Daily Briefing -- Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Portugal Rules Out Military Role in Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that Portugal will not deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, despite pressure from the United States. Speaking after an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Rangel said the position reflects a "broad consensus" among EU member states and that diplomatic channels remain the appropriate path forward.

EU Border System Catches 4,000 Overstayers in Four Months

The Entry/Exit System has recorded 17 million travellers and 30 million border crossings since launch, detecting approximately 4,000 overstays and issuing 16,000 entry refusals. The biometric system replaces passport stamps and enforces the 90/180-day rule digitally. The companion ETIAS pre-travel authorisation system remains delayed.

AIMA Begins Delivering 20,000 Residence Cards

Approximately 20,000 residence permits renewed during the second half of 2025 have been sent to Casa da Moeda for issuance. Half have already shipped, with deliveries continuing through mid-April. The AIMA store in Anjos will open on Saturdays to facilitate collection. Rejected applicants will be notified separately.

New EU Driving Safety Rules Coming in July

All new vehicles registered in the European Union from July 2026 will be required to include Advanced Driver Distraction Warning systems. The technology uses cameras and sensors to monitor eye movement and head position, alerting distracted drivers through dashboard notifications, audible warnings, or steering wheel vibrations. Existing vehicles are exempt.

Azores Volcanic Alert Maintained at V2

The volcanic alert levels at Santa Barbara Volcano and the Western Fissure Volcanic System on Terceira Island remain at V2, indicating ongoing instability. Seismic activity, while low magnitude, continues above reference levels. IVAR has recommended that residents adopt appropriate self-protection measures, particularly near unstable slopes and coastal areas.

Fertagus Users File EU Complaint Over Train Conditions

The Fertagus Users' Committee has sent a formal complaint to the European Commission against the Portuguese state, alleging that the cross-Tagus rail service operates in conditions "outside the European standard" with daily delays, overcrowding, and safety risks. The committee reports worsening conditions since 2025 and is calling for EU intervention.

Mercadona to Open Two New Stores in April

Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona will open stores in Viseu on April 9 and Covilha on April 16, marking its first presence in the Castelo Branco district. The Viseu location will create 75 jobs and feature a 1,900 square metre sales area. The chain continues its steady expansion across Portugal.

Government Cuts Fuel Tax to Cushion Price Rises

The Finance Ministry has approved extraordinary ISP tax reductions that will save drivers 6.1 cents per litre on diesel and 3.3 cents per litre on petrol this week, compared to prices from the first week of March. Unleaded gasoline has been added to the relief measures after exceeding the 10-cent increase threshold.