There are still 855 million defense spending for the government to meet NATO this year

A government solution may reclassify already ongoing expenses to avoid increasing public costs.

Portugal will have to find close to 1.5 billion euros In expense classified as military to reach this year the goal of 2% of GDP in defense expenses assumed with NATO. However, only about 600 million euros should be accepted outside the European Union (EU) budget rules, leaving an 855 million “hole” that the government has to collect.

Locking results from different ways as born and EU account for military spending. While the Atlantic Alliance accepts a broader definition – including military pensions, schools protected by the Armed Forces or “double use” investments, such as useful infrastructures for both civilians and military – Brussels, Brussels It considers only strictly military expense.

According to the data sent to NATO, Portugal provides for an increase in expense in defense of 4,506 million euros by 2024 to 5,980 million this yearan increase of 1,474 million. Already before the European Commission, the government points to the defense effort rises from 0.9% to 1.1% of GDP in 2025, which corresponds to 598 million additional euros compared to the previous year, explains the.

Luís Montenegro reaffirmed in June the commitment to the allies, estimating a reinforcement of billion euros in equipment, infrastructures and salaries of the Armed Forces. Until July, strict military investment totaled 227 million euros, 101 million more than in 2024, but still below the goals set by NATO.

Part of the solution may go through the reclassification of expenses already underway so that the goal is fulfilled without implying new public expense. The process must be reflected in the state budget proposal to 2026 and the revision of the military programming law scheduled for next year.

Still, there are still doubts about the reported numbers. A recent report by the European Defense Agency questions the data provided by Lisbon in relation to 2024, suggesting that the effective defense expense will have Get below 1.5% of GDPwhen the government reported 1.58% to the born.