AGP Executive Report

Housing Crisis: Thousands rallied outside Portugal’s parliament as lawmakers debated the 2027 budget, protesting police clearances of housing encampments in Lisbon and Porto. The clashes left dozens injured and led to arrests; an inquiry into police conduct is underway. President António José Seguro called for urgent, practical housing measures, while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro defended the police response. Business: Portuguese construction group Mota-Engil has been selected for work on the Lobito rail corridor in Angola, part of a major project to connect mineral-producing regions to the Atlantic coast.

Housing Crisis: Parliament began debating next year’s spending plans as protesters prepared to rally in Lisbon, pressing the government to tackle soaring costs. Housing prices have jumped 147% since 2015 and nearly 20% in the year to early 2026; rents are up 68% since 2020. President António José Seguro has called a Council of State meeting to discuss the unrest. Earlier police clearances of housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto drew criticism from Amnesty International. Sines Investment: A new digital-twin system is being tested at Start Campus’s Sines data centre to help optimize AI operations. The site is expected to host more than 66,000 NVIDIA GPUs. Energy Business: Galp and Moeve have ended talks on a refining and distribution merger, leaving Galp’s Sines refinery operating independently. Air Links: TAP has launched twice-weekly direct flights from Porto to Sal in Cape Verde, adding a seventh intercontinental destination from the city.

Clean Industry: HyOrc plans a 150-tonne-a-day waste-to-methanol plant in Portugal, targeting installation in 2028 and seeking EU funding. The proposal follows smaller planned facilities near Porto. Water: The World Bank and Lisbon International Centre for Water launched a multi-year partnership to help countries strengthen water and sanitation services, with support from Portugal’s government. Energy: Galp and Spain’s Moeve have ended merger talks over their refining and fuel businesses. Galp shares fell 7.5%, while the future of Sines refinery appears secure. Housing: Lisbon and Porto saw clashes as police cleared housing-rights protest camps; 25 people were arrested in Lisbon. Housing investment is forecast to fall 63.5% as Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan funding ends.

Housing Crisis: Police cleared protest camps in Lisbon and Porto amid clashes, as Portugal’s Bar Association called for an inquiry into the response. The government’s 2027 housing investment plan is set to shrink 63.5% as EU recovery funding ends. Energy: Galp and Spain’s Moeve have abandoned talks to combine their refining and distribution businesses, saying they could not agree on terms. Aviation: TAP’s new Lisbon–Orlando route, launching October 29, will offer 45 to 60 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity alongside passenger flights. Algarve Tourism: Talks to bring the Dakar Rally’s 2027 prologue and stage start to the region are “well on track,” tourism chief André Gomes says, with the Algarve Stadium proposed as rally headquarters. Jobs: Indonesia and Portugal are targeting a migrant-worker agreement by late November, building on a pilot placing 30 Indonesians in Portugal’s hospitality sector.

Housing Protests: Police cleared housing-rights camps in Lisbon and Porto, detaining 31 people and leaving more than 20 injured, according to reports. Amnesty International condemned what it called excessive force and called for an urgent investigation. Demonstrators later rallied in both cities. Political Pressure: Opposition figures and members of President António José Seguro’s honorary committee are urging him to speak out; Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has yet to comment. Unlocking Homes: A new law aims to free thousands of properties tied up in inheritance disputes, allowing a single heir to force a sale after two years without agreement.

Housing Crisis: Portuguese police dismantled protest camps in Lisbon and Porto early Sunday, arresting 31 people after thousands marched over soaring rents and a shortage of homes. Police reported a small number of injuries; organizers said dozens were hurt and condemned the use of batons. Homes now cost more than twice as much as in 2017, while rents for new leases have nearly doubled. Political Response: LIVRE called on President António José Seguro to take a firm position, while critics accused the government of staying silent. Seguro has convened a Council of State for November 2 to discuss social cohesion. Housing Supply: The clashes underline the pressure to build more affordable homes: Lagoa has cleared the way for 520, while Gaia’s mayor says the government is blocking plans for 2,500 homes for young people.

Housing Crisis: Thousands marched in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra on Saturday, demanding urgent action as Portugal’s housing protests enter a third week. Demonstrators say soaring costs are shutting people out of homes. Cybersecurity: A breach of the national firefighters’ register may have exposed sensitive personal data from about 60,000 records. The emergency authority suspended the affected system and warned firefighters to watch for fraud attempts. Jobs and Business: Portugal’s job-creation rate fell to 2.3% in 2025, down from 3.7% in 2024 and 4.7% in 2023. Construction continued to hire, while agriculture and natural-resource jobs declined.

Faro and Environment: Portugal’s environment minister is heading to Faro to advance flood-recovery and waste measures. Separately, authorities raised an alert after West Nile virus was found in a bird near the Guadiana River. Protests and Housing: Unions and housing campaigners have joined a wider wave of demonstrations. Property prices are up 18.4% as sales fall; the Bank of Portugal governor says more construction is needed, while a new law lets a single heir force the sale of a home after two years of deadlock. Tourism: Portugal is targeting €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035, but an Algarve tourism chief says double-digit visitor growth should no longer be the priority. Jobs and Health: NKT’s expanded Portuguese cable factory is adding 150 jobs. A proposed 15% subsidy for obesity medicines would be limited to patients meeting strict hospital-based care rules.

Housing: Portugal’s housing crisis is prompting renewed political action: President António José Seguro has called a Council of State meeting for November 2 on social cohesion, amid protests over rents and living costs. House prices are up 18.4% while sales have fallen; a new law could unlock homes stuck in family disputes, and Lagoa has cleared the way for 520 affordable homes. Algarve Floods and Waste: Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho heads to Faro on October 30 to sign agreements supporting flood-prevention planning and a study of better ways to treat municipal waste. Health: A proposed 15% subsidy for obesity medicines comes with strict hospital-care requirements, limiting who may qualify. Portugal Abroad: Qatar has named Portugal and Spain as partners for its Years of Culture programme in 2030.

Housing Crunch: Gaia’s mayor says the Defence Ministry is blocking a derelict site planned for 2,500 homes for young people. House prices rose 18.4% year-on-year in the second quarter as sales fell 9%. A new law could unlock thousands of homes stuck in family disputes, while the Bank of Portugal governor is urging more construction. Cost of Living: Portuguese workers and young people joined protests sweeping Europe, amid anger over prices, housing and austerity. Health Access: A 15% state subsidy for obesity drugs will be limited to patients meeting strict hospital-care rules. New rules also protect patients’ access to essential medicines after clinical trials. Algarve: The government says it is addressing Faro flood risks and the region’s waste problems. Tourism leaders urge a focus on revenue rather than visitor growth, as Portugal targets €53 billion in tourism receipts by 2035. Environment: A West Nile virus-positive bird found on the Guadiana has put the Algarve border area on alert; the government is also committing €5 million to Iberian lynx conservation.

Housing: Portugal has approved rules allowing one heir to force the sale of a property after two years of deadlock, aiming to free homes trapped in family disputes. The government says around 485,000 habitable homes are empty. Transport: Rail workers are striking through 27 October over pay and working conditions, disrupting services nationwide. Cost of Living: Housing and rising expenses are driving protests in Lisbon and Porto, amid wider demonstrations across Europe. Tourism: A new strategy targets 50 million international visitors and more than €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035. Public Health: West Nile virus detected in a bird across the Guadiana in Spain has put nearby Algarve municipalities on alert; Portuguese authorities had not yet commented on monitoring. Conservation: Portugal has approved €5 million through 2030 to protect Iberian lynx populations and expand suitable habitat.

Cybersecurity: Portuguese councils and hospitals are among 29 public bodies found using outdated website software, exposing systems to flaws that could let hackers run code on their servers. Security fixes have been issued, but some sites remained unpatched. Public Health: Shamonda virus has been detected in livestock in Portugal, as France reports the first known human case, in a seriously ill patient who died. Authorities say there is no identified risk to the general public. Housing: After police cleared protest camps in Lisbon and Porto, housing activists spent another night outdoors in the capital and plan a new demonstration. In Lagoa, councillors approved a land-use change that could enable 520 affordable homes within a development of up to 743 properties. Healthcare: Portugal’s planned 15% subsidy for obesity medicines, due to start in February, will be limited to patients in hospital programmes and prescriptions from designated specialists. Doctors and patient groups warn the rules could shut many people out. Environment: Conservation groups say a revised mega-solar project in Beira Baixa still threatens habitats and could affect thousands of holm and cork oaks.

Housing Crisis: More than 300 protesters in Lisbon took down their tents after a police clearance but voted to keep mobilising by sleeping outdoors. The president has called for broad agreement between government and opposition on housing. Storm Recovery: The European Parliament approved €489 million in aid for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta, with Portugal receiving the largest share: €261.5 million for storm and flood damage. Pensions and Care: Portugal’s average old-age pension of €691 a month covers only about five and a half months of nursing-home costs, leaving many middle-income families facing a steep shortfall. Industry and Environment: NKT’s expanded Portuguese cable factory has added 150 employees. Meanwhile, the European Commission says it may reconsider strategic-project status for the contested Covas do Barroso lithium mine, citing the need for public acceptance.

Storm Recovery: The European Parliament has approved €261.5 million for Portugal after severe storms and flooding earlier this year, funding repairs to infrastructure and essential services. Housing Pressure: Lisbon’s housing protests continue after police cleared a camp at Rossio and arrested 55 people, keeping affordability and the housing crisis at the centre of public debate. Politics: The Socialist Party is deciding how to vote on the 2027 State Budget; its leader has favoured abstention, though pressure is growing over housing. Industry: NKT has opened an expanded power-cable factory in Portugal, adding 150 jobs. Tourism and Events: Lisbon has been named Europe’s top city destination, while the Dakar Rally may begin with a prologue in Portugal before moving to Morocco in 2027, according to reports.

Housing Crisis: Police dismantled protest camps in Lisbon and Porto and arrested 55 people, but thousands rallied Tuesday and Lisbon demonstrators vowed to rebuild their camp. Portugal’s president has called for government-opposition consensus on housing. Cost of Living: Rising energy prices are adding to pressure over wages and housing, with demonstrations reported across Portugal and other European countries. Residency Rules: Portugal has set out seven core documents for long-term visa applications; separate proposals would charge non-resident foreigners for public healthcare. Jobs and Connectivity: Flutter’s planned cuts of up to 1,400 UK and Irish jobs could affect staff in Porto. A new subsea cable is also planned to link Ireland with Europe, including a landing point in Carcavelos. Algarve: Resin tapping could bring income to pine-forest owners while encouraging woodland management that may help reduce wildfire risk.

Housing Unrest: Lisbon’s housing protests have spread into tent camps, as demonstrators challenge soaring rents and unaffordable homes. The issue is part of wider European discontent over living costs and public services. Wildfire Response: Portugal is testing an AI-supported drone system in the Serra do Marão, aiming to reach fires within minutes instead of the current average of 30. First trials are expected in about a year. Health: Portugal is among the European countries with the sharpest rise in breast cancer among women under 50. The EU-wide rate climbed 16% from 2000 to 2022, and doctors warn younger women may be diagnosed later because they are often outside routine screening programmes. Jobs: Flutter’s planned cuts of up to 1,400 roles across the UK and Ireland could affect staff at its Porto hub, which supports those markets. The company blames higher UK gambling taxes. Alentejo: A new study says the Alqueva water project has boosted irrigation and exports but has not delivered on all its promises, including retaining residents and reducing regional inequality.