After being rejected by a Moção de Confiança proposed to the Parliament by the Aliança Democrática (AD) Government, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called the Portuguese for election, a year after the legislative election in 2024.

In this article, we will highlight the main points in the manifesto of each party for sectors including housing, tourism, immigration and health.

Aliança Democrática (AD)

AD is the political coalition between PSD and CDS-PP, forming a centre-right alliance between both parties. It is led by Luís Montenegro, the current Prime Minister.

Regarding immigration, the coalition aims to tighten the naturalisation requirements, which may (or may not) affect the Golden Visa holders. There is also current work, which they aim to continue, on the deportation of illegal immigrants in Portugal.

When it comes to tourism, AD intends to simplify administrative processes in the sector, as well as promote the touristic activities in the interior of the country, aiming to bring a balance to the sector.


In matters relating to housing, AD wants to reduce the taxes of young people who are trying to buy their first home and wants to promote the public-private partnerships to increase the housing supply, as well as reducing taxes in the building sector to stimulate housing development.

Regarding the National Health Service (SNS), the coalition aims to promote the combination of the public, private and social sectors to reduce the limitations in the SNS. The joint work hopes to improve local health access as well as to attract medical professionals in areas where the lack of doctors is mostly felt.

Partido Socialista (PS)

The main party of the current opposition is defined as a centre-left party, and it is led by Pedro Nuno Santos.

In immigration, the party aims to alleviate the bureaucracy of the administrative systems by using digital services.

In the tourist sector, PS intends to regulate AL (holiday accommodation), preventing excessive growth that may affect the housing availability for the Portuguese.


In the housing sector, the socialists want to keep on investing in public housing and increase the taxes on capital gains for the second homes that remain uninhabited. There is also the goal of regulating the rental market to stabilise the rental prices.

When it comes to the SNS, PS wants to expand the dental and mental health fields in the public health domain and ensure that every Portuguese family has a family doctor in their local health centre.

CHEGA! (CH)

The far-right party led by André Ventura is currently the third political force in Portugal.

Known for its agenda against immigration, CH wants to bring back the border security service and impose quotas on the labour needs and qualifications of the immigrants who arrive in Portugal. The party also wants to revoke the freedom of movement of the people for the Community of the Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).


In matters of tourism, the party aims to make the obtaining of licenses for the sector an easier process, aiming to increase infrastructure development. To the housing sector, CH wants to abolish some property taxes and simplify the building license processes.

Being critical of the current state of SNS, the party wants to integrate the private sector into public healthcare and bring better equipment and more technicians to the health facilities. CHEGA! also wants to reduce the waiting time for appointments or other medical procedures.

Iniciativa Liberal (IL)

The current fourth political force is a centre-right party led by Rui Rocha.

In terms of immigration, the party wants to bring to Portugal qualified workers and reduce the bureaucracy in the immigration services.

IL wants to support the tourism sector, and is against the penalties that may be applied in the sector, namely in AL.


As far as housing is concerned, IL believes that the Government must intervene less in the sector, as well as intends to improve the housing supply by promoting private investment.

Regarding health, the party wants to encourage competition between the private and public sectors and give vouchers to the Portuguese to choose in which sector they want to be treated.

Bloco de Esquerda (BE)

The left-wing party is currently led by Mariana Mortágua.

Regarding immigration, BE has a more liberal stance supporting the legalisation of immigrants who are still undocumented, as well as being against the limitation of immigration or any discriminatory practices.


In the tourism sector, the party wants to create quotas per parish for short-term rentals, such as AL, advocating for its restrictions.

When it comes to housing, BE wants to increase the public offer and set limits on the rent prices.

Besides wanting to reduce the waiting time, BE advocates for the dedication to the SNS and it is against any type of privatisation.

Coligação Democrática Unitária (CDU)

The coalition between the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and Os Verdes (PEV) is led by Paulo Raimundo.

In immigration, CDU wants to solve the current immigration cases as well as protect the immigrants in the country.


The party supports the regulation of AL to protect housing availability. In matters of housing, CDU wants to build 50,000 public housing units and is against the stance that housing can be an investment.

In health, the party wants to expand the SNS infrastructure and increase the salaries of health professionals. CDU also wants to increase access to health education and early screenings.

Livre (L)

The party led by Rui Tavares defends left policies linked to an environmental agenda.

The party supports the integration of immigrants in the country, promoting programmes for that matter.

Regarding tourism, Livre wants to tighten the rules on tourist accommodations and enforce the oversight of illegal rents.


In terms of housing, the party stresses that housing is a constitutional right and aims to promote investment in public housing. Regarding vacant and luxury properties, Livre wants to increase taxation.

When it comes to health, the party supports the public investment in SNS and promotes a link between health with social, mental and environmental care.

Pessoas-Animais-Natureza (PAN)

Without a defined ideology, the party is led by Inês Sousa Real.

In terms of immigration, the party defends compassionate immigration and advocates for legal protections for immigrants.


Regarding tourism, PAN defends that AL must be limited in certain areas of the country.

As environmentalists, the party defended eco-friendly housing as well as the promotion of regulated rent prices.

In the health sector, the party not only advocates for improving the SNS, but also the creating a pet care public system, so that pet owners can have access to affordable veterinary care.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos