Portugal's left-wing Bloco de Esquerda has officially approved a call to vote for António José Seguro in the upcoming presidential election runoff. Seguro, a Socialist Party candidate, will face far-right leader André Ventura on February 8, 2026, after leading the first round on January 18.
Portugal's Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) has officially endorsed Socialist candidate António José Seguro for the second round of the presidential elections, scheduled for February 8, 2026. The move aims to counter the far-right candidate André Ventura, who also advanced to the runoff.
Portugal's gambling regulator, SRIJ, has ordered crypto prediction platform Polymarket to cease operations and be blocked nationwide. The directive, issued on January 17, 2026, stems from Polymarket's lack of a Portuguese license and the country's strict prohibition on political betting, particularly after over €103 million was wagered on the recent presidential election.
Portugal's economy is set for robust performance, with GDP growth projected to outpace the eurozone average in 2026, driven by domestic demand and EU funds. The nation anticipates maintaining a budget surplus, with forecasts ranging from 0.1% to 2.1% of GDP for 2025 and 2026. The hospitality sector is experiencing a significant boom, attracting substantial foreign investment, with hotel market value expected to reach €1.15 billion in 2025.
Portugal participated in a European Defence Agency meeting on January 15, 2026, alongside six other EU member states and shipbuilders, to discuss the development of a new family of European Combat Vessel frigates. This initiative aims to address naval shortfalls and enhance Europe's maritime security by the 2040s.
Portugal has enacted significant rental tax reductions as part of its 'Mais Habitação' program, aiming to formalize up to 60% of informal housing leases, boost supply, and enhance affordability. Key measures include lowering personal income tax on rental income to 10% for moderate rents and offering tax exemptions for properties transitioning from short-term to long-term rentals.
Portugal recently participated in a European Defence Agency (EDA) meeting on January 15, 2026, alongside six other EU nations and shipbuilders, to discuss the development of a new family of European Combat Vessel frigates. This initiative aims to deliver advanced naval capabilities by the 2040s, addressing the modernization needs of European navies.
A nest of approximately ten 150-million-year-old Jurassic dinosaur eggs, believed to be from a small carnivorous theropod, has been discovered on the cliffs of Santa Cruz beach in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The rare find offers new insights into Late Jurassic life and dinosaur reproduction.
Portugal has officially received the first five of its 12 ordered A-29N Super Tucano light attack and training aircraft from Embraer. This delivery marks Portugal as the inaugural European and global operator of the NATO-compliant variant, enhancing its capabilities for pilot training and close air support.
The Madeira archipelago has been severely impacted by Depression Emilia, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high seas. The adverse weather led to over 300 incidents, including fallen trees and power lines, and caused the cancellation of more than 180 flights at Madeira Airport, affecting thousands of passengers and disrupting maritime connections.
Portuguese authorities have arrested eight individuals, including officials from the Vinho Verde wine commission and wine producers, in a large-scale fraud probe dubbed 'Operation Puro Verde'. The investigation centers on alleged corruption, document falsification, and abuse of power compromising the integrity of the region's wines.
Portugal has updated its cybercrime law, introducing exemptions for security researchers and ethical hackers. Published on December 4, the amendment creates a legal safe harbor for good-faith vulnerability discovery under strict conditions, aiming to bolster national cybersecurity.
The extensive modernization of Terminal 2 at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport is finished, with official government inauguration scheduled for January. The project, led by ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, aims to significantly enhance passenger experience and operational capacity, doubling its pre-pandemic throughput to 8 million passengers annually.
The Portuguese government has approved a new regime for the return of illegal immigrants, significantly increasing detention periods to up to 540 days and extending re-entry bans for forcibly removed individuals to 20 years. The measure aims to curb irregular migration and prevent the use of Portugal as a gateway to Europe.
Portugal is at risk of violating new European Union expenditure control rules, with projections indicating net expenditure growth exceeding recommended limits for 2025 and 2026. This could trigger an 'Excessive Deficit Procedure' by the European Commission, despite the country's overall budget balance being close to EU recommendations.
The Police Professionals Trade Union Association (ASPP/PSP) has strongly criticized 'political pressure' and 'inexplicable interference' regarding persistent delays at Lisbon Airport. The union refutes blame for long waiting times, attributing them instead to inadequate infrastructure, new technology, and commercial priorities over border security, while airport management denies the accusations.
Portugal is preparing for a nationwide general strike on December 11, 2025, called by the CGTP and UGT unions to protest proposed labor law reforms. The Minister of Labour, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, expects minimum services to be guaranteed across vital sectors, acknowledging potential widespread disruption, particularly in aviation.
The Portuguese municipalities of Portimão and Lagoa have been officially selected to host the 4th Mediterranean Beach Games in 2027, scheduled from September 11 to 18. The decision, made by the International Committee of Mediterranean Games, highlights the Algarve region's capacity to deliver a premier international sporting event.
His Highness the Aga Khan commenced an official visit to Portugal from December 1 to 4, 2025, at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The visit underscores the robust, long-standing partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and Portugal, focusing on continued collaboration and engagement with the Ismaili community.
Portugal's largest police union, ASPP/PSP, has ceased pay negotiations with the government, citing 'insufficient' proposals regarding salary scales, supplements, and evaluation regulations. The union's president, Paulo Santos, announced plans for protest actions after the government's offer of a minimal increase of €3-€7 per month was rejected. This follows a previous agreement from July 2024 that unions claim has not been fully honored.
