Background information

The Portuguese Government has issued a set of measures with the objective to support families, consumers in general, and businesses, amidst the rising prices of fuel and other energy products, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the further exponential increase in fuel energy prices as a consequence of the war in Ukraine.

Content of measure

This measure falls within the scope of the specific support provided for the freight transportation sector, and applies specifically to category D vehicles, operating in road transportation of goods for third parties.

This measure stipulates a 50% reduction in the Single Tax on Circulation (IUC) for road transportation of goods for third persons, and is specifically applicable to category D vehicles (freight transportation vehicles). Law 84/2021, of 6 December, changes the rates set in the Single Tax Circulation Code (Law 22-A/2007, of June 29) and extends article 70 of the support measures for road transportation of the Fiscal Benefits Statute (Decree-Law 215/89, of 1 July) until 31 December 2026.

Use of measure

No information to date.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

No involvement of any social partner in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the measure.

Views and reactions

According to the Association of Public Road Freight Transportation (Antram, 4 November 2021), the national association provided to the Minister of Infrastructures with a set of required structural measures included in a claim package, even before the current scenario of the escalation of fuel prices. The measure falls within the scope of those measures. Antram also stated that, although relevant for companies and the transportation sector, these measures will not be sufficient to mitigate the escalation of fuel prices, in the case that the growing trend is maintained.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 16 September 2022: Law 84/2021 of 6 December (data.dre.pt)
• 16 September 2022: Decree Law 215/89 of 1 July (dre.pt)
• 16 September 2022: Law 22-A/2007, of June 29 (data.dre.pt)
• 16 September 2022: Antram, 4 November 2021 (antram.pt)