1. All-Time High Number of Portuguese Voters Have Registered for Early Voting
Over 333,000 voters have registered to cast their ballots early by mail, setting a new all-time high for early voting. The registration process, which took place between May 4 and May 8, will allow voters to participate in the upcoming legislative elections one week earlier, on Sunday, May 11. This option gives citizens the chance to vote in any municipality on the mainland or in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.
According to the Ministry of Internal Administration, an exact total of 333,347 registered voters signed up for early voting, marking the highest figure ever recorded since the early voting option was extended to all voters. This increase in participation demonstrates growing enthusiasm for the opportunity to vote ahead of the official election date, which is set for May 18. Voters who registered can cast their ballots earlier and in mobilized voting.
On a side note, citizens planning to vote on May 18 and uncertain about their registered polling station can check their information in three ways: online via www.recenseamento.pt, by sending an SMS (free) to 3838 using a specific format, or directly at the parish council of their residence. These methods exist to ensure that every voter can easily access their polling station details before election day.
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2. Viseu Wants a Train and a Regional Airport
In Viseu, the ambition to transform the municipal airfield into a regional airport is gaining momentum. Mayor Fernando Ruas envisions an infrastructure capable of serving a wider region, arguing that between Lisbon and Porto, there is no airport, and that the current airfield is already at capacity, with executive jets, foreign golf tourists, and a daily flight that is almost always full. With aviation-related companies already operating there, and local aviation and mechanics courses in place, the Mayor insists it is time to give the airfield a new management framework and development status. However, the leap to an airport requires over €100 million, a scale of investment impossible for the municipality or intermunicipal community alone, and must be assumed by the central administration.
For the Mayor, such an airport would not only meet growing tourism demand (with Viseu now boasting four five-star hotels and capable of hosting large congresses) but also serve as a gateway for foreign direct investment. In this regard, he points to examples from Ireland, where airfields were used to stimulate regional development, and argues that the Viseu infrastructure could do the same. However, he makes clear that this would be a regional infrastructure, not a local one, and, as such, would need to be recognized as part of the national airport network.
Alongside air connectivity, Mayor Fernando Ruas places equal strategic weight on railway development, demanding that Viseu be connected to the Atlantic Corridor via elevated-speed, mixed-use rail. As it stands, Viseu is the only EU district capital with more than 40,000 inhabitants and no train. The current National Railway Plan foresees three phases: first linking Viseu to the Beira Alta Line, then to Aveiro, and finally to the Spanish border. The Mayor insists high-speed is unnecessary. In his view, elevated-speed, which is 20 km/h slower, would be enough for the region’s size. With ports like Leixões, Aveiro, and Figueira da Foz waiting, such a corridor would be essential not just for people, but for the flow of goods to central Europe.
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3. Padaria Portuguesa to Expand Into Other Countries While Keeping National Management
The Spanish group Rodilla has acquired Padaria Portuguesa, with plans to expand into other countries while maintaining national management in Portugal. This marks Rodilla’s first international expansion, a process that took the usual time in these cases, driven by shared values of craftsmanship, quality, and customer service. While the group confirmed the brand’s continued expansion, specific details about the countries or number of locations to open have not been revealed, beyond Spain.
Rodilla has assured that the Portuguese management team will remain in place to ensure a smooth transition, and that the transition period will be handled with care, focusing on team management and daily operations. The group also confirmed that the expansion will continue at the same pace, aligning with the previously announced plan, which includes an international expansion strategy. However, the exact details on the scope and number of new bakeries remain undisclosed.
The long-term growth strategy for Padaria Portuguesa includes the goal of reaching 120 locations in the next three years, with a total investment of €16 million. This will generate up to 600 new jobs, growing the workforce to 1,600 employees. The sales goal is an ambitious €80 million, almost doubling the €44 million revenue achieved in 2024. Independently of all the plans, the deal will proceed once the Competition Authority grants its approval, allowing the group to focus on transitioning the business and maintaining its high standards.
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4. Tekever Drone Manufacturer Is the Newest Portuguese Unicorn
The Portuguese drone company, Tekever, has reached unicorn status, achieving a valuation of over 1.2 billion euros after a new funding round. This round, led by investors such as Ventura Capital, Baillie Gifford, and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), solidifies the company as a leader in autonomous AI-driven defense and security. With such a valuation, Tekever now joins the ranks of Portugal’s seventh unicorn, alongside companies like Outsystems, Feedzai, and Talkdesk, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
With a team of 1,000 employees spread across six European countries, Tekever’s expansion continues at an ambitious pace. Ricardo Mendes, the founder, emphasized that the company’s global leadership in defense technology hinges on AI, autonomy, and the ability to innovate at a rapid pace. Additionally, the company’s strong corporate culture, based on empathy, problem-solving, speed, and agility, has been key to its success. Mendes also highlighted that, as Europe faces pressing security challenges that require scalable, fast-paced innovation, the company’s presence in the U.S. market is crucial.
Looking ahead, Tekever plans a £400 million investment in the UK over five years, which will generate 1,000 jobs. This comes after securing a multi-million euro contract with the Royal Airforce (RAF) for drone supply. The company’s growth also extends to Ukraine, where its drones support land and maritime operations. Note that the recent funding round, which follows the 70 million euro investment raised earlier, ensures Tekever’s continued dominance in the DefTech sector and fuels its ambitions for a global presence.
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5. Qatar Group Invests 75 Million Euros to Open International School in Alcântara
Artemis Education, a Qatar-based company, has invested 75 million euros to open the Lisboan International School in Alcântara, Lisbon. The school, housed in the historic A Napolitana pasta factory, is set to open in September 2025, and the project, designed by architect Frederico Valsassina, blends historical heritage with innovative architecture, with a campus spanning over 11,500 m². In terms of curriculum, the school aims to provide 21st-century education through a British program and the gradual implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) by 2027.
The school aims to accommodate up to 1,200 students, but its initial capacity will be for 150 to 300 students. The campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including science and technology labs, art and design rooms, dance and music studios, a 170-seat theater, and sports facilities. Apart from the facilities, the school will offer extracurricular activities like robotics, Mandarin training, volunteering, and sports, encouraging students to explore Lisbon through collaborations with local artists, environmental studies on the Tagus River, and visits to local startups and markets.
Note that the Lisboan International School will begin by enrolling students aged three to 14, gradually expanding to serve those up to 18. Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson, who has led prominent institutions like Dulwich College and UWC Red Cross Nordic, will be the school’s director. When it comes to reputation, Artemis Education already has a presence in Europe and the Middle East, with schools like Northview International School and ACS Doha International School under its belt.
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6. Court Ruling Should Ensure Essential Train Services Until May 14 While Respecting the Right to Strike
The last Arbitration Court’s ruling is supposed to ensure a significant portion of CP’s usual services during the strike, with minimal disruption expected on May 11 and 14 in Lisbon and Porto. Half of the trains scheduled until 8:00 AM Saturday were cancelled due to machinists striking over overtime, primarily affecting long-distance routes. The court set minimum services at 25% for all scheduled trains, which CP welcomed, as it ensures essential mobility while respecting the right to strike.
The decision allows CP to run about 50% of scheduled trains on May 12 and 13, ensuring mobility for passengers. While the machinists’ strike continues through the weekend, its impact is mitigated, with only a 50.3% cancellation of trains during the 12:00 AM-8:00 AM period. This includes the significant reduction in long-distance trains, which saw cancellations of up to 90%. It is relevant to consider that the partial strike by SFRCI, which affects conductors and ticket office workers, was set to begin on Sunday and to also have a limited impact on long-distance services.
In addition, the union’s decision for a 25% minimum service is seen as a fair balance, allowing CP to meet the mobility needs of passengers while maintaining essential transport services. Note that this ruling protects passenger rights and ensures that the railway operates safely while the right to strike is upheld. Strikes will continue until Wednesday, with disruptions expected to be limited to specific services, particularly long-distance routes.
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7. Latest Lisbon Derby Ends in a Draw
In a championship defined by balance and fierce competition, the derby between Benfica and Sporting once again carried monumental weight. As one of the most intense and historic rivalries in Portuguese football, this weekend’s Benfica-Sporting derby represented much more than just a game; it was almost the pinnacle of the season. The 1-1 draw, with Sporting holding a slight advantage in the direct confrontation, set the stage for a thrilling finish.
Historically, these derbies are known for their emotional intensity, often offering the spectacle of beautiful football, but always a contest defined by fierce rivalry, strategic struggle, and collective effort. This particular edition of the derby was no different, as both teams came into it with everything on the line, knowing that whoever won could gain a crucial advantage in the race for the title.
The importance of this game in the wider context of the Portuguese league cannot be overstated. To some extent, it marked the culmination of a season where the two teams have been locked in a relentless race, pushing each other to the brink. With the draw and the title hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on the final match of the season, where this fierce rivalry will finally be settled, delivering a dramatic conclusion to what has already been considered a historic campaign.
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8. Sintra Festival Will Turn the Mountain into a Giant Stage Once Again
The Sintra Festival returns for its 59th edition, transforming the region into a true open-air concert hall from June 12 to 22. Under the artistic direction of Martim Sousa Tavares, the event features performances in iconic locations such as the Peninha Sanctuary, Monserrate Palace, Adega Regional de Colares, Santa Maria Church, and the National Palace of Queluz. The program opens with German pianist Christian Zacharias, known for his interpretations of Schubert, Mozart, and Beethoven, and includes a performance by the prestigious Leipzig Quartet.
Maintaining its connection with nature, the festival presents sunrise concert-hikes, with Bruno Pernadas performing solo and Tiago Nacarato offering an intimate recital at sunset. A piano duel between American Dan Tepfer and Portuguese Daniel Bernardes promises a show of improvisation and musical innovation. Other featured artists include William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, Italian cellist Mario Brunello, clarinetist Martin Fröst, violinist Nicola Benedetti, and Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires, which is returning for the 14th time.
It is relevant to consider that the festival highlights national talent with performances by the Sintra Municipal Orchestra, the Algarve Orchestra, and musicians Irene Lima and Marta Menezes. Other highlights include a French chanson recital by Katia Ledoux, a tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto by the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the show Speak Low followed by a roundtable on exile and otherness in the arts. Moreover, the program also includes the screening of Coda, about Sakamoto, and a documentary on the festival’s history. Tickets are already available, costing between 10 and 50 euros.
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9. Three Days of Jazz Returns to Palácio Baldaya in Benfica This May
Junta-te ao Jazz, now in its 16th edition, returns to Palácio Baldaya with three days of free concerts in the palace gardens. Taking place from May 23 to 25, the festival will bring prominent jazz names to Benfica, creating a space where audiences can enjoy the sounds of the Portuguese jazz scene in an open-air, community-focused setting.
The lineup kicks off on Friday, May 23, with Selma Uamusse taking the stage at 9:00 PM, opening a strong lineup. On Saturday, the music begins at 3:00 PM with Leonor Baldaque, followed by O Mau Olhado, a musical project by João Cardoso, at 5:30 PM. On that night, at 9:00 PM, Carmen Souza will bring her Cape Verdean roots into the language of jazz, continuing the festival’s diverse and rhythm-rich offerings.
On the final day, Sunday, Benfica will hear the voice of Myles Sanko, a British singer whose path from hip-hop and funk led to a successful jazz recording career. His set begins at 4:00 PM. The festival closes with Angolan singer Paulo Flores, adding a powerful and emotional finale to this celebration of jazz music. Note that the festival will be free and that, throughout the three days of the festival, the Soul to Soul project will also be featured.
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10. A New Festival in Lisbon Combines Craft Beer and Climbing
A new craft beer festival is coming to Lisbon, bringing a unique setting and a new energy to the city. Called Ponte & Pints, the event will take place on May 23 and 24, right beneath the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge, at Escala25, near the Pilar 7 Experience. It’s a two-day celebration that blends beer, music, climbing, and community spirit in a distinctive urban space.
The festival will feature 14 local breweries offering tastings of their latest creations. Participating names include Musa, Dois Corvos, Oitava Colina, Rafeira, HopSin, Mean Sardine, and more. To accompany the drinks, there will be street food stalls and a sustainable market, ensuring no one goes hungry. From beer lovers to foodies, the event promises something for everyone.
Beyond the beer and food, Ponte & Pints will offer live performances and music by artists like Neil Fernandes. Additionally, the venue’s distinctive vertical space will also host climbing activities running throughout the festival. In short, the event is supposed to celebrate creativity and the community spirit of the city, turning Escala25 into a lively, multi-sensory experience.
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