Portugal’s New Immigration Rules: What Changes
Portugal substantially changes its immigration and citizenship laws. See what’s new and how to prepare if you want to live, work, or bring family.
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Tourist Laughs at Being Ripped-Off at Mercado dos Lavradores
Reputation under fire: Madeira is once again being ridiculed as a viral TikTok shows a tourist at Madeira’s Mercado dos Lavradores laughing to tears and rolling on the floor after being charged a staggering €72 for a few pieces of fruit.
€5,000 Monthly Stall Rents: Calls for Reform at Mercado dos Lavradores
Politics is now focusing on Mercado dos Lavradores, where it emerged that sellers pay up to €5,000 per month for stalls, leaving little room for fair pricing or honest practices.
Rethinking Travel: Madeira’s Vision for City Mobility
Cable cars for Funchal residents? Smarter traffic systems? A modernized bus fleet? Politicians across the spectrum are sharing ideas to reduce car dependence and tackle Madeira’s traffic problems.
Madeira’s 12% Share of Portugal’s Tourism Raises Concerns
Madeira’s tourism sector, which contributes 12% to Portugal's tourism and an unforgiving 40% of the island’s GDP, faces mounting pressures. Experts at the Tourism Conference urge clear policies, Visitor Impact Management, and improved transport solutions.
Funchal Cable Car Closes for Largest Renovation in 25 Years
The closure of the Funchal cable car from January 5, 2026, involves a €4 million project focusing on the Funchal station, cable replacement, and updating the system’s technology.
Protest in Funchal Challenges Ban on TVDE Drivers
Ride-hailing drivers protested in Funchal after Madeira suspended new TVDE licenses to prevent competition, leaving €700 training wasted, drivers unable to work, and tensions running high.
We Need to Talk About Mercado dos Lavradores
At Mercado dos Lavradores, one of Madeira’s most iconic spots, tourists arrive in the thousands but often depart shocked, overcharged, and deceived by systemic practices that exploit trust with inflated prices and misleading products.
50 Cars Honk Through Funchal in Labor Law Protest
Funchal streets erupted with horns from 50 cars on September 19 as unions protested the government’s controversial labor law reforms.
Madeira Waste Treatment Plant Has Reached Full Capacity
Madeira’s only waste treatment plant, Meia Serra, has hit maximum capacity, processing 3,800 tons daily. Authorities are seeking short term solutions to address the problem.
EU Advances Affordable Housing Plan for Member States
The European Commission will present its first plan for affordable housing this year, moving up the original 2026 schedule, as Portugal and other countries continue to face rising rents and housing shortages.
