In total, the budget for 2026 amounts to €25.9 million, according to the mayor.

The budget and the Major Options Plan for 2026 were approved by a majority in the Municipal Assembly last December, with votes in favour from the PS (13), votes against from two PSD deputies, and abstentions from the elected representatives of the CDS-PP and Chega.

The budget has a total value of €25,992,269, representing an increase of more than one million euros compared to the €24,989,896 of last year.

In statements to the Lusa news agency, the mayor of Monchique, Paulo Alves, pointed out that among the executive's priorities are investments in education, amounting to around three million euros, highlighting the requalification of the Manuel do Nascimento EB 2/3 school.

"This also includes support for students, with the provision of free textbooks and school transport, as well as the awarding of scholarships to higher education students," he noted.

Civil protection and forest fire prevention are another of the municipality's priorities for this year, where "an investment of more than three million euros is planned, which includes the acquisition of vehicles and equipment," said the mayor.

According to Paulo Alves, the municipality “also prioritizes economic development,” with the construction of the business park, a complex “essential for bringing together and retaining investors,” with the work being 60% financed by community funds from the Portugal 2030 Program.

“It is an infrastructure that has been planned and waited for a long time, being essential to attract investors and for the development of Monchique's economy,” he stressed.

According to the mayor, the “realistic and financially rigorous budget guarantees the necessary and decisive investments for the future.”

With regard to taxes, the municipality will maintain the rate of 2.5% for IRS (Personal Income Tax), 0.3% for IMI (Municipal Property Tax) for urban buildings, with a “fixed deduction of €30” for families with one dependent, an amount that rises to €70 for households with two dependents and to €140 if the family has three or more dependents.