Lisbon, June 30, 2025 (Lusa) - The minister of economy said on Monday that the European Commission’s “positive assessment,” with preliminary approval of Portugal’s sixth payment request, reinforces the government’s commitment to the efficient implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
"We continue to meet the deadlines set and achieve the objectives, intervening in areas that are fundamental and structural for the economy and the country," Manuel Castro Almeida said in a statement.
The European Commission gave a preliminary favourable opinion on Portugal’s sixth payment request under the NextGenerationEU programme, worth €1.34 billion.
According to the Government, of this amount, €851 million relates to grants and €485 million to loans.
The ministry headed by Castro Almeida also detailed that the sixth payment request includes achievements relating to seven reforms and 22 investments in areas such as health, social responses, capitalisation and business innovation, energy efficiency, hydrogen and renewables, quality and sustainability of public finances, economic justice and the business environment, public administration efficiency, and educational and pedagogical innovation.
The Commission approved the request, submitted on 14 November 2024, following the successful completion of 32 milestones and targets outlined in the PRR.
The Commission sent the preliminary assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee, which has four weeks to issue its opinion. After this period, the Commission adopts the final decision and can proceed with the payment.
In total, the Portuguese recovery plan receives financing of €22.2 billion in grants and loans, aimed at boosting sustainable growth and strengthening public services in the country.
"Portugal has taken another decisive step in the implementation of the RRP with the recent submission of the 7th payment request, continuing to comply with the timetable defined and agreed with Brussels," the government stressed in the same statement, adding that with the 7th payment request, the RRP implementation rate increases to 47%.
MPE (IG) // JNM
Lusa/Fim
