Daily Briefing — Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Today's briefing: New Nationality Law Talks Continue, Carlos Cabreiro Named PJ Director, Finance Minister Warns on Budget Execution, and 2 more.
📋 In This Edition
- New Nationality Law Talks Continue
- Carlos Cabreiro Named PJ Director
- Finance Minister Warns on Budget Execution
- INEM Recruitment Falls Short
- Lisbon Metro Circular Line Delayed to Q1 2027
Inflation Hits Seven-Month High. Portugal's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.7% in March, up from 2.1% in February, driven by a 5.8% surge in energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The reading marks the highest level since August 2025. INE released preliminary estimates Monday.
23,000 Immigrants Notified to Leave. Portugal's Annual Internal Security Report reveals more than 23,000 undocumented immigrants were formally ordered to leave the country in 2025. Immigration-related crime surged 251%, driven by sham marriages and document fraud. General crime rose 3.1%, but violent crime fell.
Euribor Surge Raises Mortgage Costs. The 12-month Euribor rate posted its largest three-year jump, ending a two-year decline. Homeowners with variable-rate mortgages will see payments rise by approximately €13 per month on a €150,000 loan starting in April. The increase reflects eurozone inflation fears and ECB policy uncertainty.
New Nationality Law Talks Continue. The government remains confident a revised nationality law can pass despite last-minute negotiations with opposition parties. The PSD is engaged in talks with the PS to secure majority support, while Chega separately announced plans to initiate a constitutional review process in April.
Carlos Cabreiro Named PJ Director. Carlos Cabreiro was appointed as the new National Director of the Polícia Judiciária, succeeding the outgoing leadership. The announcement came alongside Monday's release of the Annual Internal Security Report.
Finance Minister Warns on Budget Execution. Miranda Sarmento acknowledged Monday that planned IRS tax cuts and pension bonuses will be "more difficult to execute" in 2026 due to deteriorating fiscal conditions. The Iran conflict and Storm Kristin recovery costs have strained budget assumptions.
INEM Recruitment Falls Short. A recruitment drive for 200 new INEM emergency medical technicians has yielded just 68 candidates, some of whom may still fail qualification requirements. The shortfall highlights ongoing staffing challenges in Portugal's emergency medical services.
Lisbon Metro Circular Line Delayed to Q1 2027. The opening of Lisbon's long-awaited Circular Line has been pushed back to the first quarter of 2027, officials confirmed Monday. The project has faced repeated delays since construction began.
