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Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Future Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should guarantee annual increase of €250 million for the Azores, emphasises Duarte Freitas
Future Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should guarantee annual increase of €250 million for the Azores, emphasises Duarte Freitas
Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Press release
Press release
November 24, 2025
Future Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should guarantee annual increase of €250 million for the Azores, emphasises Duarte Freitas
November 24, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
November 19, 2025
Press release
News
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Regional Directorate for the Budget and Treasury
Regional Directorate for Planning and Structural Funds
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Azores Regional Statistics Service
Nota de Imprensa
November 24, 2025
Future Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should guarantee annual increase of €250 million for the Azores, emphasises Duarte Freitas
The Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration spoke today during a parliamentary debate on the proposed Plan and Budget for 2026, pointing out that the revision of the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should be based on a "clear basis for negotiation," starting with an annual increase of €250 million for the Azores. "We understand that this review must be based on clear negotiations: the Region must ensure a minimum increase of €250 million per year, guaranteeing the necessary means for sustained, stable and predictable development, considering the provisions included in the 2026 State Budget, on account of additional transfers," he stressed. The government official spoke in Horta on the first day of debate on next year's budget documents. Duarte Freitas announced that, in 2025, the Azores will exceed €6 billion in GDP, already taking into account the new statistical series for 2021. He continued: “Between 2019 and 2026, our nominal GDP will grow by 47.2%, with a consistent convergence of GDP per capita compared to the average for Portugal and the European Union. And between 2019 and 2026, corporate income tax revenue, even with the reduction in rates in the Azores, will grow from €44.7 million to €77 million, representing an increase of over 70%. This evidences the soundness of our economic fabric and the strength of our economy." The Regional Secretary acknowledged that the budget documents under analysis have, "as a priority, as regards the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the national and European goal of completing the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), while also "ensuring compliance with the n+3 rule of Azores 2030, i.e. implement €192 million of this programme in 2026." "These two tasks, though daunting, do not distract us from maintaining the achievements of this Government, such as the tax differential, the “Azores Fare,” COMPAMID, or the supplements to family allowances and pension supplements," he assured. However, with strategic consistency requiring us "to keep our choices and not spread our resources too thinly, these documents seek to address two of the Azoreans' biggest concerns: health and housing." "In health, after recovering debts in arrears since 2012, we want to keep regional suppliers with payments between sixty and ninety days, something that has not happened for many years. With this in mind, after updating salaries and careers and integrating occupational and COVID work programmes, we are undertaking a further effort to curb under-budgeting in the sector, with a €44 million increase in the health budget. Overall, from 2019 to 2026, Health will see its budget grow by €186 million, not to mention the conversion of commercial debt into financial debt. In housing, from 2025 to 2026, we will see a growth of €26.5 million and, compared to 2019, we will see a growth of €52 million, from €13.7 million to €65.7 million. Duarte Freitas also took the opportunity during his speech at the plenary session to announce that, "in addition to the RRP, we will propose and negotiate an increase in funding for housing in the reprogramming of Azores 2030." He continued: "When many doubted that we would meet the 2020 target, we achieved 101% implementation. When many questioned the implementation of the RRP in the Region, the Minister of Cohesion, now Minister of Economy, congratulated us for being an example to the country. And when the usual doomsayers announced that the Region would lose €117 million in centrally managed RRP funds, we found that, as of today, the Azores already have €169 million approved from national notices alone. When many doubted that the n+3 rule of Azores 2030 would be met, I can announce here today that, to date, we have already met the 2025 target, with an implementation exceeding €154 million. We are the territorial operational programme with the best implementation of funds in the country. Therefore, our confidence is based on hard facts and not on doomsayers, who are always contradicted by reality. Some of the tasks listed by Duarte Freitas for 2026 also include the privatisation process of Azores Airlines and SATA Handling, the divestment of Segma and Globaleda, the sale of the three golf courses owned by the Region, and the political decisions regarding the "six regional entities that were the subject of a technical study by Deloitte with a view to their sale, dissolution, transfer or integration, either in whole or in part." "We will move forward with procedures to enhance, recover and make available Sinaga's assets in Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, following public debate and technical approaches contracted with the Azores Delegation of the Portuguese Architects' Association," he pointed out. With the dissolution of SDEA and Azorina, the restructuring and concession of Santa Catarina, the sale of Naval Canal and the hotels on Graciosa and Flores, and with these tasks ahead of us in 2026, the Government, as Duarte Freitas stated, intends to take another step in optimising regional public assets, which will also include the sale of unused properties and a review of actual rental needs." He concluded: "We will never be satisfied. There is much to be done, corrected, completed or improved. But one also wonders: is there reason for satisfaction? In any economic area, these indicators would be a source of pride. Here in the Azores, they should be too. They exist because of entrepreneurs, families and all Azoreans. But they also exist because there is a Government that brings more, stimulates, liberates and encourages the best that the Azores have to offer. And we want to continue like this." Related press release: Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
November 24, 2025
Future Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should guarantee annual increase of €250 million for the Azores, emphasises Duarte Freitas
The Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration spoke today during a parliamentary debate on the proposed Plan and Budget for 2026, pointing out that the revision of the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions should be based on a "clear basis for negotiation," starting with an annual increase of €250 million for the Azores. "We understand that this review must be based on clear negotiations: the Region must ensure a minimum increase of €250 million per year, guaranteeing the necessary means for sustained, stable and predictable development, considering the provisions included in the 2026 State Budget, on account of additional transfers," he stressed. The government official spoke in Horta on the first day of debate on next year's budget documents. Duarte Freitas announced that, in 2025, the Azores will exceed €6 billion in GDP, already taking into account the new statistical series for 2021. He continued: “Between 2019 and 2026, our nominal GDP will grow by 47.2%, with a consistent convergence of GDP per capita compared to the average for Portugal and the European Union. And between 2019 and 2026, corporate income tax revenue, even with the reduction in rates in the Azores, will grow from €44.7 million to €77 million, representing an increase of over 70%. This evidences the soundness of our economic fabric and the strength of our economy." The Regional Secretary acknowledged that the budget documents under analysis have, "as a priority, as regards the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the national and European goal of completing the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), while also "ensuring compliance with the n+3 rule of Azores 2030, i.e. implement €192 million of this programme in 2026." "These two tasks, though daunting, do not distract us from maintaining the achievements of this Government, such as the tax differential, the “Azores Fare,” COMPAMID, or the supplements to family allowances and pension supplements," he assured. However, with strategic consistency requiring us "to keep our choices and not spread our resources too thinly, these documents seek to address two of the Azoreans' biggest concerns: health and housing." "In health, after recovering debts in arrears since 2012, we want to keep regional suppliers with payments between sixty and ninety days, something that has not happened for many years. With this in mind, after updating salaries and careers and integrating occupational and COVID work programmes, we are undertaking a further effort to curb under-budgeting in the sector, with a €44 million increase in the health budget. Overall, from 2019 to 2026, Health will see its budget grow by €186 million, not to mention the conversion of commercial debt into financial debt. In housing, from 2025 to 2026, we will see a growth of €26.5 million and, compared to 2019, we will see a growth of €52 million, from €13.7 million to €65.7 million. Duarte Freitas also took the opportunity during his speech at the plenary session to announce that, "in addition to the RRP, we will propose and negotiate an increase in funding for housing in the reprogramming of Azores 2030." He continued: "When many doubted that we would meet the 2020 target, we achieved 101% implementation. When many questioned the implementation of the RRP in the Region, the Minister of Cohesion, now Minister of Economy, congratulated us for being an example to the country. And when the usual doomsayers announced that the Region would lose €117 million in centrally managed RRP funds, we found that, as of today, the Azores already have €169 million approved from national notices alone. When many doubted that the n+3 rule of Azores 2030 would be met, I can announce here today that, to date, we have already met the 2025 target, with an implementation exceeding €154 million. We are the territorial operational programme with the best implementation of funds in the country. Therefore, our confidence is based on hard facts and not on doomsayers, who are always contradicted by reality. Some of the tasks listed by Duarte Freitas for 2026 also include the privatisation process of Azores Airlines and SATA Handling, the divestment of Segma and Globaleda, the sale of the three golf courses owned by the Region, and the political decisions regarding the "six regional entities that were the subject of a technical study by Deloitte with a view to their sale, dissolution, transfer or integration, either in whole or in part." "We will move forward with procedures to enhance, recover and make available Sinaga's assets in Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, following public debate and technical approaches contracted with the Azores Delegation of the Portuguese Architects' Association," he pointed out. With the dissolution of SDEA and Azorina, the restructuring and concession of Santa Catarina, the sale of Naval Canal and the hotels on Graciosa and Flores, and with these tasks ahead of us in 2026, the Government, as Duarte Freitas stated, intends to take another step in optimising regional public assets, which will also include the sale of unused properties and a review of actual rental needs." He concluded: "We will never be satisfied. There is much to be done, corrected, completed or improved. But one also wonders: is there reason for satisfaction? In any economic area, these indicators would be a source of pride. Here in the Azores, they should be too. They exist because of entrepreneurs, families and all Azoreans. But they also exist because there is a Government that brings more, stimulates, liberates and encourages the best that the Azores have to offer. And we want to continue like this." Related press release: Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
Intervenção
November 24, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
Full text of the speech delivered today by Duarte Freitas, Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026 in Horta: “The XIV Government of the Azores presents to this house a proposed Budget and Plan whose priority is to fulfil, as regards the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the national and European goal of completing the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). At the same time, we must ensure compliance with the n+3 rule of Azores 2030, i.e. implement €192 million of this programme in 2026. These two tasks, though daunting, do not distract us from maintaining the achievements of this Government, such as the tax differential, the “Azores Fare,” COMPAMID, or the supplements to family allowances and pension supplements. Strategic consistency entails keeping our choices and not spreading our resources too thinly. For this reason, we continue to safeguard the Azores' achievements in terms of territorial and social cohesion. And with these documents, we are also trying to address two of the Azoreans' biggest concerns: health and housing. In health, after recovering debts in arrears since 2012, we want to keep regional suppliers with payments between sixty and ninety days, something that has not happened for many years. With this in mind, after updating salaries and careers and integrating occupational and COVID work programmes, we are undertaking a further effort to curb under-budgeting in the sector, with a €44 million increase in the health budget. Overall, from 2019 to 2026, Health will see its budget grow by €186 million, not to mention the conversion of commercial debt into financial debt. In housing, from 2025 to 2026, we will see a growth of €26.5 million and, compared to 2019, we will see a growth of €52 million, from €13.7 million to €65.7 million. I can also inform you that, in addition to the RRP, we will propose and negotiate an increase in funding for housing in the reprogramming of Azores 2030. When many doubted that we would meet the 2020 target, we achieved 101% implementation. When many questioned the implementation of the RRP in the Region, the Minister of Cohesion, now Minister of Economy, congratulated us for being an example to the country. And when the usual doomsayers announced that the Region would lose €117 million in centrally managed RRP funds, we found that, as of today, the Azores already have €169 million approved from national notices alone. When many doubted that the n+3 rule of Azores 2030 would be met, I can announce here today that, to date, we have already met the 2025 target, with an implementation exceeding €154 million. We are the territorial operational programme with the best implementation of funds in the country. Therefore, our confidence is based on hard facts and not on doomsayers, who are always contradicted by reality. Accordingly, we look at the most difficult documents to implement in the history of Autonomy with great responsibility, some concern, but also with great confidence. Confidence not only in the performance of the Government and the Regional Administration, but also in our political, social and economic partners. We are counting on everyone and for everyone. Allow me to highlight some of the major tasks that lie ahead of us in the coming year. We will complete the privatisation process of Azores Airlines and SATA Handling. We will divest Segma and Globaleda. We will proceed with the sale of the three golf courses owned by the Region through Ilhas de Valor. We will make political decisions regarding the six regional entities that were the subject of a technical study by Deloitte with a view to their sale, dissolution, transfer or integration, either in whole or in part, namely Portos dos Açores, Atlânticoline, Lotaçor, Teatro Micaelense, IROA and IAMA. We will move forward with procedures to enhance, recover and make available Sinaga's assets in Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, following public debate and technical approaches contracted with the Azores Delegation of the Portuguese Architects' Association. With the dissolution of SDEA and Azorina, the restructuring and concession of Santa Catarina, the sale of Naval Canal and the hotels on Graciosa and Flores, and with these tasks ahead of us in 2026, the Government intends to take another step in optimising regional public assets, which will also include the sale of unused properties and a review of actual rental needs. The ultimate goal is to rationalise spending, optimise the public business sector and allow private initiative to manage what it does best, creating wealth and jobs. This is what has been happening, and this is what we want to continue happening. With a firm belief and determination, the XIV Government wants to consolidate and deepen the structural changes that mark a new political paradigm in the Azores. This new political paradigm marks a step forward in the institutional maturity of our Autonomy. It is important to remember historic achievements, such as the fact that the President of the Economic and Social Council of the Azores is appointed by the largest opposition party, in an unprecedented agreement that reinforces the pluralism, balance and democratic representation of this body. I would also like to mention the opening of Region Day, which now includes political speeches by all parliamentary groups, valuing democratic diversity and promoting a more inclusive institutional space. I would also like to mention the financial support allocated to parliamentary groups, ensuring that they have adequate resources to carry out their oversight, proposal and representation duties, thereby also contributing to the quality of democracy in the Azores. I recall the historic Strategic Partnership Agreement, which represents a fundamental milestone in consistent social dialogue, establishing stable, cross-cutting and lasting commitments that transcend a political dimension and provide a solid basis for implementing structural reforms. The quality of our democracy and our autonomous regime is decisively strengthened by these developments and, indeed, by this new political paradigm. Still within the scope of what the regime agreements should be, which we consider essential to the ongoing deepening of autonomy, we highlight the revision of the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions. We believe that this revision should be based on clear negotiations: the Region must ensure a minimum increase of €250 million per year, guaranteeing the necessary means for sustained, stable and predictable development, considering the provisions included in the 2026 State Budget, on account of additional transfers. In this Regional Legislative Assembly, we want to conclude the dialogue for the creation of CRESAPRA, the Recruitment and Selection Committee for the Autonomous Regional Public Administration, a fundamental instrument of transparency, rigour and merit in the selection of Regional Administration leaders. Following the authorising legislation, which is included in the provisions of this 2026 Budget, we will also move forward with a proposal to create the Azores Institute of Statistics, a decisive step towards providing the Region with statistical autonomy, thereby strengthening its credibility and independence. The quality of our democracy and our autonomous regime will be decisively strengthened by these achievements, by this vision and, indeed, by this new political paradigm. We have been growing for 52 consecutive months. We have the largest working population ever. We have the largest employed population in the history of Autonomy. We have a residual unemployment rate that is lower than the national and European average. We have controlled inflation that is within the best European technical standards. In 2025, we will exceed six billion euros in GDP, already considering the new statistical series for 2021. Between 2019 and 2026, our nominal GDP will grow by 47.2%, with a consistent convergence of GDP per capita compared to the average for Portugal and the European Union. And between 2019 and 2026, corporate income tax revenue, even with the reduction in rates in the Azores, will grow from €44.7 million to €77 million, representing an increase of over 70%. This evidences the soundness of our economic fabric and the strength of our economy. Is everything alright? No. And we will never be satisfied. There is much to be done, corrected, completed or improved. But one also wonders: is there reason for satisfaction? In any economic area, these indicators would be a source of pride. Here in the Azores, they should be too. They exist because of entrepreneurs, families and all Azoreans. But they also exist because there is a Government that brings more, stimulates, liberates and encourages the best that the Azores have to offer. And we want to continue like this. With everyone and for everyone."
November 24, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration
Full text of the speech delivered today by Duarte Freitas, Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026 in Horta: “The XIV Government of the Azores presents to this house a proposed Budget and Plan whose priority is to fulfil, as regards the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the national and European goal of completing the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). At the same time, we must ensure compliance with the n+3 rule of Azores 2030, i.e. implement €192 million of this programme in 2026. These two tasks, though daunting, do not distract us from maintaining the achievements of this Government, such as the tax differential, the “Azores Fare,” COMPAMID, or the supplements to family allowances and pension supplements. Strategic consistency entails keeping our choices and not spreading our resources too thinly. For this reason, we continue to safeguard the Azores' achievements in terms of territorial and social cohesion. And with these documents, we are also trying to address two of the Azoreans' biggest concerns: health and housing. In health, after recovering debts in arrears since 2012, we want to keep regional suppliers with payments between sixty and ninety days, something that has not happened for many years. With this in mind, after updating salaries and careers and integrating occupational and COVID work programmes, we are undertaking a further effort to curb under-budgeting in the sector, with a €44 million increase in the health budget. Overall, from 2019 to 2026, Health will see its budget grow by €186 million, not to mention the conversion of commercial debt into financial debt. In housing, from 2025 to 2026, we will see a growth of €26.5 million and, compared to 2019, we will see a growth of €52 million, from €13.7 million to €65.7 million. I can also inform you that, in addition to the RRP, we will propose and negotiate an increase in funding for housing in the reprogramming of Azores 2030. When many doubted that we would meet the 2020 target, we achieved 101% implementation. When many questioned the implementation of the RRP in the Region, the Minister of Cohesion, now Minister of Economy, congratulated us for being an example to the country. And when the usual doomsayers announced that the Region would lose €117 million in centrally managed RRP funds, we found that, as of today, the Azores already have €169 million approved from national notices alone. When many doubted that the n+3 rule of Azores 2030 would be met, I can announce here today that, to date, we have already met the 2025 target, with an implementation exceeding €154 million. We are the territorial operational programme with the best implementation of funds in the country. Therefore, our confidence is based on hard facts and not on doomsayers, who are always contradicted by reality. Accordingly, we look at the most difficult documents to implement in the history of Autonomy with great responsibility, some concern, but also with great confidence. Confidence not only in the performance of the Government and the Regional Administration, but also in our political, social and economic partners. We are counting on everyone and for everyone. Allow me to highlight some of the major tasks that lie ahead of us in the coming year. We will complete the privatisation process of Azores Airlines and SATA Handling. We will divest Segma and Globaleda. We will proceed with the sale of the three golf courses owned by the Region through Ilhas de Valor. We will make political decisions regarding the six regional entities that were the subject of a technical study by Deloitte with a view to their sale, dissolution, transfer or integration, either in whole or in part, namely Portos dos Açores, Atlânticoline, Lotaçor, Teatro Micaelense, IROA and IAMA. We will move forward with procedures to enhance, recover and make available Sinaga's assets in Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, following public debate and technical approaches contracted with the Azores Delegation of the Portuguese Architects' Association. With the dissolution of SDEA and Azorina, the restructuring and concession of Santa Catarina, the sale of Naval Canal and the hotels on Graciosa and Flores, and with these tasks ahead of us in 2026, the Government intends to take another step in optimising regional public assets, which will also include the sale of unused properties and a review of actual rental needs. The ultimate goal is to rationalise spending, optimise the public business sector and allow private initiative to manage what it does best, creating wealth and jobs. This is what has been happening, and this is what we want to continue happening. With a firm belief and determination, the XIV Government wants to consolidate and deepen the structural changes that mark a new political paradigm in the Azores. This new political paradigm marks a step forward in the institutional maturity of our Autonomy. It is important to remember historic achievements, such as the fact that the President of the Economic and Social Council of the Azores is appointed by the largest opposition party, in an unprecedented agreement that reinforces the pluralism, balance and democratic representation of this body. I would also like to mention the opening of Region Day, which now includes political speeches by all parliamentary groups, valuing democratic diversity and promoting a more inclusive institutional space. I would also like to mention the financial support allocated to parliamentary groups, ensuring that they have adequate resources to carry out their oversight, proposal and representation duties, thereby also contributing to the quality of democracy in the Azores. I recall the historic Strategic Partnership Agreement, which represents a fundamental milestone in consistent social dialogue, establishing stable, cross-cutting and lasting commitments that transcend a political dimension and provide a solid basis for implementing structural reforms. The quality of our democracy and our autonomous regime is decisively strengthened by these developments and, indeed, by this new political paradigm. Still within the scope of what the regime agreements should be, which we consider essential to the ongoing deepening of autonomy, we highlight the revision of the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions. We believe that this revision should be based on clear negotiations: the Region must ensure a minimum increase of €250 million per year, guaranteeing the necessary means for sustained, stable and predictable development, considering the provisions included in the 2026 State Budget, on account of additional transfers. In this Regional Legislative Assembly, we want to conclude the dialogue for the creation of CRESAPRA, the Recruitment and Selection Committee for the Autonomous Regional Public Administration, a fundamental instrument of transparency, rigour and merit in the selection of Regional Administration leaders. Following the authorising legislation, which is included in the provisions of this 2026 Budget, we will also move forward with a proposal to create the Azores Institute of Statistics, a decisive step towards providing the Region with statistical autonomy, thereby strengthening its credibility and independence. The quality of our democracy and our autonomous regime will be decisively strengthened by these achievements, by this vision and, indeed, by this new political paradigm. We have been growing for 52 consecutive months. We have the largest working population ever. We have the largest employed population in the history of Autonomy. We have a residual unemployment rate that is lower than the national and European average. We have controlled inflation that is within the best European technical standards. In 2025, we will exceed six billion euros in GDP, already considering the new statistical series for 2021. Between 2019 and 2026, our nominal GDP will grow by 47.2%, with a consistent convergence of GDP per capita compared to the average for Portugal and the European Union. And between 2019 and 2026, corporate income tax revenue, even with the reduction in rates in the Azores, will grow from €44.7 million to €77 million, representing an increase of over 70%. This evidences the soundness of our economic fabric and the strength of our economy. Is everything alright? No. And we will never be satisfied. There is much to be done, corrected, completed or improved. But one also wonders: is there reason for satisfaction? In any economic area, these indicators would be a source of pride. Here in the Azores, they should be too. They exist because of entrepreneurs, families and all Azoreans. But they also exist because there is a Government that brings more, stimulates, liberates and encourages the best that the Azores have to offer. And we want to continue like this. With everyone and for everyone."