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Brussels Fines AliExpress €550 Million for Failing to Curb Unsafe and Counterfeit Goods, Its Largest Digital Services Act Penalty Yet

The European Commission has fined AliExpress €550 million under the Digital Services Act for failing to stop illegal, unsafe and counterfeit goods reaching its 193 million EU users. It is the largest DSA penalty yet, after fines on X and Temu. AliExpress calls it disproportionate and will appeal.

The Portugal Brief 21 Jul 2026

Heads of state and government of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries pose for a group photograph on a red carpet in front of a CPLP summit banner

The Portuguese-Speaking Bloc Turns 30 Still Short of Its Potential, Portugal's Foreign Minister Says, as He Courts Guinea-Bissau's Return

As the Community of Portuguese Language Countries turns 30 on 17 July, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel says its full potential is nowhere near exploited, presses for suspended founder Guinea-Bissau's return, and reports progress on the CPLP Mobility Agreement that shapes Lusophone migration to Portuga

The Portugal Brief 12 Jul 2026

The neoclassical Assembleia da Republica, Portugal's parliament, floodlit at night with its columns and a stone lion statue in the foreground

Brussels Tells Portugal to Shore Up Pension Sustainability and Fill Health-Staff Gaps in Its European Semester Verdict

EU finance ministers closed the 2026 European Semester by urging Portugal to guarantee the medium-term sustainability of its pension system — projected third-highest for pension spending by 2045 — fill health-workforce gaps and expand affordable housing.

The Portugal Brief 11 Jul 2026

The Portuguese Parliament building at São Bento in Lisbon

Portugal Has Until 2028 to Overhaul How It Vets Foreign Takeovers as Brussels Makes Screening Mandatory

A new EU regulation forces Portugal to make foreign-investment screening mandatory in sensitive sectors by 2028 — and the government has yet to decide who will run it.

The Portugal Brief 08 Jul 2026

A Portuguese Navy frigate under way at sea near a coastline

Portugal Joins Three of the EU's Five Flagship Defence Projects, From Drones to Seabed Security

Portugal has joined three of the five European Defence Projects of Common Interest unveiled by Brussels on 3 July: the Decoder drone programme, the IMSD maritime and seabed-defence effort, and the EU-FIAMD air- and missile-defence shield — part of a push worth some €190 billion by 2036.

The Portugal Brief 06 Jul 2026

Every Parcel From Shein and Temu Now Carries a €3 EU Handling Fee — Here's What Changed for Portuguese Shoppers on July 1

A new €3 EU handling fee now applies to almost every parcel from Shein, Temu and other non-EU sellers, ending the old €150 exemption. With 5.44 million Portuguese online shoppers, CTT plays down disruption but warns of possible clearance delays.

The Portugal Brief 05 Jul 2026

A row of European Union flags flying outside the European Commission building in Brussels

Portuguese Science Captures About €10 Million in European Research Council Advanced Grants

Researchers tied to Portugal won roughly €10 million in the European Research Council's latest Advanced Grants, the EU's most prestigious funding for established scientists.

The Portugal Brief 25 Jun 2026

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