Both the socialist proposal for the permanent end of commissions and Chega’s measure for a fixed percentage were rejected, which could lead to a return to collection as early as 2026.
Families with mortgage loans will be able to pay early repayment commissions again from January 1, 2026. The possibility of extending or changing the exemption regime that has been in force since 2022 fell to the ground after PS and Chega failed an understanding within the scope of the State Budget discussion. Both presented proposals with the aim of relieving these commissions, but neither received the necessary votes to move forward.
Since 2022, banks have been prevented from charging commissions of up to 0.5% or, in some cases, up to 2%in the early amortization of credits with variable rates. The measure, created in response to the sharp rise in interest rates by the European Central Bank, was always temporary and ends at the end of this year. With the deadline approaching, the political debate once again focused on the possible maintenance or reformulation of the suspension.
The PS proposed make commission exemption permanent applied to housing credit contracts with variable rates, justifying the initiative with the “lack of decision” from the Government. However, the proposal was rejected by the votes against by the PSD, CDS and Liberal Initiative, and by Chega’s abstention.
In turn, Chega presented a distinct alternative: the creation of a “flat tax” up to 0.5% applicable to all types of credit and thus eliminating asymmetries in the current regime. However, without the support of the PS, the proposal also had a negative fate, says .
With both initiatives rejected in Friday’s vote and without review in the last session on November 24, the possibility now opens for banks reactivate the collection of commissions at the beginning of next year. If nothing is legislated in the meantime, charges may return to the limits set out in the law: up to 0.5% on variable credits and up to 2% on fixed or mixed rate credits.
The Minister of Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, also stated there is no government decision on the future of the regime, sending clarifications for later.
Last year, the PS came forward with an autonomous diploma to extend the suspension for another year, a measure that passed thanks to the PSD’s abstention and Chega’s vote against.
