A record number of first residence permits for EU countries were issued last year to people originating from outside the EU.

The number rose to 2.6 million in 2015, the highest since Eurostat began compiling data in 2008 and a rise of 12% over 2014.

Portugal’s Minister for the Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, already has stated that "the economy of the sea will always be the future of Portugal" and now has decided the best way to generate income while doing very little is to authorise more private marinas.

Most of Portugal's existing marinas are run by the government through Docapesca but the minister intends to grant concessions to private companies, pointing out that there is a growing demand for ocean tourism and more marinas are the easiest way that Portugal can capitalise on this trend.

Monday, October 31st will mark the laying of the first stone at the long-awaited wastewater treatment plant between Faro and Olhão by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Carlos Martins. No completion date has been announced but expect two years.
 
In Faro back in April this year, the Secretary of State for the Environment was at the headquarters of Águas do Algarve to sign the contract for a new treatment plant that will be built by Consórcio Oliveiras SA - Acciona Agua SA at a cost of €13.9 million.

Portugal’s airports operator ANA has advised customers to arrive with plenty of time to spare before the flights are due to leave as a strike by security workers may well affect the smooth running of Faro, Lisbon and Oporto airports.

The strike is set for Thursday 27th October, has been called by STAD union and is part of a national period of action by private security personnel between 22 October and 6 November.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi threatened to block funds that the EU provides to countries unless those countries assist in the relocation of migrants.

Renzi has frequently criticised the clear lack of European solidarity in confronting the migrant crisis and blasted central European nations that closed their borders and refused to accept asylum seekers.

And who can blame them? The second oldest capital city in Europe combines unique treasures modern spirit and rich culture.

But Lisbon was not the only place Lonely Planet heralded. The Azores was named as one of the world’s leading regions and Porto acknowledged as one of the best for top value.

In an 11th hour climb down, the government has suspended the demolition programme aimed at destroying Ria Formosa island homes in the villages of Farol and Hangares on Culatra.

The Ministry of the Environment today announced the halt to this Thursday’s planned demolition of up to 81 further properties and now is offering a programme of cooperation with the islanders to determine which properties in Farol and Hangares are not occupied, and hence could be removed, and which are lived in by islanders and could be left standing.

Portugal’s image of northern Europeans getting disgracefully drunk on holiday needs some readjustment as the European Social Survey shows alarming trends for in the drinking habits of Portuguese men.

While slowly destroying their livers, the Portuguese male does take care to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables but fails to take much exercise.