Portugal allocates €80 million for storm‑damaged road repairs

The Portuguese government has authorized Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) to spend up to €79.7 million, plus VAT, on road repairs in six districts (Leiria, Santarém, Aveiro, Lisbon, Coimbra and Castelo Branco) until 2028. The funding targets degraded pavement, unstable slopes and damaged drainage caused by the January‑February storms that killed 19 people, injured hundreds and left more than a million residents without electricity. The storms affected over 35,000 homes and generated estimated losses exceeding €5.3 billion.

Municipalities in the affected areas can also apply, from 1 August to 30 November, for the Emergency Municipal Fund (FEM), which will cover up to 60 % of eligible reconstruction costs for public infrastructure and equipment. The state contribution cannot exceed 60 % of total eligible costs, while the remaining 40 % may be financed through a credit line being prepared with the European Investment Bank. An advance of €75 million has already been provided to 84 municipalities to speed up urgent repairs of roads, schools and other public assets.