“The European Commission has issued a positive preliminary assessment regarding Portugal’s 7th Payment Request of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), verifying the complete fulfillment of all 27 milestones and targets included in this request and acknowledging the consistent and solid progress of the Portuguese plan,” states the Ministry of Economy in a press release.
This outcome, the ministry explains, “results in a new disbursement of 1.064 billion euros net, raising the overall execution rate of the PRR to 47%.”
“The positive assessment by the European Commission is yet another display of trust in national institutions and the country’s ability to realize the largest public investment program in recent decades,” the release further states.
According to the government, the “7th Payment Request signifies substantial advances in strategic areas for the country’s development — from health and housing to business innovation, encompassing energy transition, public administration modernization, equal opportunities, and education digitalization.”
“These investments represent real improvements in people’s quality of life, promoting qualified employment, territorial cohesion, and economic competitiveness,” the statement continues.
Quoted in the press release, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, notes that “this positive assessment is a clear signal that Portugal is turning ambition into achievement. It demonstrates that the country is fulfilling its commitments with responsibility and efficiency.”
For Castro Almeida, “each milestone and goal achieved translates into investment, employment, and new opportunities for people and businesses, resulting in a better context.” The minister further emphasizes that “the trust of the European Commission is proof that we are executing well and with determination. The government will continue focused on accelerating the PRR, enhancing the economic and social cohesion across the entire territory.”
PRR: An additional 29 million paid to beneficiaries last week
The Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) paid an additional 29 million euros to beneficiaries last week, with the total now reaching 9.240 billion euros, according to the latest data.
The most recent monitoring report, with data up to Wednesday, shows that total payments now correspond to 42% of the allocation and contracted value and 40% of the approved amount.
With the largest amounts received are companies (3.292 billion euros), public entities (1.924 billion euros), and municipalities and metropolitan areas (1.304 billion euros).
Following are public companies (937 million euros), schools (607 million euros), higher education institutions (353 million euros), social economy and solidarity institutions (322 million euros), families (269 million euros), and, lastly, scientific and technological system institutions (232 million euros).
Meanwhile, project approvals totaled 22.829 billion euros, slightly below the 22.937 billion euros reported the previous week.
This amount corresponds to 103% of the allocation and contracted value.
Highlights in project approvals include companies (6.384 billion euros), public entities (5.268 billion euros), and municipalities and metropolitan areas (4.439 billion euros).
Also prominent in project approvals are public companies (3.042 billion euros) and schools (1.038 billion euros).
Next are higher education institutions (844 million euros), social economy and solidarity institutions (823 million euros), scientific and technological system institutions (660 million euros), and, finally, families (330 million euros).
By Wednesday, the PRR had received 403,996 applications, with 341,843 analyzed.
The approved applications now stand at 262,987, an increase of 7,185.
The PRR, with an execution period until 2026, aims to implement a series of reforms and investments focused on recovering economic growth.
Besides aiming to repair damages caused by COVID-19, this plan intends to support investments and create jobs.
[News updated at 11:20]
