Portugal faces potentially severe travel disruption today as a nationwide general strike has grounded most flights and paralysed transport networks.
About half of Portugal’s workforce is expected to join the walkout, leading to delays on metros, trains and buses, as well as widespread disruption in the sky.
National carrier TAP began cancelling services earlier this week, warning passengers that operations will be limited to legally mandated minimum services during the walkout.
Hundreds of flights have since been cancelled, the Lisbon metro has closed and train services ground to a halt across the country.
State-owned railway operator Comboios de Portugal (CP) has warned travellers that both long-distance and local trains will likely be disrupted today. According to AFP, Lisbon's train station was empty this morning as most services had been cancelled.
While hospitals remain open for emergency services, most surgeries and appointments have been postponed.
Why is Portugal striking?
Today marks Portugal’s first general strike since 2013, when the country had to slash public spending to receive international aid.
Portugal’s two main unions, CGTP and UGT, called the walkout this time to protest the minority right-wing government’s planned labour law reforms.
The proposal would make it easier for employers to dismiss staff, lengthen fixed-term contracts and expand the list of services that must remain operational during strikes.
Public-sector staff, teachers, health workers and transport employees are participating, including airline cabin crew union SNPVAC. The union represents around 5,000 TAP crew members, as well as staff for easyJet, Ryanair and Azores Airlines.
Which flights will operate during Portugal’s strike?
While flight services were largely grounded, some airlines reached agreements with unions that will allow a limited schedule to run.
TAP is operating three return flights to the Azores, two to Madeira and one return service to each of the following destinations: Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.
It is also operating three return flights to Brazil and two to the United States.
The airline has allowed passengers to move their trip up to three days before or after 11 December (8-14 December) at no extra cost via its website, app or travel agencies.
Meanwhile, Azores Airlines and Sata – popular carriers for travellers going to and from the Azores – are running a combined 25 flights, covering both mainland-island links and routes between the islands.
The Sata Group, which oversees both airlines, has also offered passengers the possibility of changing their trips free of charge to any date between 6 and 16 December 2025.
Handling company SPdH will work these flights while airport operator ANA has said it will ensure “strictly necessary means” to maintain the legally required minimum operations, Lusa News reports.
Most other flights are expected to be cancelled.
What to do if your flight is affected
According to EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers retain their rights even during a general strike.
Travellers whose flights are cancelled can choose between a refund or rebooking, and they are entitled to meals, accommodation and care during extended delays.
Compensation rules vary. The EU Court of Justice has held that strikes by airline staff, such as pilots or cabin crew, are not considered “extraordinary circumstances”. That means airlines are usually required to compensate passengers if the cancellation is not announced at least 14 days in advance.
Strikes by airport or air traffic controllers may count as extraordinary circumstances, in which case compensation might not apply, though assistance rights do.
Meanwhile, CP is offering rail passengers who have already purchased tickets to travel on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, International, InterRegional and Regional trains a full refund or a free exchange for another train in the same category and class.
Refunds or exchanges can be made on the CP website and app up to 15 minutes before the train departs its origin station or at ticket offices.
A refund can also be requested online up to 10 days after the strike.
Travellers should monitor airline alerts, keep receipts for any expenses and rebook as early as possible if they hope to avoid disruption.
