Portugal Rejects New Highway Toll Exemptions

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 29, Portuguese Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz stated that the government opposes further expanding highway toll exemptions and advocates restoring a policy consensus around the "user pays" principle. The remarks were made as discussions on the 2027 national budget approach and multiple new toll exemption proposals have once again emerged in parliament.

Pinto Luz stated that the recent elimination of certain highway tolls has put pressure on public finances, with the government estimating that the related exemptions have an annual budgetary impact of approximately 400 million euros. He also disclosed that Portugal is currently advancing road investments of approximately 5 billion euros, and the government believes the existing toll mechanism remains one of the important funding sources supporting road infrastructure investment.

Portugal's Mobility and Transport Authority published a study that day on the future financing of the road network, proposing to further strengthen the "user pays" and "polluter pays" principles. As multiple road concession contracts expire in the coming years, the government is studying new road financing models and plans to discuss follow-up arrangements with parliamentary parties.

Meanwhile, Portugal's road concession system has also entered a renegotiation phase. Brisa Concessões Rodoviárias' existing concession contract will expire in 2035, and the negotiating committee established by the government is handling matters including future road connections to the new Lisbon airport, additional road projects, toll classification, and certain toll reductions. The government aims to complete the relevant negotiations by the end of 2026.