"The user-pays principle should be followed," argued Joaquim Miranda Sarmento at the hearing within the scope of the specialised review of the proposed State Budget for 2026 (OE2026), arguing that these infrastructures have Public-Private Partnership contracts with "significant burdens for the State and large maintenance costs."
For the minister, these infrastructures "provide a service to users that should be paid for by them," therefore, he opposes "any elimination of tolls."
"The Socialist Party decided to do this with Chega, not considering that it's everyone's taxes that are paying the millions," he reminded.
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Português (Brasil)
Maybe the right honorable minister should spend some considerable time in the Algarve and experience first hand the lovely EN125 and the compare it to the A22 before making a decision. It's very strange that all the politicians seem to "forget" that the A22 was built with European Union money, which was paid for by already collected taxes. As there wasn't a suitable solution for the EN125, the tolls for this road were removed thankfully in the past year it so.
By Charles from Algarve on 10 Nov 2025, 19:19
Regardless of wh paid for those roads, these still require maintenance. if One does not agree wth paying the tolls, there are manh others roads that do not collect tolls. User pay is a fair and honest approach!
By Jean-Claude Audet from Beiras on 11 Nov 2025, 15:06
Ah, that explains why the structures for the toll transponders weren’t taken down!”
By Julia from Algarve on 11 Nov 2025, 16:34
If the current government hadn't spent M€ in briberies for pensioners prior to past elections, there would be enough money.
By nunof from Lisbon on 11 Nov 2025, 20:22
The toll roads were funded by the EU. The fee for their use is too high and deters motorists from using them. Hence, clogged up A roads. If Portugal is adamant on charging a fee for their use, it should be just sufficient enough to cover maintenance costs.
By Steve from Algarve on 12 Nov 2025, 09:28