The Sao Pedro da Cadeira unit near Lisbon opened on Monday under Knok, a Portuguese telemedicine firm on a EUR2.4 million, five-year state contract, the SNS's first privately managed family health unit. It serves 5,463 patients, with Silves and Lagos next.
A rule in force since January cuts the back Social Security contributions an employer owes when caught using undeclared workers from twelve months to three, easing the penalty for firms even as fines climb, and shrinking the record of workers who were never registered.
Good morning. Here is your Monday briefing for 3 August 2026 — six stories shaping Portugal today, from a one-off windfall tax on oil companies to a heatwave pushing almost the whole mainland
Every northern and central district plus Faro sits at maximum fire risk on Monday, with IPMA yellow warnings almost nationwide through Tuesday evening. Highs of 40°C are forecast for Santarém and Évora, and the elevated danger is expected to last all week.
The base rate on Certificados de Aforro rises to 2.474% in August, up from 2.356% in July and just under its 2.5% cap. With a €100 minimum, a state guarantee and permanence bonuses of up to 1.75 points, the state's savings certificates remain a low-risk home for cash.
The Council of Ministers has approved a 'continuous' teacher-recruitment model to fill classroom vacancies faster from 2026/2027, and extended the school smartphone ban to grades seven to nine. Secondary school will now start on 21 September.
From 1 August, the National Health Service has replaced the 20-year-old SIGIC with SINACC, a new platform for managing access to surgery and, later, consultations and diagnostics — alongside new rules for contracting private and social-sector providers to cut waiting times.
