Portugal launches emergency fund for storm‑damaged municipalities

The Portuguese government opened applications for the Municipal Emergency Fund (FEM) to cover up to 60% of repair, reconstruction and replacement costs for public infrastructure damaged by the January‑February storms. Applications, open until 30 November, are available to municipalities, parishes and inter‑municipal entities in declared calamity zones. An advance of €75 million has already been paid to 84 municipalities, and a credit line with the European Investment Bank will finance the remaining 40% of losses.

Six months after the storms, at least 25 people remain displaced in six municipalities of the Leiria and Lisbon districts. Local authorities have processed thousands of housing‑aid applications, with 99% of requests in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo decided and €25.4 million paid, while the Centre region has received over €47 million.

Road damage persists: several national roads in Leiria and Lisbon remain closed, and Infraestruturas de Portugal plans works to reopen them between August and September, citing impacts on agriculture and local mobility.