Portugal Enacts New Decree-Law to Liberalize Electric Vehicle Charging Market
The Portuguese Government has officially published the new decree-law that will govern the electric mobility sector, marking a definitive move towards a liberalized, competitive market. The legislation, which appeared in the Diário da República this Thursday, introduces significant changes to the organization of the sector, eliminating the centralized model and simplifying the process for operating public charging stations. A transition period is set until December 31, 2026, to allow the market to adapt to the new framework.
According to the text of the decree-law, the government’s objective is to make the electric mobility model “simpler, more flexible, more transparent, more competitive, and accessible,” while ensuring alignment with European regulations such as the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The new rules are expected to accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure, a critical component for supporting the country's growing fleet of electric vehicles. The law explicitly states the government's commitment to “guaranteeing the universalidade of access to all points of carregamento.”
A key provision of the new legislation mandates that from January 1, 2027, all publicly accessible charging points with a power output of 50 kW or more must provide ad-hoc payment options. This will allow EV drivers to pay directly via common methods like QR codes or bank cards, without being tied to a contract with an electricity commercializer for electric mobility (CEME). This change is designed to remove a significant barrier for users and promote a more open and accessible network, particularly beneficial for tourists and occasional users.
The new regime also formally incorporates advanced technologies into the national framework. It provides for bidirectional charging, enabling vehicles to transfer energy back to the grid, a feature known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G). This capability is seen by energy experts as crucial for future grid stability, allowing EV batteries to function as a distributed energy resource. Additionally, the law regulates smart charging, where the charging intensity is dynamically adjusted based on grid signals, which can optimize energy consumption and reduce costs for consumers.
In a significant structural shift, the decree-law eliminates the mandatory role of the CEME, a figure currently central to the Mobi.E network. Instead, charging point operators (CPOs) will be able to establish their own networks and contract for electricity directly from suppliers or use on-site generation, such as solar panels, for self-consumption. This is intended to foster competition and innovation among service providers. The administrative process for establishing new charging points will also be streamlined through a system of prior communication and tacit approval, reducing bureaucratic delays.
To manage the shift from the current system, the transition period until the end of 2026 will see Mobi.E continue its role as the central data aggregator for the network. Existing CPOs must inform Mobi.E by that deadline if they wish to de-integrate their stations from the central platform. Those who do not communicate their intent will remain integrated. Current electricity suppliers for mobility who wish to become CPOs must also adapt their operations and notify the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) during this period.
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