Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, in a written answer on 25 June 2026, told the European Parliament that the Commission cannot step in to fix delays in Portugal's recovery and resilience plan (RRP) housing investments caused by national managing authorities, placing full responsibility on the Member State. The answer, responding to a question from Left MEP Catarina Martins, affects Portuguese homeowners, tenants, contractors, and national authorities, who face unfinished works and potential loss of EU funds.
Martins had asked the Commission on 13 April 2026 whether it was aware of failures by Portugal's Institute for Housing and Urban Regeneration to reimburse contractors in Porto, leading to abandoned works and leaving owners and tenants in a worse position. Fitto's reply confirmed that under the RRF Regulation, payments are based solely on fulfilment of milestones and targets, and it is for Member States to organise delivery. He noted that all milestones and targets must be met by 31 August 2026, with no possibility for later actions to be considered.
The Commissioner outlined that in June 2025, the Commission invited Member States to review and simplify their RRPs to meet the deadline. Portugal submitted a revision request on 31 March 2026, which the Commission assessed on 18 May 2026 and is now under Council review. Fitto stressed that primary responsibility for compliance with EU and national law lies with the Member State, and the Commission's control system monitors implementation but does not replace national management.
The answer provides no concrete new measures to address the specific Porto case, instead reiterating existing rules and deadlines. It signals a firm stance that the Commission will not intervene in national administrative failures, potentially discouraging private sector involvement in public regeneration schemes. Institutional follow-up is limited to the ongoing Council review of Portugal's RRP revision, with no indication of further Commission action on the reported delays.