Portugal Aims to Become Net EU Contributor, Ending Reliance on Funds
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced that Portugal is preparing to cease its reliance on European Union funds in the next long-term budget cycle, aiming instead to become a net contributor to the bloc. Speaking at a conference in Lisbon, Montenegro emphasized that the country is mobilizing to present credible and ambitious projects selected on merit rather than seeking aid. He highlighted that the upcoming EU budget cycle will feature a more competitive funding system focused on global scalability. Historically, Portugal has received approximately €180 billion in EU funds since joining in 1986, while contributing around €50 billion. Despite this shift, Montenegro affirmed support for EU cohesion policy, warning that weakening support for less developed economies would harm the entire bloc. This strategic pivot coincides with positive domestic economic indicators, as the government forecasts a balanced budget for the current year, following a 0.3% GDP surplus in 2025, marking four consecutive years of fiscal stability.
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