Stories from Portugal

António José Seguro defended the end of the unanimity rule for certain European Union decision-making processes during the closing of the Atlantic Link Forum. The forum took place at the Fundação Carlos Colbenquien. Seguro stated that the world is no longer as it used to be.

A report released on April 22 indicates that Portugal was one of four OECD countries where the weight of taxes and contributions on salary income decreased in 2024 and 2025. The increase affects workers who are currently participating in strikes.

A broadcaster in Madeira is questioning the availability of a second aerial firefighting unit for the region this year. The inquiry seeks a clear calendar for the implementation of this resource.

Benfica head coach José Urinãu stated his immediate goal is to lead the team into the Champions League. He said he is not currently thinking about a move to Real Madrid, though he did not rule out the possibility in the future. This follows reports from Athletic citing sources regarding Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.

Portugal is being urged to transpose the 2023 Transparency Directive into national law. The directive requires reporting on salary gaps between men and women and oversight of wages for precarious workers or technology-based companies.

The Portuguese government is conducting an evaluation of the emergency communications system via a multi-ministerial team. The plan is scheduled to run until 2030. A commentator noted that while the State holds approximately 8.4 million euros, private entities hold less than 7.6 million euros. The speaker argued that private sector actions must align with the logic of the law regarding the execution of the plan. Critics argue that entities like Águas de Portugal and AICEP must operate with a profit motive. The Prime Minister has reportedly not clarified specific business opportunities arising from these market logics. Critics argue that the management of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) has involved missed deadlines and excluded projects. The Portuguese government is preparing to allocate 36 million euros to update the CIRESPE emergency communications system.

The Executive Director of the National Health Service (SNS) stated in Parliament that the government will not be able to provide family doctors to all citizens by 2027. Despite the rise in income, the effective taxation on these earnings decreased. The data was released following the publication of 2024 IRS statistics. Effective taxation on these rising incomes has decreased, according to RTP Antena 1. According to a recent report by the CDE, the tax burden on labor began to reduce during the first year of the ADE government. The broadcaster noted that the tax burden in Portugal was previously higher than in Spain. Since 2024, the difference in tax burden between the two nations has changed. The report suggests these economic shifts reflect the concrete income results of citizens' work. Initial requests are facing average wait times of 11 months.

A proposal has been presented to increase the lowest pensions to 520 euros due to an extraordinary structural surplus in social security. The source argued for improved pensions through state budget transfers.

Deputy André Ventura is defending a proposal for zero percent VAT on basic food items. A commentator described Ventura's proposal for zero VAT on food as being similar to socialist policies. He also supports reducing VAT on energy, electricity, and gas.

Portuguese citizens have seen food basket prices increase by 19 euros since the start of the year. The measure faces opposition from the AD, CHEGA, and Iniciativa Liberal parties, according to the report. The impact of living costs is noted as being particularly acute for pensioners with lower pensions. Political parties AD, CHEGA, and Iniciativa Liberal voted against measures regarding fuel costs, food production costs, and fishing. The source noted that the cost of living is felt acutely by all Portuguese people. The CHEGA party, AD, and Iniciativa Liberal reportedly voted against these specific measures during the State Budget discussion. The tax burden on labor in Portugal fell for the second consecutive year in 2025. This decline occurred while the general tax burden in OECD countries rose.