AGP Executive Report

Housing and Rights: Portugal’s government says it will not yield to street protests after a police operation against housing demonstrators in Porto reportedly injured 37 people. Education: Prosecutors are investigating allegations of mistreatment at a Lisbon school, including claims children were force-fed; the school director denies wrongdoing. Portuguese Journalism: Joaquim Letria, a leading journalist, writer and broadcaster who founded O Jornal and Tal & Qual, has died aged 82. Art and Culture: A new memoir explores Paula Rego’s life and creative partnership with poet Anthony Rudolf, her male model and companion. Travel: Alentejo’s cliffside town of Zambujeira do Mar made a list of Europe’s underrated destinations, praised as a quieter coastal escape. Made in Portugal: Indian electric brand VIDA unveiled a limited-edition youth off-roader in Grândola during the International Six Days Enduro.

Housing & Community: Thirty-seven people were injured in a police operation involving housing protesters in Porto, bringing Portugal’s housing pressures into sharp focus. Faro Traditions: The centuries-old Santa Iria Fair returned to Faro, keeping a longstanding local gathering alive. Portuguese Art Abroad: Joana Vasconcelos’ work features in a Manhattan apartment curated by former US ambassador to Portugal Randi Charno Levine. Arts & Style: ModaLisboa put creative diversity, sustainability and identity at the centre of Lisbon Fashion Week. Culture & Travel: Portugal’s National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen in November, while Peniche is drawing the world’s surfing elite.

Moving to Portugal: A new free website offers step-by-step guides to essentials such as NIF and NISS numbers, residence permits and tax returns. From November 16, members can also pay €15 a month to get help from expats who have completed the same process. Algarve Community: A fundraiser for the families of three Romanian workers who died in an accident in Almancil has raised nearly €56,000 for funeral costs and ongoing support. Lisbon Culture: The National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on November 21, bringing its collection back to visitors. Travel: Royal Caribbean’s expanded 2028–29 Europe season includes year-round sailings from Lisbon, with routes across the Mediterranean and Canary Islands. Fashion and Sport: ModaLisboa put creative diversity, sustainability and identity at the heart of Lisbon Fashion Week, while elite surfers are heading to Peniche as Portugal strengthens its reputation as a global surfing hub.

Museum Reopening: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art will welcome visitors back from November 21, after more than a year of renovations. The opening weekend includes exhibitions, tours, workshops and concerts, with free admission through December 1. Fashion & Design: ModaLisboa put creative diversity, sustainability and identity at the heart of Lisbon Fashion Week. Family Life: Portugal’s parliament backed an extension of parental leave; proposed 2027 budget measures on housing, tuition and taxes are also set to affect household finances. Travel & Coast: Peniche is drawing surfing’s elite as Portugal takes centre stage in the sport. Royal Caribbean has also added Lisbon to its first year-round European cruise season for 2028–29. Air Travel: Lufthansa has been selected as the preferred investor in TAP, a step toward a partial privatisation that still needs regulatory approval.

Surfing: Portugal is being hailed as a world surfing hub, with Peniche’s MEO Rip Curl Pro starting October 16 and a record five Portuguese surfers competing. Fashion: ModaLisboa wrapped up in Lisbon with collections exploring Portuguese heritage, sustainability and new creative voices. Household Budgets: The proposed 2027 state budget would update income-tax brackets and raise the minimum wage, while higher education fees are set to rise; housing and living costs have also fuelled protests. Women’s Football: Portugal beat Northern Ireland 3–1 in the World Cup play-off second leg, finishing 7–1 ahead on aggregate and moving within reach of the 2027 tournament. Culture: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art is due to reopen on November 21.

World Cup 2030: Netflix will stream all 104 matches in Spain and Andorra, with some games also free to air in Spain. Portugal is a co-host, but the deal does not cover Portuguese broadcast rights. Wine in Lisbon: The world’s best sommelier contest has returned to Lisbon for the first time since 1978, bringing 66 competitors to a week of tastings and Portuguese wine events. Women’s Football: Portugal beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in Portimão to reach the final playoff for the 2027 World Cup; Iceland stands between the team and qualification. LGBTQ+ Rights: A Polish court ruling paves the way for a gay couple’s 2017 marriage in Portugal to be entered in Poland’s civil registry, after nine years of challenges. Cultural Travel: A guide to Portugal’s Sephardic heritage points travellers beyond the usual landmarks, from Lisbon’s street names to Belmonte’s Jewish history.

World Cup 2030: Netflix will stream all 104 matches live in Spain and Andorra, with one match per day free to watch. Portugal is co-hosting the centenary tournament with Spain and Morocco; the deal does not cover Portuguese viewers. Port Wine: The Douro and Porto wine institute is taking tastings and food-pairing seminars to London, Birmingham and Edinburgh from 26 to 28 October, showcasing six styles of Port. Culture: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on 21 November, while artist Joana Vasconcelos says she is tired of women’s art being defined by pain. Life in Portugal: Thousands have protested rising living and housing costs, as affordability remains a pressing concern. City Breaks: Lisbon ranks second in a European Best Destinations list of top city breaks for 2027, praised for its historic centre, art, food and varied neighbourhoods. Fado Abroad: A feature explores how fado is finding a growing audience in Canada, where Portuguese music and identity are reaching new listeners.

Arts & Culture: Lisbon-born photographer António Duarte Mil-Homens is showing 21 images of Portuguese sunsets and moonrises in Macau, celebrating landscapes captured in his home country. Football: Porto have won all eight league matches, while Portugal’s women took a 4-0 lead over Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifying play-off. Housing: Thousands took to the streets in Portugal to protest rising living and housing costs. Museums: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on November 21. Inclusive Sport: Portimão has opened Portugal’s first training centre for adaptive and inclusive sailing.

City Breaks: Lisbon came second behind Sofia in European Best Destinations’ 2027 ranking, voted on by more than 11,000 travellers. Douro Valley: Rick Steves celebrates the region’s terraced vineyards, village life and port wine, still made by hand and foot-treading. Book Lovers: Porto’s historic Livraria Lello, famed for its crimson staircase and ornate woodwork, features in a guide to the world’s most distinctive bookstores. Young Audiences: Lagos hosts five days of free theatre, dance, music and workshops for children and teens from October 13 to 17. Local History: A new book brings photographer José Bárcia’s images of Palmela and Setúbal, taken between 1895 and 1917, into view. Greener Cities: Estarreja has won the European Green Leaf 2028 title, recognising its environmental progress. Culture: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on November 21. Cost of Living: Thousands took to the streets in Portugal to protest rising living and housing costs.

Art & Identity: Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos says she is tired of women’s art being defined by pain, championing bold, monumental work that brings domestic craft into the spotlight. Lisbon Culture: The National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on November 21, offering visitors a fresh chance to explore its collections. Cost of Living: Thousands took to the streets in Portugal to protest rising housing and everyday costs. Inclusive Outdoors: Portimão has opened Portugal’s first training centre for adaptive and inclusive sailing. A Douro Escape: A new travel feature celebrates the valley’s scenery, wine and port.

Cost of Living: Thousands protested in Lisbon and Porto over rising rents, housing prices and wages that struggle to cover basic needs. Culture: Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art is set to reopen on November 21 after €8.5 million in restoration work. Football: Portugal has provisionally suspended Cristiano Ronaldo while it investigates his departure from the national squad; the federation says it hopes he will return. The women’s team also beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Douro Valley: Autumn visitors can join the grape harvest at Quinta da Pacheca, including traditional grape-stomping in a granite vat. Azores Flavours: On São Miguel, cooks still prepare cozido das Furnas by burying pots in volcanic earth to slow-cook the meal. Local Voices: A new profile revisits Algarve poet António Aleixo, remembered for his sharp, rhyming observations of ordinary life.

National Team: Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by Portugal’s football federation over his squad walkout, though its president says the federation wants him back. Lisbon Marathon: Uganda’s Martin Naibei Musau and Ethiopia’s Meskerem Mamo Hayile won Saturday’s races, both setting personal bests in warm conditions. Douro Harvest: Visitors can join the grape-stomping at Quinta da Pacheca through October, getting a hands-on taste of the region’s traditional vindima. Algarve Flavours: A food trail celebrates frango assado, the charcoal-grilled chicken beloved by locals and served at churrasqueiras across the south. Azores Tradition: On São Miguel, cooks still bury pots of meat and vegetables in Furnas’s volcanic ground for six hours to make cozido das Furnas. Inclusive Sailing: Portimão has opened Portugal’s first training centre for adaptive and inclusive sailing.

Lisbon Marathon: Kenyan runner Zablon Chumba returns to defend his title, facing a strong field that could challenge the course record. Women’s Football: Portugal beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in the first leg of their 2027 World Cup play-off, taking a commanding step towards qualification. Inclusive Sport: Portimão has opened Portugal’s first training centre for adaptive and inclusive sailing. Ocean Race: Portugal is set to become the race’s new Atlantic home, strengthening its profile as a sailing destination. Culture: Fado is finding a growing audience in Canada, with a new wave of listeners embracing the Portuguese music tradition. Children’s Care: A report warns that 90% of children in Portugal who need palliative care lack access to support.

Women’s Football: Portugal thrashed Northern Ireland 4-0 in the first leg of their World Cup playoff, putting the team close to the decisive qualifying round. Inclusive Sailing: Portimão will open Portugal’s first adaptive and inclusive sailing training centre in November, with international winter camps already planned. Animation: Brazilian-Portuguese co-production Ana, en passant is among nine films selected for Japan’s International Feature Film Competition. Style in Lisbon: Stylist Roz Kaur is coming to the city for a masterclass on style and identity for women over 40. Fado Goes Global: Toronto’s first International Fado Festival has drawn packed audiences, celebrating the music and Portugal’s cultural roots abroad. Porto’s Maritime Future: The Ocean Race is moving its headquarters to Porto, which will host the starts of its 2030, 2034 and 2038 races and develop a public ocean-racing museum and education centre.

Music & Culture: Portuguese priest-DJ Father Guilherme has entered DJ Mag’s global top 100 at No. 79, the only Portuguese artist on the list. Families & Care: Thousands of children with special educational needs risk losing school support as 98 Inclusion Resource Centres await funding details; separately, the palliative-care association says about 90% of Portugal’s 8,000 children and teens who need this care go unsupported. Travel: Ryanair plans twice-weekly Bournemouth–Porto flights from summer 2027, opening a new route to the city and northern Portugal. Museums: Portugal must review free museum admission for residents after the European Commission launched infringement proceedings over charging visitors; the government says it aims to change the policy by mid-2027. Food & Wine: Lagoa will host an Iberian wine-tourism forum on November 12–13, exploring links between wine, gastronomy and local identity. City Breaks: Porto topped Condé Nast Traveller’s friendliest European cities list, with Lisbon in second place; Portugal ranked second among Europe’s friendliest countries.

Coastal Art: In Porto Covo, nine tonnes of beach waste have been turned into 350 artworks for the Waste 2 Arte exhibition, which drew more than 18,000 visitors and involved 4,000 children in workshops. Cascais Getaways: A new Kimpton hotel is bringing another luxury stay to the coast, while a travel feature spotlights Cascais for pairing beaches, pine forests and easy access to Lisbon. Ancient Portugal: Visitors can explore Portimão’s Neanderthal past through a newly promoted book. Walking the Camino: One woman recalls how completing the Portuguese Way helped reshape her life.