The Top 10 News Stories in Portugal – March 31-April 6, 2025

Written By Manuel Poças

1. Three in Ten Portuguese Jobs at Risk of Collapse Due to Technology

A recent study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation (FFMS) reveals that nearly 30% of Portuguese workers are in professions highly threatened by automation, with limited potential to benefit from artificial intelligence (AI). These collapsing professions include jobs in sales, waitstaff, and machine operators in textile manufacturing, which are at risk of extinction due to technological disruption. Workers in these roles often have low qualifications and lower wages, making them more vulnerable to unemployment or precarious employment. The study calls for retraining and active policies to mitigate the negative impacts of technological change.

On the other hand, the study highlights that 22.5% of Portuguese jobs are in “rising professions,” which should benefit from the transformative effects of AI while being protected from automation. These roles, including software developers, accountants, and doctors, are positioned to drive economic growth by embracing new technologies. However, the study points out that fewer than a quarter of the workforce is in these roles, and there is a need for greater focus on interpersonal and analytical skills in training programs, as digital expertise alone will not suffice to navigate the changing job market.

Note that the FFMS study also discusses the varying exposure to digital transformation across regions in Portugal. For example, Lisbon has nearly a third of its employment in rising professions, while inland districts tend to have higher concentrations of jobs in the human terrain, where jobs are less exposed to both destructive and transformative effects of technology. The study recommends that policies be tailored to local economies and that efforts be made to establish technology hubs in vulnerable regions to foster job creation in emerging sectors.

Read more from our source here.

2. ‘Portuguese ChatGPT’, Amália, Will Only Be Available to the Public by the End of June 2026

The Portuguese ChatGPT, named Amália, which is part of the broader National Artificial Intelligence Agenda and linked to Portugal’s technological advancements, will only be accessible to the general public by the end of June 2026, according to official sources from the Ministry of Youth and Modernization and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation. Currently, the beta version is only available to the research centers involved in its development. The completion of the beta phase had initially been expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025 but has been delayed. 

Amália’s development is led by a consortium of research centers, including Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Telecomunicações, and Instituto Superior Técnico, with additional contributions from universities such as Coimbra, Porto, and Minho. The project is funded with 5.5 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and is set to span 18 months. The final multimodal version, capable of processing text, images, and videos, is expected to be available at the end of the first semester of 2026.

Once completed, Amália will be made available as an open-source, free model for both civil society and the Public Administration. It will support applications like educational tutors and virtual assistants, and the government wants it to play a crucial role in developing generative AI applications that can benefit the public sector, academia, companies, and citizens.

Read more from our source here.

3. Despite the Uncertainty, the Algarve Wants to Attract More Tourists from the United States

The Tourism of Algarve department launched a charm campaign in the U.S., specifically in Boston and New York, from March 25 to 27, 2025. Despite the current international context and uncertainties surrounding U.S. economic policies, the president of Tourism of the Algarve, André Gomes, remains optimistic about the growth potential of the U.S. market. According to a recent study from the United States Tour Operators Association, Portugal is the second most desired country for U.S. tourists to visit in 2025.

The Algarve, specifically, is attracting American visitors due to its beaches, golf courses, and nature tourism, with a focus on providing authentic and exclusive experiences. As per the more recent numbers, the U.S. is already the seventh-largest foreign market for the region, with over 500,000 overnight stays in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. As such, the expansion of direct and indirect flight connections between the U.S. and Algarve is seen as a key opportunity to capitalize on this growing interest.

The events in Boston and New York, which were organized in partnership with SATA Azores Airlines and United Airlines, aimed to strengthen business relations and boost tourism in the region. The first event promoted routes connecting Boston and New York to Faro, while the second highlighted direct flights from United Airlines to both Faro and Funchal. Apart from that, Tourism of Algarve also participated in the SMU International event in New York.

Read more from our source here.

4. Chef’s Table Event Promotes Four Intimate Experiences with Michelin Stars in the Algarve

The fourth edition of Chef’s Table will offer four Michelin-starred gastronomic experiences at the MIMO restaurant in Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve. Chefs Rodrigo Castelo, Ricardo Costa, Vasco Coelho Santos, and Rui Paula will showcase their culinary talents from April to May, offering unique, Michelin-worthy menus based on diverse culinary philosophies. With only 21 spots per night, each dinner includes a welcome cocktail, a six-course menu created by the guest chef, and wine pairings, priced at 195 euros per person.

Rodrigo Castelo, from Ó Balcão in Santarém, will present a zero-waste menu on April 11, while Ricardo Costa, who holds two Michelin Stars at The Yeatman in Porto, will blend traditional recipes with contemporary twists on April 25. On May 9, Vasco Coelho Santos of Euskalduna in Porto will turn fine dining into an experience that engages all five senses. The series will conclude with Rui Paula, who brings two Michelin Stars to Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, on May 23, offering creations that reflect the rich flavors and textures of his origins.

For those unable to attend the intimate dinners, each guest chef will present a signature dish at the O Pescador restaurant the following day. Note that, according to Arturo Pinto de la Sotta, Director of Food & Beverage at Pine Cliffs, the Chef’s Table event series aims to promote the best of national cuisine, combining tradition with creativity and technique through the hands of Portugal’s most esteemed chefs.

Read more from our source here.

5. Legislative Elections: The Portuguese Prefer Stability, No Matter Who Wins

The majority of Portuguese voters believe that the AD (Aliança Democrática) and the PS (Socialist Party) should facilitate each other’s government in case they lose the legislative elections, with one exception: Chega must be excluded from the equation. In the event of an AD victory, 77% support the PS helping Luís Montenegro to govern without Chega’s support, while 61% would back the PSD allowing Pedro Nuno Santos to lead a PS government if they win without an absolute majority. This reflects the broader consensus that stability should be prioritized over party lines.

This desire for stability transcends demographics, with both men and women, across all age groups and social classes, supporting the idea of one party helping another form a government. In particular, older voters and those with higher incomes are particularly in favor of the PS enabling an AD government without Chega. Similarly, many believe the AD should reject any scenario where Chega’s President, André Ventura, becomes prime minister, with the majority (60%) opposing the idea, especially left-wing voters and women.

However, it is important to note that Luís Montenegro’s leadership divides the electorate. While a significant portion (45%) believes the PSD should continue with Montenegro as prime minister if the AD wins, 49% favor presenting a new candidate. Young voters, middle-class individuals, and those supporting left-wing parties like CDU and Livre are particularly inclined to call for a new leader. On the contrary, those in the North, older men, and higher-income groups are more likely to back Montenegro continuing as the leader of the PSD.

Read more from our source here.

6. Portuguese President of the Republic Regrets That Culture is Still Considered the “Poor Relative” in Society

After visiting the Casa-Museu de Vilar in Lousada, dedicated to animated cinema, the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, lamented that culture continues to be seen as a “poor relative” in Portuguese society, predicting that it will not be a priority in the upcoming election campaign. He emphasized that this sector, despite its importance, has yet to receive the recognition it deserves, particularly from the government.

The President acknowledged that municipalities have been stepping in to support such cultural projects, acting as benefactors for new and historically rooted cultural endeavors. While government attention is lacking, he suggested that future administrations should recognize the value of these initiatives. However, he noted that the shift in museum locations to smaller towns and regions outside urban areas has been slow to gain political traction.

The President made sure to point out that, according to current polling, political priorities remain focused on economic measures, international issues, and social concerns, leaving culture and education sidelined. Despite this reality, he noted Portugal’s nomination for an Academy Award for the animated short “Ice Merchants” as a sign of recognition for the sector’s global importance.

Read more from our source here.

7. Number of Patients Without a Family Doctor in Portugal Rose by 28,500 in March

The number of people without a family doctor rose to 1,593,802 by the end of March 2025, an increase of nearly 30,000 from the previous month. This marks a significant rise after a reduction in numbers between August and December 2024. Despite a decrease in the number of uninsured patients in previous months, the first three months of 2025 saw a sharp increase, with 28,547 additional people left without a family doctor.

In response to this growing issue, the government has made efforts to address the shortage of family doctors. Notably, there have been 160,042 new registrations in primary health care, and 161,121 people were assigned a family doctor between April 2024 and January 2025. Furthermore, to alleviate pressure, new Family Health Units (USF-C) managed by social and private sectors are being opened, particularly in regions like Lisbon and the Algarve, although some targets, such as starting operations by the end of 2024, have not been met.

Note that, as part of a broader strategy, the government has also relied on hiring retired doctors. By the end of 2024, over 700 retired doctors were working in the National Health Service (SNS), with more expected to join the workforce. This policy, which began in 2010, has been extended to meet the demands of an aging medical workforce, with plans to hire up to 1,070 retired doctors in 2025. Although somewhat unconventional, this measure aims to mitigate the impact of the ongoing shortage, particularly in the specialty of general and family medicine.

Read more from our source here.

8. Alentejo to Receive Over 20 Million Euros for Technology and Innovation Investment

The Alentejo region will receive a total investment exceeding 20 million euros, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for the advancement of 12 key projects that will be funded under the “Technological Infrastructures and Equipment” call. Note that these projects aim to “strengthen the region’s technological and scientific infrastructures” to promote strategic sectors like “innovation, research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, agro-food, and heritage.”

Among the supported projects, highlights include ‘GenTec Equinos – Technological Laboratory for Native and Exotic Horse Breeds,’ with an eligible investment of 214,435.81 euros; ‘VisionNext – Expansion of the Vision Supercomputer,’ with an eligible investment of 487,552.00 euros; and the ‘São Teotónio Business Incubator,’ with an eligible investment of 2,352,047.20 euros.

Read more from our source here.

9. In June, This Festival Will Get You Dancing in the Middle of the Tejo River

The Suncébeat New Horizons Festival returns to Costa da Caparica from June 19 to 23, bringing soulful and house music to the stage. While the Praia Irmão club and restaurant will serve as the festival’s base, the highlight will be the seven boat parties aboard the São Jorge and Príncipe do Tejo boats. 

The festival’s opening party on June 19 promises a unique river cruise with two dancefloors aboard the São Jorge, followed by additional boat parties on June 20-22. The Príncipe do Tejo boat will depart twice a day, with sets from top DJs like DJ Spen, Terry Hunter, and Rahaan. Note that the boat parties are exclusive to those with a daily ticket or festival pass. Daily tickets will cost 48€ and the pass 249€. Both will go on sale on May 1st.

On land, two stages at Praia do Irmão will host music from 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM during the festival. The after parties, which will take place at Praia da Sereia, will last until 6:00 AM, except for the final after party, which will be on June 23, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Read more from our source here.

10. Saturday Night Fever? Gulbenkian Modern Art Center Becomes Free for Young People

The Gulbenkian Modern Art Center (CAM) is now offering free entry on Saturdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for those under 30, with the first event taking place on April 5. This new initiative, part of the “Saturday Nights at CAM” program, aims to engage younger audiences with dynamic cultural offerings. The opening event featured DJ Marfox, who brought the vibrant sounds of Lisbon’s suburban music scene, blending Batida genres like kuduro and house with Afro-Portuguese dance rhythms.

Entry to the events is free but limited, with tickets available two hours before the event for Gulbenkian Cardholders. Prior to his performance, Marfox joined Cláudia Semedo and Mikas for a discussion on the role of art in advocating for diversity and the importance of community spaces, linked to the “Rememória do Tempo” exhibition by Julianknxx. The talk was also free, adding an intellectual layer to the evening’s festivities.

Note that the “Saturday Nights at CAM” program will continue through June, aligning with the center’s ongoing exhibitions. As Ana Botella, Deputy Director of CAM, noted, this initiative fills a gap for young people seeking late-night cultural events. Upcoming events include a documentary screening on April 12 and a performance by Tristany Mundu on April 19, ensuring that CAM becomes a cultural destination for Saturday nights.

Read more from our source here.

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