The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Portugal, published on 17 July 2026, finds no progress on justice efficiency, mixed progress on anti-corruption and media, and some steps on transparency, while issuing four new recommendations. The report, a staff working document accompanying the annual Rule of Law Communication, assesses developments since the previous cycle and identifies persistent challenges in judicial efficiency, digitalisation, and anti-corruption implementation.
The Commission notes that the High Council for the Judiciary adopted a Code of Conduct for its members to safeguard impartiality and independence, but no legislative changes followed. Parliament appointed new Constitutional Court judges after delays since September 2025 that constrained the Court's work. Case allocation system changes entered force in October 2025, simplifying the process. However, serious shortages of judicial clerks persist, with 1,669 vacancies at first instance. Court and prosecution premises show worsening conditions and security risks, causing hearing adjournments. Online access to judgments remains among the lowest in the EU, and a new case management system faces logistical problems. First instance Administrative and Tax Courts' disposition time reached 861 days in 2024, with a clearance rate of 48%; second instance needs 1,045 days, the highest in the EU.
On anti-corruption, a new Anti-Corruption Strategy is under development, but the 2020-2024 Strategy remains unevaluated. A lobbying law was adopted, but a lobbying registry still needs to be set up. A new Ombudsperson was appointed in July 2026 after delays. The Commission recommends stepping up justice efficiency, including court infrastructure; improving digitalisation of justice; creating and operationalising the public lobbying registry; and improving transparency of law-making at Government level.
The report impacts several stakeholders. Portuguese citizens face slow justice and limited access to judgments, undermining trust. Judicial staff, including judges and prosecutors, contend with worsening working conditions and security risks. The government is under pressure to implement reforms and address the Commission's recommendations. EU institutions, through the annual Rule of Law cycle, monitor progress and may escalate if recommendations are not addressed. The Commission's findings will feed into the broader EU Rule of Law dialogue, with the Council and European Parliament expected to discuss the country-specific chapters in autumn 2026.