“Portugal today submitted the 8th payment request of the PRR to the European Commission, continuing the agreed schedule with Brussels and confirming the good execution pace of the plan,” announced the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion in a statement.
This request includes 22 milestones and targets, alongside 14 others submitted in advance, “totaling 36, which transition from the 9th and 10th payment requests.”
The government believes this advance confirms the ability to execute the PRR, as well as compliance with the agreement with Brussels.
According to the same statement, with this request and following the European Commission’s positive evaluation of the seventh payment request, Portugal remains among the best-performing member states in the PRR.
“The government remains committed to efficient, transparent execution within the defined timelines. The anticipation of milestones and targets demonstrates stability, rigor, and responsible management of European funds,” stated the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, in the same statement.
At the end of last month, Portugal submitted a new PRR review to Brussels to ensure all milestones and targets are met by August 31 of the following year.
In a statement released at the time, the government said the review ensures “all the grants outlined in the PRR will be fulfilled,” that “all PRR grants will be invested,” with some targets increased and “others decreased, ensuring the final value remains the same,” and that “projects intended to be funded with PRR loans that cannot be executed by August 2026, valued at 311 million euros, will be executed using other loans with equivalent interest rates.”
This includes the “Lisbon Metro red line case,” detailed the ministry, after reports that funding for the project could be at risk due to delays.
The government further explained that this review “adjusted deadlines and removed administrative obstacles in proving milestones and targets” and that Brussels “will also accept, under applicable rules, the elimination or mergers of intermediate milestones and targets or those associated with low-value measures.”
The PRR, with an execution period until 2026, aims to implement reforms and investments for economic growth recovery.
Besides targeting damage repair caused by COVID-19, this plan aims to support investments and generate employment.
