Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz signs an extension of all current ground-handling licences at Lisboa, Porto and Faro to 25 October 2026 — the close of IATA Summer 2026 — while SPdH's precautionary injunction against the Clece/South tender award sits in court.
The latest Portugal news, analysis, and what it means for expats and residents.
Compete 2030 reprogramming opens five concursos worth ~€1.1bn — four STEP notices plus a €200M industrial-decarbonisation notice. President Alexandra Vilela tells ECO a new Portuguese financial instrument for startups is on the way and 10% co-financing uplift is the lever.
DE-SNS opens a 14-day public consultation (closing 20 May 2026) on a new Medicina Intensiva network. 21 SMI units have installed but inactive beds; 95% intensivist target; 1 nurse per 1.5 ICU patients; 24.4% of SMI lack rehabilitation nurses. Activation pipeline through 2029.
Over 200 inmates of Lisbon's EPL Ala B refused to return to cells Monday morning, sitting on the floor and demanding to be received by the prison director. GISP intervention unblocked the situation; director António Leitão promised an afternoon hearing. EPL is scheduled for gradual closure by 2028.
Ministério Público confirms €3.2M State loss in Operação Fundo Perdido. Three arrested across Évora, Santarém, Setúbal — fictitious invoicing and over-invoicing inside Portugal 2020 and Alentejo 2020 reporting. 23 fraud counts plus criminal-association indictment, certified accountant suspended.
Trump's Truth Social post unilaterally lifts the EU auto tariff from the 15% July-2025 deal to 25% effective this week. ACAP says Portugal isn't directly exposed (most exports head to the EU) but flags the Volkswagen Autoeuropa, Continental Lousado and components stack to the global ripple.
