The number of applicants for European research grants has more than doubled since 2022, driven by an increased reliance on European science funding and the rise of artificial intelligence. Demand is currently far outstripping available budgets.
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A study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation reveals that the Portuguese tax system has approximately 800 active tax benefits, with nearly 40% of them currently unquantified, indicating a lack of transparency and planning.
Parliament is set to approve the 2027 State Budget proposal in its general reading today, 28 October, following the Socialist Party's announcement that it will abstain. Following this general approval, the document proceeds to the committee stage for detailed discussion and amendments between 30 October and 6 November, with final global voting scheduled for 24 November.
A study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation indicates that middle-income households bear a higher relative tax burden from the ISP (Tax on Oil and Energy Products) than lower-income households. The authors attribute this to the fact that lower-income groups rely more on public transport, whereas middle-income households depend more on personal vehicles. The study notes that while tobacco and alcohol taxes are regressive (weighing most heavily on the poor), the ISP is more regressive for those in the middle of the income distribution.