Lisbon, July 13, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese minister of the economy, Castro Almeida, announced on Monday a review of the rules governing business licencing, aimed at “doing away with paperwork” and “red tape” as early as next autumn.
The Government’s intention is to put the changes to the licencing system “out for public consultation from this autumn”, but “it is not yet clear” whether the revision of the rules will have to go before parliament, the minister explained to journalists.
At a lunch organised by the CFO Club, an initiative by the consultancy firm EY, the minister stated that in several sectors “there will no longer be a requirement to submit a notification” and in others, the submission of a specialist’s report will suffice to obtain a business licence.
“If I want to set up a laundrette, why should I have to apply for a licence for that? What is the point of the public service provided by the State in issuing a licence for that? Or what does the State gain by requiring prior notification?”, he asked by way of example.
“The State must not hinder businesses," added the minister, explaining that inspections should also “only take place in very rare cases”.
Drawing attention to the state of the economy, Castro Almeida noted that in 2025 Portugal reached a record figure of €3.58 billion in contracted foreign investment, making it “the biggest and best year since Autoeuropa” (VW car factory).
He referred to the changes at IAPMEI (the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation), at AICEP (the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade) and at Turismo de Portugal (the tourist board), stating that “as of today, there is not a single case pending at IAPMEI and not a single case at AICEP. And, from tomorrow, there will not be a single case at Turismo de Portugal that is past its deadline. There is a 60-day deadline for assessing applications, and these deadlines will be fully met”.
Manuel Castro Almeida also announced that the next cycle of European funds will be dedicated to investment in the energy transition to reduce dependence on oil and gas.
“The green transition is not just a matter for the minister for the environment. It is a matter for the minister of the economy,” said the minister, explaining that companies need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by investing in renewable energy and “investing in batteries to store solar energy”.
Addressing the chief financial officers (CFOs) present at the event, the minister of the economy also referred to “fiscal predictability” achieved through the four-point reduction in corporation tax by 2028.
“The rule is that if taxes change, it is to reduce them. Even taxes on tobacco and alcoholic drinks – not even those rates have gone up. And I am convinced that we will reach the end of this parliamentary term without raising any tax rates,” he added.
CT/AYLS // AYLS
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