Brussels, Feb. 5, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Commission announced on Thursday the mobilisation of €347 million for strategic submarine cable projects in the European Union (EU), including a €20 million call for tenders to strengthen repair capabilities.
"Submarine data cables, which carry 99% of intercontinental internet traffic, are essential to modern life and the European economy. In view of the increasing risks threatening this critical infrastructure, the European Commission is stepping up efforts to strengthen its security and resilience," the European Commission said in a statement.
The institution has therefore decided to amend the Digital Work Programme of the Connecting Europe Facility to allocate €347 million to strategic submarine cable projects, including a €20 million call for proposals to strengthen the EU's repair capabilities, which opens today.
In addition, it has created a Cable Security Toolbox with risk mitigation measures, as well as a list of Cable Projects of European Interest, with a view to allocating more EU funds from the long-term EU budget.
Today's announcements include the EU Cable Security Action Plan, which aims to increase the security and resilience of European submarine cables, such as those in Portugal, to combat the increase in intentional damage and acts of sabotage.
In a risk assessment carried out in October 2025, the European Commission identified risk scenarios, threats, vulnerabilities and dependencies.
Under the current multi-annual work programme of the Connecting Europe Facility (2024-2027), €533 million has been allocated to submarine cable projects, of which €186 million has already been allocated to 25 projects.
Between 2021 and 2024, the programme has made €420 million available for 51 cable connectivity projects.
The security of submarine cables is important for Portugal because the country occupies a key geostrategic position in the Atlantic, acting as a link between Europe, Africa and the Americas, with several international cables coming ashore in Portugal, including in the Azores and on the mainland.
These cables support digital communications, financial services, cloud services, defence, scientific research and the digital economy in general, so any disruption can have significant economic, social and security impacts.
In addition, Portugal has been taking on an increasingly important role as a technology and data hub, ensuring the security of such infrastructure in a context of increased risks of sabotage, accidents and geopolitical tensions.
ANE/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
