Lisbon, July 28, 2026 (Lusa) - The economy minister said on Tuesday in Lisbon that every euro from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) will be invested, and the funds will remain in Portugal unless an unforeseen event occurs by the end of August.

«We are in the final stretch and, provided everything proceeds smoothly […], we will reach the deadline with all milestones and targets met – that is, 100% of the planned investments and reforms,» he said at the «LOADING – 10th RRP Payment Request» conference in Lisbon.

While noting that, as of today, not all the milestones and targets agreed with the European Commission have been met, he said he expected them to be met by 31 August.

«Every euro will be invested. Every euro will remain in Portugal,» he insisted.

The minister also addressed those who claim that certain buildings, such as healthcare facilities, have yet to be built, explaining that the Government has contracted for more facilities – in other words, it has ‘overbooked'. This means that these are not subject to the requirement to be completed by the end of August.

Castro Almeida also argued that the various negotiations regarding the national ‘bazooka' were carried out at the ‘right time' to ensure its full implementation.

For the minister, the submission of the 10th payment request to Brussels, which will take place «shortly», demonstrates that the PRR is taking root.

«This is not a matter of accounting to Brussels, but to the Portuguese people,» he said, emphasising that Portugal must build the future with ambition.

The minister also said that «great nations are not made solely by the natural resources they possess, but by the ambition and courage of their citizens», adding that Portugal has every reason to believe in itself.

In his speech, Castro Almeida also pointed out that a country's institutional profile is consolidated at times when reality demands a planned and vigorous response from its structures.

He noted that each political generation takes on the management of «a legacy it did not choose», but which it has a duty and responsibility to pass on to the next generation.

«No government, macroeconomic programme or legislative cycle is limited to the present. We are temporary stewards of an asset that belongs to the country's future,» he said.

The PRR aims to implement a series of reforms and investments to restore economic growth.

As well as seeking to repair the damage caused by Covid-19, this plan is designed to support investment and create jobs.

PE/ADB // ADB.

Lusa