Portugal
On March 5, 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) imposed a €10 million fine on Portugal for failing to comply with a previous judgment regarding the Habitats Directive. The court also mandated a daily penalty of €41,250 until full compliance is achieved.
The Habitats Directive aims to preserve biodiversity across the EU by establishing the Natura 2000 network, which includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Member States are required to designate and protect these areas to ensure the survival of threatened species and habitats.
In September 2019, the CJEU found that Portugal had breached its obligations by failing to designate 61 sites as SACs and by not adopting appropriate conservation measures. Despite this ruling, Portugal did not take the necessary actions to comply.
Given Portugal's continued non-compliance, the European Commission initiated further legal proceedings. The CJEU's recent decision underscores the seriousness of the infringement and the importance of adhering to EU environmental laws.
This ruling highlights the EU's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and the financial consequences of non-compliance. Portugal is now under significant pressure to implement the required conservation measures promptly to avoid ongoing penalties.
