Municipalities accumulate millions in school meal debts: Tax authorities step in to collect from families

Many municipalities are referring unpaid school meal bills to the Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária) for coercive collection, as outstanding debt totals millions of euros across the country. Local councils in areas like Odivelas, Leiria, and Vila Real report debts ranging from thousands to over 800,000 euros, though many offer installment plans before resorting to formal tax enforcement.