Brussels calls on Portugal to ensure periodic review of water control measures

The national law in Portugal does not correctly transpose the obligation set out in the Water Framework Directive to periodically review water control measures to monitor water abstractions and impoundments, and other significant adverse impacts on the status of water. The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Portugal in May 2025 but has now decided to send a reasoned opinion. Portugal has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the European Commission may decide to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

According to the Infringement Package published on 11 March, Portugal provided some explanations of the assessment in response to the assessment of the European Commission. Based on this explanation, the European Commission concluded that, under Portuguese law, there is no obligation for the authorities to periodically review the control measures. The Water Framework Directive requires Member States to carry out periodic reviews of water permits. Reviewing water control measures is part of this obligation, including any permits granted, to determine whether they still achieve their objectives and, if necessary, to update them.

Slovenia and Cyprus also urged to comply with the WFD

In 2025, many Member States received a letter of formal notice regarding the review of their water permits. Slovenia and Cyprus also received a reasoned opinion for not correctly transposing the obligation to periodically review water permits. In Slovenia, controls over water abstraction, as well as the review of permits and concessions are only carried out when monitoring or controls trigger them. Without such a trigger, the review will not happen. In Cyprus, national legislation does not impose any periodic review, which demonstrates a case of incorrect transposition of the Water Framework Directive.

Achieving good status of European water bodies

The Water Framework Directive requires Member States to establish a programme of measures for each river basin district to ensure good status of European water bodies, such as rivers and lakes. Each programme must include measures to control different types of pressures affecting water bodies, such as water abstraction and diffuse pollution sources.