The Court said that 25% of the Lisbon and Porto urban services and the same proportion of long-distance trains would have to run.

Several unions at the infrastructure manager (IP) have called for a strike and train operator CP is anticipating “major disturbances and cancellations to all services” as no alternative bus service is going to be provided.

Passengers who already have tickets for the Alfa Pendular, Intercidades and Regional trains that do not run because of the strike can get a total refund or change the date and train for free.

The IP workers are demanding an immediate wage increase of about 4% as they say they have not had a pay rise since 2009.