One month after storm Kristin, Leiria hospital is still feeling the effects: in the first six hours after the storm 177 polytrauma patients arrived at the emergency department, staff worked without communications, roads remained blocked and many people reached the hospital in their own cars. Medical teams say the surge and infrastructure problems have left services stretched and recovery of normal operations is ongoing. Those relying on emergency care in the Leiria district should expect delays and follow local health unit notices.

Local leaders in the Alentejo Litoral region, led by Vítor Proença of CIMAL (Comunidade Intermunicipal do Alentejo Litoral), have raised concerns about the 'dehumanisation' of services at the Hospital do Litoral Alentejano, citing reports of inadequate care for elderly and vulnerable patients. A meeting of municipalities and social institutions sought solutions and pledged coordinated action to improve care standards. Residents in the Alentejo Litoral should watch for local measures and any service reorganisations announced by municipal authorities.

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.

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) does not rule out new floods this week as rain is forecast to return and persist until Sunday, raising the risk of local flash floods in vulnerable areas. Authorities and local civil protection services may issue alerts if conditions worsen; residents in flood‑prone zones should review evacuation plans and secure property. Those travelling this week should check local warnings and allow extra time for journeys.

Lenders warn that mortgage repayments that reset every six months will rise as reference rates remain high, meaning many borrowers face bigger instalments when their contracts reprice. The report says mortgages indexed to short‑term rates and updated semi‑annually will be most exposed, prompting some buyers to seek renegotiation or refinancing. Homeowners with variable contracts should check their loan terms and speak with their bank about options.

After more than two decades of negotiation the EU‑Mercosur agreement has gained momentum, lowering tariffs and promising new access for European products to South American markets, including Brazil. Analysts say Portuguese exporters could benefit from reduced taxes and expanded supply‑chain options, though implementation details and standards will determine winners and losers. Exporters, importers and businesses tied to agricultural and industrial supply chains should follow how the deal is phased in and any rule‑of‑origin or sanitary requirements announced.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on sites in Iran, with officials saying they targeted locations where senior figures were gathered and Iran reporting civilian casualties that remain independently unconfirmed. European leaders reacted with concern: European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint call for “maximum restraint,” while France pressed for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. The strikes and diplomatic responses have already unsettled markets and raised travel‑security questions across the region. Those with travel plans or business tied to the Middle East should monitor government travel advice and airline notices.

Coimbra recorded a record 1,238 mm of rainfall between October 1, 2025 and February 16, 2026, surpassing the previous 1966 benchmark, the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente) and IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) said. APA called the situation 'exceptional' after weeks of heavy rain that filled local dams several times and stressed local services. Residents should follow municipal and civil protection warnings about flooding, travel disruption and water management measures. Those living in central Portugal should keep an eye on local alerts and prepare for possible infrastructure impacts.

Update: EU Offers Help After Extreme Rain

The President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he spoke, at the Prime Minister's request, with several European leaders in Brussels and found a “very large openness” in the EU to study ways to help Portugal with storm damages. The comment signals possible EU-level assistance discussions but gave no timeline or confirmed funding.

Update: Government Prioritises Clearance of Fallen Trees

The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, said removing trees downed by severe weather is a government priority ahead of the fire season and that the executive is working on the issue. The measure is aimed at reducing summer fire risk and clearing transport corridors but officials have not published a national timetable.

Portuguese universities are reviewing assessment methods after widespread student use of artificial intelligence tools forced a rethink of traditional exams and essays. Institutions say they will not ban AI wholesale but will change how they test skills, moving toward oral exams, supervised assessments and revised plagiarism checks. Students should expect changes to exam formats and academic integrity rules this year. Anyone studying at a Portuguese university should check course notices and faculty guidance on permitted tools and new assessment dates.

Thousands of people demonstrated in Lisbon and Porto against changes to the labour law.

Brisa explained on Wednesday, February 25, in parliament that the landslide on the A5 (Lisbon-Cascais) in the Monsanto area was caused by an 'abnormal' volume of water. The technical analysis to determine the solution is expected to be completed next week. António Pires de Lima, the president of Brisa's executive committee, and Manuel Melo Ramos were heard in the Infrastructure, Mobility and Housing Commission regarding the maintenance of the A1 and A5 motorways following incidents caused by storms in the country. Manuel Melo Ramos noted that the affected slope is large and extends beyond the concession area, covering the Monsanto forest. He stated that drainage systems had functioned well for decades and that there were no signs of instability prior to the recent storms, which caused soil instability and debris to flow onto the road, leading to the preventive closure of three of the four lanes towards Lisbon-Cascais. Traffic has since been progressively restored, with one lane still restricted while monitoring and stabilization work continues. The Brisa administrator explained that a technical analysis is underway and should be completed next week. He could not provide a timeline for the intervention as the definitive solution is still pending. Additionally, Pires de Lima announced that the concessionaire will not seek compensation from the Portuguese state for the landslide on the A1 near Coimbra. The storms have resulted in significant destruction, with 18 fatalities and many injuries and displacements reported, particularly affecting the Centre, Lisbon, and Alentejo regions.

Standard & Poor's maintained Portugal's long‑ and short‑term sovereign rating at A+ and changed the outlook from stable to positive, citing economic resilience and falling net public debt. The agency said budget management and solid growth support the revision and that a positive outlook often precedes a future upgrade. Markets and the government may interpret this as validation of recent fiscal trends; investors should monitor finance ministry statements and bond market moves.