EU urges Portugal to expand affordable housing, health care and pension reforms

The European Union Council of Finance Ministers recommended that Portugal increase the supply of affordable and social housing, improve access to health services and address staffing shortages, and ensure the medium‑term fiscal sustainability of its pension system. The recommendations also call for the promotion of complementary pension schemes, greater tax efficiency, better access to venture capital and private funds, higher financial literacy, and continued investment in research and innovation.

Further, the Council urges Portugal to maintain the implementation of cohesion‑policy programmes, accelerate decarbonisation of transport, strengthen electricity distribution and water management, and keep energy‑price relief measures temporary, targeted at vulnerable households and high‑energy‑consumption businesses while preserving energy‑saving incentives and staying within EU fiscal rules.