Starting October 1, 2026, a new right for railway passengers comes into effect in Portugal. When a train is delayed or cancelled, the operator has a maximum period of 100 minutes, counted from the scheduled departure time, to present alternatives to the passenger. If that period expires without an adequate solution being offered, the passenger may, on their own initiative, hire another public transport operator, whether rail or road, to continue their journey.
The new right is part of Decree-Law No. 173/2026, published on September 1, which adapts Portuguese legislation to the European rules regarding railway passenger rights. The decree covers various matters, including delays, cancellations, refunds, compensation, and rerouting of passengers. The 100-minute countdown begins at the scheduled departure time of the affected service or from the loss of a connection.
To recover money spent on alternative transportation, the passenger must keep proof such as tickets and receipts. The legislation determines that only costs that are duly documented, justified, and considered necessary, appropriate, and reasonable will be reimbursed. Furthermore, anyone who receives a refund or continues their journey by another means loses the right to subsequently use the original transport ticket.
The new legislation also maintains compensation rules for delays: 25% of the ticket price for delays between 60 and 119 minutes, and up to 50% for delays equal to or greater than 120 minutes, provided they do not result from extraordinary circumstances, situations attributable to the passenger, or third-party behavior that the operator could not have avoided.
