IP3 highway tolls proposed by Portuguese government

Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, has reaffirmed the government's intention to implement tolls on the IP3 highway once duplication works are completed. The project aims to transform the route into a highway connecting Viseu and Coimbra. The Minister defended the 'user-pays' principle, noting that eliminating tolls on such roads costs taxpayers over 300 million euros annually.

The proposal has met significant political opposition. Deputies from the Socialist Party (PS) in Viseu have questioned the impact on daily commuters, students, and logistics companies, warning of increased mobility and operational costs for those without alternative routes.

Additionally, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has demanded that the IP3 be requalified and duplicated without the introduction of tolls. The PCP argues that the current government stance contradicts the 2026 State Budget, which they claim includes provisions to ensure the road remains toll-free, and maintains that tolls would unfairly burden local populations and businesses.