In the chapter on revenues relating to the road sector, the Government highlights the discrepancy between the estimate in the OE 2024 report (also prepared by António Costa's executive) and the one it now presents. The reason is the end of toll collection on some highways (mainly ex-SCUT) from January 1, 2025, a measure approved in Parliament by the opposition and enacted in Law 37/2024.

If the OE 2024 report predicted an inflow of 545 million euros, now there are only 390 million, “essentially a consequence” of the decision regarding the ex-SCUT, indicates the OE2025 report.

With the elimination of toll fees “on sections and sub-sections of certain highways in the interior and where there are no alternative routes that allow quality and safe use”, explains the OE report, the impact on toll revenue reaches 180 million euros, currently raised by the public sector in the concessions of Algarve, Norte Litoral, Beiras Litoral and Alta and Interior Norte and in the sub-concessions of Pinhal Interior and Transmontana.

On the other hand, without quantifying, the report also mentions “reduction in costs with the toll collection service, essentially a consequence of the exclusion of values ​​relating to sections and sub-sections covered by Law No. 37/2024, of August 7”. Thus, from the 180 million in lost revenue, the reduction in costs associated with the current toll collection process on these roads will have to be deducted, an amount not quantified.

When discussing the bill that led to the toll exemption, the two parties supporting the Government had come forward with a loss of 180 million euros in revenue for the State, while the PS assured that the budgetary impact would be 157 million euros.

This bill was presented by the PS bench and was approved with the votes of socialist deputies and the benches of Chega, Bloco de Esquerda, PCP, Livre and PAN. The Liberal Initiative abstained and voted against the PSD and CDS-PP.

From January 1st, toll collection will end on the A4 – Transmontana and Túnel do Marão, A13 and A13-1, A22, A23, A24, A25 and on the sections of the A28 between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darque.