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A bottle of Portuguese extra virgin olive oil

Brazilian Tests Flag Three Portuguese Olive Oils as Mislabelled 'Extra Virgin'

Preliminary Brazilian lab results suggest oils from Andorinha, Gallo and Terras de Camões fell short of their labels. The findings aren't conclusive, and Portugal is Brazil's biggest supplier.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

A rock pigeon (Columba livia)

The Azores Halt Pigeon Hunting and Bird Fairs Over a Newcastle Disease Outbreak

The archipelago has banned pigeon hunting and bird fairs after Newcastle disease was found in wild rock pigeons and turtle doves — low risk to people, but highly contagious among birds.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

The Banco de Portugal building in Porto

The Bank of Portugal Brings a Weekly Counter to Bragança, Its Only Outpost in Trás-os-Montes

In a region used to watching services close, the central bank is opening a walk-in counter in Bragança's municipal market every Friday — the only Bank of Portugal presence in Trás-os-Montes.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

A motorist refuelling a car at a petrol pump

Diesel and Petrol Jump Nearly 10 Cents Next Week as the Government Widens Its Fuel-Tax Rebate

Diesel is set to rise up to 10 cents a litre next week and petrol up to 9, pushing a tank of diesel back over €2. Lisbon widened its ISP tax rebate to soften the blow.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

Portuguese Parliament (Palácio de São Bento), Lisbon

Portugal's Single Social Payment Becomes Law, but the Money Won't Move Until 31 December

The decree creating the Prestação Social Única took effect on Friday, folding 13 benefits into one payment — but claimants won't see the money until 31 December while Social Security adapts.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

The window of a Portuguese driving school in Porto, displaying road-sign decals and carta de condução services

Getting a Portuguese Driving Licence From Scratch in 2026 — A Practical Guide to the Escola de Condução Route, the Código Theory Exam in a Foreign Language, the New Tutor Rules and Who Can't Simply Exchange a Foreign Licence

If your country's licence can't be exchanged in Portugal, the only route is to earn a Portuguese one from scratch. Our 2026 guide covers the driving-school path, the código theory exam (now available in a foreign language), the new tutor rules, the IMT fees and what it all costs.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

The emergency department building and ambulance bay at a Portuguese public hospital, part of the SNS national health service

Portugal's Health Minister Calls Emergency-Room Waits Better Than Two Years Ago, a Day After They Topped Eleven Hours

On 14 August, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins said emergency-room waits are better than two years ago — a day after the SNS's own live data showed patients queuing over eleven hours at a Lisbon-area hospital, and as interior obstetric emergency rooms kept closing for the summer.

The Portugal Brief 15 Aug 2026

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