The Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), known as the "bazooka," was born on July 13, 2021 with 16.6 billion euros, with Portugal being the first Member State to formally submit its plan to Brussels. On August 3, 2021, it received the first pre-financing of 2.2 billion euros, corresponding to 13% of the total. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused an inflationary spiral and disrupted supply chains, leading to public procurement tenders being left empty because the base prices were not compatible with the new reality. Faced with these widespread problems, the European Commission ended up recognizing the need for adjustments and allowed the bazooka to finance 19% of the cost increases of projects.
The first reprogramming, submitted in May 2023, increased the PRR from 16.6 to 22.2 billion euros, a 33.7% increase resulting from greater access to loans and a reinforcement of grants. Portugal now had to comply with 501 targets and milestones, against the previous 341. Companies and housing absorbed the most significant funds, with mobilizing agendas receiving 2.8 billion euros. The State Budget was called upon to finance 1.2 billion euros of these projects, changing the initial logic of full PRR financing.
The second reprogramming, in August 2024, altered 22 measures, including the first changes related to the Eastern Hospital of Lisbon, choosing to finance only the construction of the West Tower instead of the entire hospital complex. The third reprogramming, in February 2025, sacrificed the Violet Line of the Lisbon Metro, the Pisão dam, and the Algarve desalination plant, reallocating 1,463 million euros, of which 60% reinforced the areas of health, business, and science. The number of milestones and targets went from 463 to 438, and 1,517 million euros in new investments were introduced, mostly not dependent on construction works.
The fourth reprogramming, in July 2025, simplified descriptions of milestones and targets for 20 measures without impact on the financial allocation. The fifth reprogramming, in October 2025, made the PRR shrink to 21.9 billion euros, removing the Red Line of the Lisbon Metro and the Eastern Hospital and freeing up 311 million euros in loans. Social responses suffered significant reductions, with 14,142 fewer places in social facilities. The sixth reprogramming, in March 2026, introduced the novelty of 90% project completion, allowing several works to be substantially completed without penalties, and the Ruby Line of the Porto Metro was removed, freeing up 73 million euros. The seventh reprogramming, delivered in July 2026, expanded the 90% rule and significantly reduced ambition in health, with the target for new beds falling by 42% and the commitment for mobilizing agendas being revised upward to 403 new products, processes, and services.
