A Commission Staff Working Document published on 23 July 2026 assesses Portugal's implementation of the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) for the 2020-2023 period, finding that groundwater nitrate pollution is worsening and surface water eutrophication is rising, while the national action programme has not been updated since 2012. The report recommends that Portugal review and reinforce its measures, update the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ), and improve cross-sectoral cooperation.
The document, prepared by the European Commission, evaluates agricultural pressures including land use, livestock density, and nitrogen balances. It notes that the groundwater monitoring network density is 4.5 stations per 1000 km², and 21.7% of monitoring points exceed the 50 mg/l nitrate limit, up from 17.5% in the previous period. Increasing trends are observed in 35% of points. For surface water, no points exceed 50 mg/l nitrate, but 65.6% of points are eutrophic or at risk of eutrophication, an increase of 8.4 percentage points from 57.3%. Eutrophication hotspots are concentrated in Setúbal, Alentejo, and Norte regions.
The report highlights that current NVZ cover only 5.9% of the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA), yet 8% of groundwater hotspots and 81.4% of eutrophic surface water points lie outside designated zones, indicating a need for revision. The Nitrates Action Programme has not been modified during the reporting period, and compliance controls show inspection rates varying from 0% to 40%, with non-compliance issues in fertiliser application reaching up to 25% in some zones.
Groundwater modelling suggests that only 3 out of 9 NVZ may recover nitrate levels below 50 mg/l by 2040, underscoring the long-term challenge. The report recommends that Portugal review and reinforce measures in the action programme, update NVZ designation to cover pollution hotspots, cooperate across sectors, and promote best practices to address climate change and agricultural pressures.
Portuguese farmers face potential stricter fertiliser regulations and expanded NVZ designations, which could increase compliance costs but improve water quality. National authorities will need to invest in monitoring and enforcement. Environmental groups may welcome stronger action, while agricultural industry groups may push for gradual implementation. EU taxpayers fund agricultural subsidies that could be tied to environmental compliance.
Portugal is expected to submit a revised action programme and NVZ designation to the Commission. The Commission may initiate infringement proceedings if progress is insufficient.