“Priority will be given to strengthening the tactical and operational resources of the Polícia Judiciária, with the acquisition of ten specialized tactical equipment, 100 operational vehicles, and 300 units of weaponry and ammunition. (…) A strategic investment is made in state-of-the-art technological solutions, highlighting artificial intelligence, enhancing data processing and predictive analysis capabilities,” according to the OE2026 report, submitted to parliament today.
The Ministry of Justice’s budget further outlines the acquisition of servers and storage equipment, the implementation of innovative cybersecurity solutions “to mitigate or neutralize cyber threat risks,” and the modernization of the PJ’s forensic laboratory activities, “notably through the acquisition and implementation of innovative digital decryption solutions,” aiming to “increase the effectiveness of digital evidence collection and analysis in a criminal context.”
For criminal investigations not involving terrorism, corruption, or money laundering cases, the Government aims to have 90% of cases concluded “within legal deadlines and with appropriate procedural quality.”
In transnational cooperation, the Government plans to sign 10 new bilateral or multilateral agreements in counterterrorism and cybersecurity by 2026, though the specific parties to these agreements are not disclosed.
The Ministry of Justice also aims for a 30% increase in the number of detected and neutralized terrorist threats, without providing absolute numbers.
In the area of cybersecurity, where the aim is to “strengthen the protection of critical national infrastructures,” a similar goal is set: “A target is established for a 40% increase in the number of cybersecurity incidents reported and addressed in critical infrastructures, compared to the previous year.”
There is also an emphasis on a cross-sectional enhancement of digitalization, impacting procedural speed, particularly through electronic case processing, as well as in citizens’ interactions with the justice system, with enhanced digital means for court proceedings or accessing criminal records.
The Government submitted the OE2026 to parliament today, just before the deadline and three days ahead of Sunday’s local elections.
In the macroeconomic scenario, the PSD/CDS-PP Government forecasts GDP growth of 2% this year and 2.3% in 2026.
The executive aims for surpluses of 0.3% of GDP this year and 0.1% next year. Regarding the debt ratio, it is estimated to decrease to 90.2% of GDP in 2025 and 87.8% in 2026.
The proposal will be discussed and voted on in general terms between October 27 and 28. The final overall vote is scheduled for November 27, following the detailed debate process.
