News from Portugal – Euro Weekly News

News from Portugal – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com News and views in English since 1998 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:40:22 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://euroweeklynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cropped-EuroWeeklyNews-Favicon-2-60x60.png News from Portugal – Euro Weekly News https://euroweeklynews.com 32 32 Why this popular garden plant could ruin your Autumn in Portugal https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/08/why-this-popular-garden-plant-could-ruin-your-autumn-in-portugal/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/08/why-this-popular-garden-plant-could-ruin-your-autumn-in-portugal/#respond Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:40:22 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=580782 Hay fever type allergies are super miserable for anyone who suffers, and if you’re visiting Portugal this Autumn and sneezing more than usual, the culprit could very well be the trendy plant hidden in plain sight across Portugal’s countryside. Known as Cortaderia selloana, pampas grass originally comes from South America. It was brought to Europe as an ornamental plant and became popular for…

]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/08/why-this-popular-garden-plant-could-ruin-your-autumn-in-portugal/feed/ 0 Brits heading to Portugal with easyJet face five days of strikes, with 500 flights at risk https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/29/brits-heading-to-portugal-with-easyjet-face-five-days-of-strikes-with-500-flights-at-risk/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:31:36 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=580115 You’ve booked a late-season break in the Algarve and are counting down the days, but easyJet’s cabin crew based in Portugal are about to walk out. The union says around 500 flights from Faro, Lisbon and Porto could be hit across five days, starting Friday October 2. Cabin crew based at easyJet’s three Portuguese bases will strike from Friday October 2 until Tuesday October 6…

]]> Lidl leaves Mercadona trailing as Portuguese supermarket battle heats up https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/05/lidl-leaves-mercadona-trailing-as-portuguese-supermarket-battle-heats-up/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/05/lidl-leaves-mercadona-trailing-as-portuguese-supermarket-battle-heats-up/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:07:53 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=578166 In Portugal, supermarket shelves are turning into quite the battleground. For Mercadona, the challenge isn’t about getting people through the door, after all, the Spanish chain is drawing in more Portuguese shoppers and rapidly expanding across the country. However, when it comes to where these customers spend their weekly grocery money, Lidl is increasingly emerging as the preferred choice.

]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/05/lidl-leaves-mercadona-trailing-as-portuguese-supermarket-battle-heats-up/feed/ 1 One night, thousands gathered in the dark at Portugal’s medieval festival https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/13/one-night-thousands-gathered-in-the-dark-at-portugals-medieval-festival/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:01:39 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=576426 For 12 days, Santa Maria da Feira travelled back nearly 900 years, again bringing in huge crowds to one of Portugal’s most popular historical events, but an unexpected incident on the final night briefly plunged part of the festival into darkness. Viagem Medieval em Terra de Santa Maria, one of the most well-known medieval festivals in Europe ended on August 9, after its 30th anniversary…

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]]> Portugal moves to stop pets being left behind in wildfires and floods https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/10/portugal-moves-to-stop-pets-being-left-behind-in-wildfires-and-floods/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:52:33 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=576125 For families forced to flee their homes during a wildfire, flood or other disaster, one of the most frightening decisions can be what to do with their animals. Portugal has now taken steps to make sure that saving pets and other animals is not left entirely to owners, volunteers or charities when an emergency strikes. From August 8, animals are formally part of Portugal’s civil protection system…

]]> Two Chilean recluse spiders with a fearsome reputation have reached Portugal https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/29/two-chilean-recluse-spiders-with-a-fearsome-reputation-have-reached-portugal/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:13:50 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=575169 If you have recently seen headlines about one of the world’s most infamous spiders being discovered in Portugal and immediately started checking your shoes before putting them on, you are probably not alone. The discovery of a spider with a reputation for causing serious skin reactions sounds alarming, but before Portugal is imagined as a new home for a dangerous eight-legged invader…

]]> Spain once again on alert as Portugal battles wildfires threatening to cross the border https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/28/spain-once-again-on-alert-as-portugal-battles-wildfires-threatening-to-cross-the-border/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:50:46 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=575101 Portugal is battling a dangerous new wildfire emergency, and this time the flames are threatening to become Spain’s problem too. As firefighters continue battling devastating blazes on both sides of the Iberian Peninsula, Portuguese authorities have warned that one of the country’s largest active wildfires is now dangerously close to the Spanish border. If conditions worsen…

]]> Police issue urgent warning over cruel new car accident scam targeting elderly drivers https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/07/25/police-issue-urgent-warning-over-cruel-new-car-accident-scam-targeting-elderly-drivers/ Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:17:59 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=574766 A small knock against your car is an unlucky moment on an otherwise ordinary drive, the kind of thing you’d be frustrated at, deal with and move on from. Recently, however for dozens of drivers, that same small knock has turned into a nightmare that emptied their bank accounts. Officers from Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) have flagged a new twist on the fake traffic accident scam…

]]> Holiday ends in tragedy as British tourist found dead in Algarve villa pool https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/29/holiday-ends-in-tragedy-as-british-tourist-found-dead-in-algarve-villa-pool/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:25:02 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=572773 Holidaymakers in the Algarve have been left shaken after a 27-year-old British tourist was found dead in a villa swimming pool in Vilamoura, with police now awaiting autopsy results to determine how the tragedy happened. The man was discovered in the early hours at a holiday rental property in one of the Algarve’s most popular resort areas for British visitors. Emergency services were called to…

]]> Over 1,200 residents are taking legal action over Portugal’s citizenship rules https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/26/over-1200-residents-are-taking-legal-action-over-portugals-citizenship-rules/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:58:55 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=572595 More than 1,200 foreign residents are reported to be involved in legal action over changes to Portugal’s nationality law, according to immigration lawyers and advisory sources. The changes tighten the residency requirements needed to apply for Portuguese citizenship and alter how time spent in the country is calculated. For some applicants, the new rules extend the qualifying period by several…

]]> Living alone in Portugal now costs up to €2,500 a month in 2026 https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/19/living-alone-in-portugal-now-costs-up-to-e2500-a-month-in-2026/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:22:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=571921 Living alone in Portugal is becoming noticeably more expensive in 2026, with monthly costs now typically ranging from around €1,200 in smaller cities to as much as €2,500 in Lisbon as rent continues to rise. The increase is being driven mainly by housing, with rental prices continuing to climb in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto, where demand remains high and supply is limited.

]]> Europe’s best stargazing spot lies near Spain and wins major 2026 award https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/14/europes-best-stargazing-spot-lies-near-spain-and-wins-major-2026-award/ Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:25:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=571476 Dark Sky Alqueva in Portugal has just received top honours as Europe’s best stargazing destination at the Tourism Leaders Awards 2026. The protected zone in the Alentejo region earned the award for best astrotourism experience. Its location near the Spanish border attracts many visitors, including those from Spain. The reserve covers about 10,000 square kilometres. Very low artificial lighting…

]]> Major strike in Portugal to cause widespread disruption to air and rail travel https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/06/02/major-strike-in-portugal-to-cause-widespread-disruption-to-air-and-rail-travel/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 23:58:34 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570611 Portugal is bracing for a nationwide general strike on June 3, with unions in aviation and rail warning of significant disruption to flights and train services. Air travel and rail services are expected to be affected across the country, with cancellations and delays anticipated as unions across multiple sectors prepare to take part in industrial action. Transport operators have warned that…

]]> Portugal notifies of temporary suspension of EU border biometric checks https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/30/portugal-notifies-of-temporary-suspension-of-eu-border-biometric-checks/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/30/portugal-notifies-of-temporary-suspension-of-eu-border-biometric-checks/#comments Sat, 30 May 2026 19:54:56 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570463 Portugal has notified the European Commission that it may temporarily suspend the collection of biometric data under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at certain border crossing points, in order to manage passenger congestion at airports. The notification allows Portuguese border authorities to pause the collection of biometric data in specific locations when passenger flows exceed processing…

]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/30/portugal-notifies-of-temporary-suspension-of-eu-border-biometric-checks/feed/ 1 Portugal’s last circus elephant finds a new home https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/29/portugals-last-circus-elephant-finds-a-new-home/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/29/portugals-last-circus-elephant-finds-a-new-home/#comments Fri, 29 May 2026 11:34:09 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=570396 Portugal’s last circus elephant is retiring to a life of luxury. Julie, who has been a part of the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus since 1988, will be one of the first elephants to reside at Pangea, Europe’s first ever elephant sanctuary. Pangea elephant sanctuary spans 1,000 acres in Alenejo, Portugal. Its habitats have been modelled after Asian and African planes…

]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/29/portugals-last-circus-elephant-finds-a-new-home/feed/ 2 Portuguese vets say they cannot treat people who identify as animals https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/19/portuguese-vets-say-they-cannot-treat-people-who-identify-as-animals/ https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/19/portuguese-vets-say-they-cannot-treat-people-who-identify-as-animals/#comments Tue, 19 May 2026 20:07:05 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569532 The Portuguese Order of Veterinarians (Ordem dos Médicos Veterinários, OMV) has issued guidance stating that veterinary professionals cannot treat humans under any circumstances, including individuals who identify as animals. The clarification is part of internal professional guidance designed to support clinics when faced with unusual or unclear requests, rather than a change in legislation or…

]]> https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/19/portuguese-vets-say-they-cannot-treat-people-who-identify-as-animals/feed/ 5 New bridge over river Sever to cut Madrid-Lisbon drive by up to 100 kilometres https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/18/new-bridge-over-river-sever-to-cut-madrid-lisbon-drive-by-up-to-100-kilometres/ Mon, 18 May 2026 19:35:40 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=569387 Travel times between Spain and Portugal stand to improve dramatically with this new infrastructure project. Drivers will gain faster connections across the border region. A new international crossing over the River Sever will join Cedillo in Caceres province with Montalvão near Nisa. Drivers will see reductions of 85 to 100 kilometres on journeys between the two capitals.

]]> Portugal to offer €439 payment and free driving licence in youth military programme proposal https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/08/portugal-to-offer-e439-payment-and-free-driving-licence-in-youth-military-programme-proposal/ Fri, 08 May 2026 15:07:54 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=568624 Portugal’s government is considering a voluntary civic-military programme that would offer young participants a cash payment and access to a free driving licence as part of a plan to improve recruitment into the armed forces. The proposal has been put forward by the governing PSD and CDS-PP coalition and is still under discussion in parliament. It has not yet been approved as law. The scheme…

]]> Bonnie Tyler placed in induced coma after emergency surgery in Portugal https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/05/07/bonnie-tyler-placed-in-induced-coma-after-emergency-surgery-in-portugal/ Thu, 07 May 2026 19:32:43 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=568551 Singer Bonnie Tyler has been placed in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal, according to statements released by her representatives. The 74-year-old singer underwent surgery at a hospital in Faro after suffering a perforated intestine. Reports state that the medical emergency occurred while she was in Portugal, where she owns a property in the Algarve region.

]]> Europe visa warning: tougher Portugal rules could make long stay moves harder from July https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/29/europe-visa-warning-tougher-portugal-rules-could-make-long-stay-moves-harder-from-july/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:16:15 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567893 Brazilians hoping to move to Portugal or elsewhere in Europe for work, study or remote living could soon face a tougher process. New long stay visa requirements linked to Portugal and backed within the wider EU debate are expected to apply from July 2026, bringing stricter checks on income, savings and accommodation. Tourist trips are not the focus, but anyone planning to settle in Europe for…

]]> Portugal confirms high-speed rail link between Lisbon and Madrid by 2034 https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/25/portugal-confirms-high-speed-rail-link-between-lisbon-and-madrid-by-2034/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:44:07 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567478 Exciting news for travellers wanting to enjoy pastel de nata and patatas bravas within a few hours of each other, as Portugal has now confirmed plans for a high-speed rail connection between Lisbon and Madrid, setting a target completion date of 2034. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has stated that all necessary conditions are now in place to deliver the long-discussed project…

]]> Portugal allocates €11 million to boost tourism in interior regions https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/21/portugal-allocates-e11-million-to-boost-tourism-in-interior-regions/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:33:29 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=567180 Portugal is increasing public investment in tourism projects aimed at developing inland regions of the country and reducing pressure on major cities and coastal destinations. The national tourism authority, Turismo de Portugal, has supported a new round of funding worth around €11 million for projects located in low-density areas. The schemes are designed to support tourism activity outside Lisbon…

]]> Portugal airport warning: up to 2-hour queues expected for non-EU travellers this Easter https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/04/01/portugal-airport-warning-up-to-2-hour-queues-expected-for-non-eu-travellers-this-easter/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:57:51 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565489 If you’re flying through Portugal over the Easter holidays, especially on a non-EU passport, you may want to allow extra time. Airports are warning of queues of up to two hours at border control, just as one of the busiest travel periods of the year gets underway. The reason isn’t a strike or staff shortage this time. Instead, it comes down to the rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES)…

]]> Portugal plans tougher immigration rules – longer detention and faster deportations ahead https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/29/portugal-plans-tougher-immigration-rules-longer-detention-and-faster-deportations-ahead/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:47:30 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=565206 Portugal is preparing to tighten its immigration system, with plans to hold migrants for longer and speed up deportations. The government has approved a new proposal that would extend detention periods to as much as 18 months in some cases, remove the formal step of voluntary departure, and make it harder to delay removal through legal appeals. The draft law is now heading to parliament…

]]> Urgent appeal after storm damage to elder care centre in Tomar https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/19/urgent-appeal-after-storm-damage-to-elder-care-centre-in-tomar/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:08:08 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=564360 A vital care centre in central Portugal is urgently seeking donations after sustaining extensive damage during Storm Kristen. The Parish Social Centre of Além da Ribeira, near the city of Tomar, was directly hit by the storm at around 4am on January 28. The resulting destruction has left the organisation facing repair costs of approximately €300,000, which has significantly affected the…

]]> Brits are flocking to Portugal: UK relocations triple in a decade with major lifestyle change https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/15/brits-are-flocking-to-portugal-uk-relocations-triple-in-a-decade-with-major-lifestyle-change/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:41:12 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=564013 Brits are escaping grey skies and political gloom by choosing sunny Portugal as their new home, according to figures. Official numbers reveal a dramatic growth in British residents over the past decade all across Southern Europe, but not least Spain and Portugal. The Portuguese immigration authority AIMA recorded 16,559 UK nationals living in Portugal in 2014. Numbers then soared to 48,238…

]]> Portugal confirms high-speed Madrid-Lisbon rail link and when https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/09/portugal-confirms-high-speed-madrid-lisbon-rail-link-and-when/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:22:56 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563420 Portugal and Spain have shaken hands on plans for a high-speed rail connection between Lisbon and Madrid, targeting completion by 2034. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced the news during the 36th Hispano-Portuguese Summit in La Rábida, Huelva, revealing that foundational elements now exist to deliver the ambitious project on schedule. Montenegro said that major progress had been made on…

]]> Extreme weather forces Spain and Portugal into new climate alliance https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/07/extreme-weather-forces-spain-and-portugal-into-new-climate-alliance/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:33:51 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563277 Spain and Portugal have announced a new joint climate alliance aimed at tackling the growing risks of extreme weather across the Iberian Peninsula. The agreement, signed during the 36th Spain-Portugal Summit in Huelva, focuses on strengthening cooperation in areas such as wildfire response, flood prevention, drought management and emergency services – issues that increasingly affect millions of…

]]> Portuguese citizens evacuated from conflict zone as military plane lands in Lisbon https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/03/06/portuguese-citizens-evacuated-from-conflict-zone-as-military-plane-lands-in-lisbon/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:50:42 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=563221 A Portuguese military aircraft carrying dozens of passengers, including 24 Portuguese citizens, landed in Lisbon early in the morning of Friday March 6 as part of a government-led repatriation effort amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The flight touched down at the Figo Maduro military airbase at around 05:00, transporting a total of 39 passengers who had been evacuated from Muscat…

]]> Disaster as Portugal’s main A1 motorway collapses after dike burst https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/13/disaster-as-portugals-main-a1-motorway-collapses-after-dike-burst/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:21:24 +0000 https://euroweeklynews.com/?p=561305 A major section of Portugal’s A1 motorway has collapsed near Coimbra after a dike along the River Mondego gave way during severe weather this week. The rupture forced authorities to close the country’s principal north–south highway, which links Lisbon and Porto, causing significant disruption to traffic and freight routes. The incident occurred near Casais, east of Coimbra, where days of intense…

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