Portugal's high‑speed rail projects face compensation talks and certification delays

A public briefing on July 6 confirmed the route of the Porto‑Oiã high‑speed line through the Loureiro area of Oliveira de Azeméis. Officials from AVAN Norte outlined that the line will occupy about 800 metres in the municipality, including a maintenance centre and an electric‑traction substation. The exact compensation for landowners, including two families living close to the track, will be calculated individually by official assessors, and the process remains ongoing.

Separately, members of the Livre parliamentary group raised questions in the Portuguese Assembly about the certification and entry‑into‑service schedule for the new Évora–Spain high‑speed corridor. Although construction was completed in January 2026 at a cost of roughly €460 million, Infraestruturas de Portugal has not yet submitted the line for approval by the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT). The delay could postpone commercial operation until the end of 2026 or early 2027, prompting concerns over public‑investment management and the impact on the International South Corridor.

Both developments highlight the challenges Portugal faces in finalising its high‑speed rail network, from local compensation issues to national certification procedures.