licences (Lisbon cancelled about 6,700 licences in early 2026), so travellers and hosts should check a listing's registration and local rules before booking or offering stays.
The Diocese of Porto (Diocese do Porto) is the Roman Catholic territorial jurisdiction covering Porto and parts of neighboring districts in northern Portugal. Centered at Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto), it is one of the country's most prominent dioceses and manages a large portfolio of religious, cultural, and historic properties.
Authorities are investigating a potential misuse of EU financial resources within the country.
The European Parliament LGBTIQ+ Intergroup urged Portuguese authorities not to roll back legal protections for transgender and intersex individuals in the civil registry (registo civil). Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) MEP Catarina Martins backed the call, pointing to existing protections established under 2018 legislation. Lawmakers expressed concern that proposed revisions could weaken guarantees regarding gender self-determination.
Catarina Soares Martins (born September 7, 1973, in Porto) is a former actress and theatre co-founder who became Portugal's most prominent left-wing leader. First elected to parliament in 2009 representing the Left Bloc (BE), she rose to party coordinator in 2012 and sole national coordinator in 2014, holding the position for 11 years—the longest tenure in BE history. Under her leadership, BE achieved its best-ever result in 2015 with 19 MPs and 10% of votes, becoming critical parliamentary support for Prime Minister António Costa's Socialist government, shifting policy leftward on labour rights, pensions, and public services. After BE's collapse to 5 MPs in 2022, Martins stepped down as leader in May 2023 and left parliament.
Current role:
In 2024, she was elected to the European Parliament, where she advocates for social justice, climate action, and human rights. Her significance lies in consolidating BE as a stable parliamentary force and normalizing leftist government cooperation in Portugal.
The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários or CMVM) proposed creating individual savings and investment accounts exempt from capital gains taxes after three years. The initiative aligns with the European Union's Savings and Investment Union framework and aims to redirect household bank deposits, which totaled 204.2 billion euros in August, toward financial markets. CMVM plans to target deposits yielding low average interest rates near 1.6%.
The CMVM is Portugal's securities market regulator (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários), which supervises stock markets, investment firms and investor protection. The CMVM will shortly present a proposal to the Government for Savings and Investment Accounts (CPI), so investors should follow the proposal for changes to retail investment options.
New regulations designed to streamline urban planning processes have officially come into force in Portugal. While the government aims to reduce bureaucracy, the Order of Architects (Ordem dos Arquitetos) has advocated for a monitoring committee to address potential implementation issues as municipal councils adapt to the new procedures.
The Order of Architects (Ordem dos Arquitetos) is the professional regulatory body that governs the practice of architecture in Portugal. It ensures that all practicing architects meet specific educational and professional standards and represents the interests of the profession in discussions regarding urban planning and construction legislation.
The municipality of Barcelos has approved a new tourist tax of two euros per night for overnight stays in local accommodation. The fee applies year-round and is capped at a maximum of seven consecutive nights per person.
Law 58/2026, often referred to as the burqa law, officially took effect on 23 September, prohibiting the use of face-covering garments in public spaces. Violators face fines of up to €3,000, while those who force others to conceal their faces may face prison sentences of up to two years, with specific exemptions allowed for health reasons.
European Union member states are exploring the possibility of introducing a bloc-wide tax on capital gains from crypto-assets. The proposal is currently being considered as part of negotiations for the next EU multiannual budget to generate new community revenue.
A recent amendment to the Cybercrime Law (Lei do Cibercrime) has clarified the legal status of security researchers, effectively protecting 'ethical hackers' from criminal prosecution when testing company systems. The Public Prosecution Service (Ministério Público) has issued new practical guidelines to assist magistrates in applying these rules, which have been in effect since April.
The Ministério Público (Public Prosecution Service) is Portugal's independent state prosecution body, responsible for leading criminal investigations, bringing charges, and representing the public interest in court.
The MP operates autonomously from the government and the police, though it directs criminal investigations carried out by the Polícia Judiciária, PSP, and GNR. It is led by the Procurador-Geral da República (Attorney General), who is appointed by the President on the government's proposal.
The MP gets involved in high-profile cases including corruption, financial crime, and incidents of potential institutional negligence. It also defends the legality of government actions and protects citizens' fundamental rights through the courts.
Diesel prices have reached a record average of 2.267 euros per litre, prompting the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, to urge citizens to reduce energy consumption. Despite these historic costs, national fuel usage has continued to rise. The political opposition, including the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal or IL), is now pressuring the government to fulfill a parliamentary recommendation to lower the tax on petroleum products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos or ISP).
Founded in 2017, the Liberal Initiative advocates for reduced state intervention, tax simplification, labor market liberalization, and secular liberalism under the motto "Less State, More Freedom". The party gained its first parliamentary seat in 2019 and now holds 9 seats. Mariana Leitão, 42, became the party's first female leader in July 2025 after Rui Rocha resigned following disappointing 2025 election results. Leitão previously served as parliamentary leader and has been announced as the party's candidate for the 2026 presidential election. The party explicitly rejects alliances with both far-left and far-right parties, positioning itself as the "only alternative" that won't negotiate with extremes.
The ISP (Imposto sobre Produtos Petrolíferos e Energéticos) is Portugal's excise tax on petroleum and energy products, charged as a fixed amount per liter on petrol, diesel, and other fuels. It is one of the main components of fuel prices at the pump, alongside VAT and the carbon tax (Taxa de Carbono).
The government can adjust ISP rates — temporarily or permanently — to influence fuel prices. Rate cuts are a common policy tool to ease cost-of-living pressures on drivers and transport businesses, though they also reduce government revenue.
For consumers, the ISP is significant because even small changes in the per-liter rate translate into noticeable differences at the pump, particularly for diesel users and commercial transport operators.
The European Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas Europeu or ECA) reports that European Union efforts to detect and respond to major cyberattacks are only partially effective. The audit identifies scarce data sharing, reporting shortcomings, and implementation delays as primary obstacles. Officials also noted that a dedicated European Cybersecurity Alert System remains non-operational, limiting the bloc's ability to address digital threats.
The European Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Contas Europeu or ECA) is the independent external auditor of the European Union. Based in Luxembourg, it monitors the collection and spending of EU funds to ensure they are used correctly and effectively, reporting its findings to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Starting September 23, a new law prohibits the total or partial covering of the face in public spaces in Portugal. The legislation, often referred to as the burqa law, includes specific exceptions and carries fines of up to 3,000 euros for non-compliance.
The government and the Livre party are in disagreement over potential new restrictions for legal online gambling and betting. While the government prioritizes combating illegal platforms, Livre has proposed eight measures to address the rising number of players as a public health issue. Officials have admitted that amendments to the Advertising Code regarding gambling are currently under consideration.
LIVRE (meaning "Free") is a green left-wing party founded in 2014 by historian and former MEP Rui Tavares. The party struggled for years before finally electing Tavares as its first MP in 2022, then grew to 4 seats in 2024 and 6 seats in 2025—making it the only progressive party to gain ground in recent elections. LIVRE focuses on environmental protection, human rights, and progressive social policies while maintaining a pro-European stance.
The National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) has intensified enforcement against illegal immigration and labour exploitation, leading to 232 arrests in August alone. Between October 2023 and August 2026, the GNR inspected over 103,000 people and issued approximately 1,000 notifications for voluntary departure. Officials describe the current inspection strategy as more assertive.
The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is Portugal's national gendarmerie—a military police force founded in 1911, with origins dating to 1801. With over 22,600 personnel, GNR patrols 94-96% of Portuguese territory, covering rural areas, medium towns, and highways. Members are military personnel subject to military law, responsible for public order, customs, coastal control, environmental protection (SEPNA), firefighting/rescue (GIPS), border control, and ceremonial guards. GNR vs. PSP: The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's civilian police force, covering major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro) and large urban areas—only 4% of territory but roughly half the population. PSP handles airport security, diplomatic protection, and private security regulation. Both share core missions (public order, crime prevention), but differ in nature: GNR is military with military training; PSP is civilian with police-focused training.
Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho has refused to cancel the Volta packaging deposit system, despite Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas calling for its immediate termination. The minister stated the program is mandatory under European Union regulations and described it as successful, though she acknowledged the need to address social issues associated with waste collection. The government is currently studying ways to mitigate the visible impact of people searching through trash for containers.
Maria da Graça Carvalho (born 1955) is a Portuguese engineer and politician serving as Minister of Environment and Energy in the AD government. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and had a distinguished academic career at Instituto Superior Técnico, specializing in energy systems and building physics.
She served as a Member of the European Parliament (2009–2024), where she focused on research policy, innovation funding (Horizon 2020/Europe), and energy policy. Before entering politics, she was a scientific advisor to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
As Environment Minister, she oversees Portugal's energy transition, renewable energy expansion, water resources management, climate adaptation, and environmental regulation — portfolios that are central to issues like wildfire prevention, coastal erosion, and meeting EU climate targets.
Carlos Manuel Félix Moedas (born August 10, 1970, in Beja) is a civil engineer, economist, and center-right politician who has served as Mayor of Lisbon since October 2021. He earned degrees in civil engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico and an MBA from Harvard, working at Goldman Sachs and founding his own investment firm before entering politics. During Portugal's 2011-14 bailout, he served as Secretary of State coordinating Troika-mandated structural reforms. From 2014-19, he was European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, managing €77 billion in research funding and designing the €100 billion Horizon Europe program. Moedas narrowly won Lisbon's mayoralty in 2021 with 34.3%, defeating Socialist incumbent Fernando Medina. Governing initially with a minority coalition, he implemented free public transport for youth and elderly residents, launched the "Unicorn Factory Lisboa" innovation hub attracting 82 tech companies and 16,000 jobs, and won Lisbon the 2023 European Capital of Innovation award. He was re-elected in October 2025 with 41.7%, securing eight of nine council seats. His significance lies in shifting Lisbon's political trajectory rightward after decades of Socialist governance, positioning the capital as a European tech hub while prioritizing housing development, carbon neutrality by 2030, and innovation-driven economic growth.
The CDS party is moving forward with an amendment to the decree regulating the display of flags on public buildings following a presidential veto. The PSD has also introduced an autonomous proposal, which officials claim goes further than the CDS version in addressing the President's concerns regarding ideological symbols.
The Democratic Alliance (Aliança Democrática, AD) is a center-right coalition primarily composed of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with 89 seats and the CDS–People's Party (CDS-PP) with 2 seats. Together, they form the current minority government under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The PSD, despite its name, occupies the center-right of Portugal's political spectrum and has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. The CDS-PP is a smaller Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner.
The AD coalition governs without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation. The coalition has imposed a cordon sanitaire against Chega, refusing formal cooperation with the far-right despite its parliamentary strength, which means it must negotiate with the PS or smaller parties to advance its legislative agenda.
The Association of Inspectors and Chiefs of the Maritime Police (Associação de Inspetores e Chefes da Polícia Marítima or AICPM) has filed a lawsuit against the Portuguese State and the Navy. The association cites total chaos, severe budget constraints, and illegitimate military interference as reasons for the legal action, noting that some local commands are currently operating with only one officer.
The European Commission has proposed a new framework allowing local authorities to restrict short-term holiday rentals in high-pressure housing areas, provided they justify the measures with data. While industry groups like the Portuguese Association for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (Associação do Alojamento Local em Portugal or ALEP) seek more clarity, officials point to cities like Lisbon as examples where such regulations are necessary to manage market pressure.
Update: EU introduces new framework for local housing regulation
The European Commission has clarified that the new Affordable Housing Act is not a mandatory imposition but a set of tools intended to provide legal certainty for municipalities. MEP Sebastião Bugalho noted that the framework allows local governments to address specific territorial needs, though officials acknowledge that regulation alone will not resolve the housing crisis without a significant increase in overall supply.
The European Commission is the EU’s executive body based in Brussels that proposes legislation, enforces EU rules and manages day‑to‑day EU policies; it is led by a President, currently Ursula von der Leyen. Commission proposals on harmonising business rules or introducing preferences can directly affect trade, regulation and competitiveness for companies and residents across all member states, including Portugal.
The Portuguese Association for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (Associação do Alojamento Local em Portugal or ALEP) is an industry group that represents owners and managers of short-term rentals. It advocates for the interests of the local accommodation sector (Alojamento Local) in regulatory discussions at both the national and European levels.
Sebastião Bugalho is a journalist and political commentator who currently serves as a member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD). He was elected in June 2024 after leading the party's list in the European elections.
The European Commission is set to introduce a proposal for common rules allowing member states to better regulate short-term accommodation platforms like Airbnb. The initiative aims to alleviate housing pressure in high-demand areas across the European Union.
A new entry and exit control system is now in effect at Portuguese airports, requiring the mandatory collection of biometric data from all passengers arriving from outside the European Union. The National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (Unidade Nacional de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras or UNEF) of the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) stated that the system is ready to process fingerprints and photographs. While the government anticipates increased pressure at border crossings, officials claim procedures are in place to minimize passenger delays.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
Five months after the launch of the Volta System, the government admits the deposit and refund model faces challenges, including improper waste disposal and disorderly collection behavior. The Minister of Environment stated that authorities are analyzing the situation and seeking case-by-case solutions to improve the system's efficiency.
The National Communications Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações or Anacom) has fined the telecommunications operator NOS 350,000 euros for unilaterally changing contract terms. The regulator stated that NOS failed to provide the required 30-day notice before introducing mandatory advertising in automatic TV recordings, a practice that also led to previous fines for Meo and Vodafone.
ANACOM is Portugal's national regulator for communications (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações). It supervises telecoms, internet, radio and postal services, handles consumer complaints and can fine providers; after Storm Kristin it warned fixed-network problems in affected regions may persist until mid‑June. Those with ongoing phone or internet outages should first report them to their provider and can escalate unresolved complaints to ANACOM.
New legislation governing paid passenger transport in electronically available vehicles, known as the TVDE regime, comes into effect on September 1. The updated law, which amends previous 2018 regulations, also mandates that new taxi fare rules will begin on October 1. The changes follow eight years of regulation for ride-hailing platforms in Portugal.
Portugal has implemented a ban on cash payments or receipts involving amounts of 3,000 euros or more. According to the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal), this restriction applies to both parties in a transaction and cannot be circumvented by splitting payments into smaller installments.
Banco de Portugal is Portugal's central bank, founded in 1846. It is a member of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the Eurosystem, working alongside the European Central Bank (ECB) to implement monetary policy in the euro area.
Its main functions include supervising banks and financial institutions, ensuring financial stability, managing Portugal's gold and foreign currency reserves, and producing economic research and statistics. It also operates the payment systems infrastructure and issues banknotes.
Banco de Portugal is led by a Governor — currently Mário Centeno (since 2020) — who also sits on the ECB's Governing Council. For residents, the central bank matters because it regulates the banks they use, sets macroprudential rules (such as mortgage lending limits), and provides a complaints mechanism for banking disputes.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has enacted new legislation to overhaul the licensing, maintenance, and oversight of rail transport in Portugal. The new framework applies to metropolitan systems, trams, and historic funiculars, following the fatal derailment of the Glória funicular in 2025.
Electoral Mandate and Democratic Consensus:
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was elected President of Portugal on January 24, 2016, winning 52.0% of the vote in the first round—a decisive victory in a fragmented field. He campaigned as an independent, positioning himself as a unifying figure after years of austerity from Portugal's 2011–14 bailout, promising to repair political divisions and restore national confidence. His campaign emphasized moderation and cross-party consensus, a departure from his decades-long association with the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD). Upon taking office on March 9, 2016, he suspended his party membership for the duration of his presidency.
His 2021 re-election proved extraordinary: Rebelo de Sousa secured 60.7% of the vote—the third-highest margin in Portuguese presidential electoral history since the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Historically, he became the first candidate ever to win in all 308 municipalities and the vast majority of parishes, ranging from 51.3% in Beja District to 72.16% in Madeira. This unprecedented sweep reflected his broad appeal across social, geographic, and ideological divides.
Constitutional Role and Crisis Leadership:
Portugal operates as a semi-presidential system where the president, while largely ceremonial, exercises meaningful influence over national security, foreign policy, and military affairs as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Rebelo de Sousa leveraged this authority during Portugal's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he requested parliamentary authorization for a state of emergency—the first nationwide declaration in 46 years of democratic history—to contain the crisis. He voluntarily quarantined after potential COVID-19 exposure in March 2020, and later tested positive in January 2021 while remaining asymptomatic. His measured handling of the pandemic, balancing public health with institutional continuity, contributed to his landslide 2021 re-election.
Diplomatic Engagement and International Presence:
Rebelo de Sousa has conducted extensive state visits representing Portugal's interests across diverse regions: the Vatican, Spain, Mozambique, Morocco, Brazil, Switzerland, Cuba, the United Kingdom, Greece, the United States, and Angola. A notable diplomatic highlight occurred in 2019 when he joined President Emmanuel Macron at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, representing European military cooperation and the European Intervention Initiative. These engagements positioned Portugal as an active participant in global affairs, particularly regarding colonial history and Atlantic security partnerships.
Colonial Legacy and Historical Accountability:
During his presidency, Rebelo de Sousa has publicly supported making restitution and acknowledging abuses committed during Portugal's colonial history and the country's role in the Atlantic slave trade. This position marked a significant policy shift, as Portugal historically avoided confronting its imperial past compared to other European powers. His stance reflected evolving attitudes within Portuguese society toward historical accountability.
Controversies and Public Criticism:
Rebelo de Sousa's presidency has not been without controversy. In 2023, allegations emerged that he had intervened to expedite treatment for Brazilian twins with Zolgensma, an expensive rare disease medication, raising questions about presidential influence and potential corruption. These claims implicated his son and generated criticism across Portuguese political and media sectors. Additionally, in April 2024, Rebelo de Sousa made controversial remarks comparing the speed of Prime Ministers António Costa and Luís Montenegro using orientalist language that drew public rebuke. In August 2025, he called U.S. President Donald Trump a "Russian asset" at a PSD event, demonstrating his willingness to make provocative foreign policy statements.
Constitutional Constraints and Legacy:
Under Portugal's constitution, Rebelo de Sousa is barred from running for a third consecutive term, meaning his presidency concludes with elections scheduled for January 18, 2026. His decade-long tenure has established him as one of Portugal's most popular recent heads of state, characterized by broad consensus-building and institutional stability. Whether future presidents can replicate his cross-party appeal remains an open question for Portuguese democracy as it enters a new era.
Starting 23 September, a new law prohibits the use of clothing in public spaces intended to conceal or hinder the display of the face. Violations can result in fines of up to 3,000 euros, while coercing others to cover their faces may lead to imprisonment. The legislation includes specific exceptions for health, safety, weather, and professional requirements.
The Portuguese government has acquired a 13.7% stake in the National Energy Network (Redes Energéticas Nacionais or REN) for 380 million euros. While the government cites national sovereignty and energy security as reasons for the move, critics argue the acquisition signals a return to state capitalism and lacks a clear economic rationale, given that the sector is already strictly regulated.
REN (Rede Eléctrica Nacional) is Portugal's operator for high-voltage electricity transmission and for gas transport infrastructure, responsible for running the transmission grid and keeping the system stable. It also publishes national electricity consumption data and is the main contact in cases of large-scale outages or transmission issues.
The National Road Safety Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária or ANSR), alongside the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) and the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR), has launched a nationwide zero-tolerance campaign against drunk driving. Running until August 24, the initiative focuses on raising awareness and increasing enforcement operations to reduce risky driving behaviors.
The National Road Safety Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária or ANSR) is the agency responsible for traffic safety and law enforcement on Portuguese roads. It manages the country's speed camera network and oversees public awareness campaigns to reduce traffic fatalities. The agency is currently planning to integrate artificial intelligence into its surveillance systems to better monitor driver behavior.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is Portugal's national gendarmerie—a military police force founded in 1911, with origins dating to 1801. With over 22,600 personnel, GNR patrols 94-96% of Portuguese territory, covering rural areas, medium towns, and highways. Members are military personnel subject to military law, responsible for public order, customs, coastal control, environmental protection (SEPNA), firefighting/rescue (GIPS), border control, and ceremonial guards. GNR vs. PSP: The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's civilian police force, covering major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro) and large urban areas—only 4% of territory but roughly half the population. PSP handles airport security, diplomatic protection, and private security regulation. Both share core missions (public order, crime prevention), but differ in nature: GNR is military with military training; PSP is civilian with police-focused training.
The Ministry of Economy is developing new measures to combat the use of front shops and companies by criminal networks involved in illegal immigration and human trafficking. Authorities are currently evaluating potential solutions to address these illicit activities, which have been identified as a growing concern in commercial sectors.
Social Security (Segurança Social) has ordered the immediate closure of an illegal nursery in Amadora that was operating with 50 children. Authorities cited severe overcrowding and determined that the facility posed an imminent risk to the health and safety of the minors involved.
Parental leave (licença parental) in Portugal includes paid leave around childbirth that can be shared between parents plus a separate paternity quota, with eligibility usually tied to social‑security contributions or residency. Payments and administration go through Social Security (Segurança Social), so expat parents should check their contribution record, employment contract and register with Segurança Social to claim benefits and confirm exact leave length and pay rates.
New European Union regulations regarding end-of-life vehicles come into force this Thursday, August 13. The rules aim to boost the recycling and reuse of automotive materials while reducing the bloc's reliance on imported raw materials.
Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho has announced plans for a new waste incinerator in the Algarve, estimated to cost €300 million. Environmental group ZERO has criticized the decision, arguing it undermines the circular economy, though the minister has expressed a willingness to discuss alternatives.
The government led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has decided not to require companies to disclose salary offers directly in job advertisements. While the European directive on pay transparency allowed for such a requirement, the upcoming national transposition will not include this provision. The government is instead focusing on strengthening sanctions for companies that maintain wage inequalities.
The Mobility and Transport Authority (Autoridade da Mobilidade e dos Transportes or AMT) has delayed the implementation of new taxi fare rules until 30 days after the new legal framework for electronic transport platforms, known as TVDE, is published. The regulator intends to use this time to review feedback from taxi associations and ensure there are no regulatory conflicts. The proposed model aims to adjust pricing structures based on time and distance.
The Mobility and Transport Authority (Autoridade da Mobilidade e dos Transportes or AMT) is the public body responsible for regulating and supervising the transport sector in Portugal. It oversees competition, service quality, and pricing across various modes of transport, including taxis and ride-sharing services.
The National Communications Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações or Anacom) has proposed a new regulation allowing customers to claim up to €5,750 in compensation for service interruptions during the process of switching internet providers. Under the draft, which is open for public consultation until September 11, the new provider would be responsible for coordinating the transfer to minimize service gaps.
ANACOM is Portugal's national regulator for communications (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações). It supervises telecoms, internet, radio and postal services, handles consumer complaints and can fine providers; after Storm Kristin it warned fixed-network problems in affected regions may persist until mid‑June. Those with ongoing phone or internet outages should first report them to their provider and can escalate unresolved complaints to ANACOM.
Starting September 1st, judges will have the authority to impose fines of up to 10,200 euros on parties who engage in acts intended to delay legal proceedings. This measure, published in the official gazette (Diário da República), aims to streamline the justice system.
The Official Journal (Diário da República) is Portugal's government gazette where laws, decrees and public contracts are formally published and take legal effect. Public‑private partnership approvals and other official notices — like the launch of the Central Algarve Hospital PPP — are published there so residents and businesses can find the authoritative text.
