Portugal has made progress in adopting measures to prevent corruption among the top executive functions of the central government and the law enforcement agencies, but further action is needed, concludes GRECO in a follow-up report released today.
So far, Portugal has partially implemented 18 out of the 28 recommendations that GRECO issued to the country in its 5th round evaluation report, adopted in 2023, and has yet to implement ten recommendations.
Regarding the top executive functions of the central government, GRECO finds that the authorities have made some progress in several key areas. A significant achievement is that the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism and the Entity for Transparency have become operational. Another positive step is the adoption of the Code of Conduct of the new government, although significant work remains to be done to consolidate all integrity standards and provide practical guidance.
Introductory briefings and training sessions have been organised for members of the new government, and confidential counselling is now available to all individuals with top executive functions, which is an important milestone. The report also welcomes the launch of an electronic platform for submitting declarations.
However, GRECO considers that the authorities should take more determined action to ensure that integrity controls are effectively applied to all persons with top executive functions. It also underscores that neither the new National Anti-Corruption Strategy and its related Action Plan for the period 2025-2028, nor a corruption risk prevention plan specific to persons with executive functions, have been adopted yet.
Additional efforts are required to make the process of accessing information more efficient, to revise the current procedure for public consultations on decree-laws and to regulate lobbying and increase its transparency. GRECO expects the authorities to clarify the rules on gifts further and to ensure the timely publication of information entered in the central register of gifts. The report stresses that asset disclosure and post-employment requirements should be extended to cabinet members, and that all declarations of assets, interests and liabilities of persons with top executive functions be made publicly accessible in practice.
Regarding law enforcement agencies, GRECO notes positively the adoption of the new Code of Conduct of the Public Security Police (PSP) and the ongoing work to finalise the new Code of Conduct of the National Republican Guard (GNR). Both codes still need to be complemented by practical guidance. GRECO also welcomes that both the GNR and the PSP now have internal whistleblowing reporting channels.
Nevertheless, the report highlights the need to improve gender balance, establish a confidential counselling mechanism and a system of regular vetting. Other pending issues include revising the disciplinary regime and the procedures for appointing and promoting individuals to senior positions, implementing conflict of interest safeguards, and enhancing the transparency of donations and sponsorship.
Finally, the report notes that both agencies still need to develop dedicated anti-corruption strategies and that the staffing of the Inspectorate General for Internal Affairs (IGAI) should be increased.
GRECO invites the Portuguese authorities to report on the progress achieved in implementing its recommendations by 30 September 2026.
*unofficial translation, as provided by the authorities of Portugal
