Increase in waste management fee to reduce landfill waste
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SubscribeThe December 31, 2025, edition of the Official Gazette of the Republic of Portugal published Order 15554-A/2025 of December 31 (“Order 15554-A/2025”). This order establishes the waste management fee (“WMF”) rates for the period spanning 2026 to 2030. A rectifying declaration was later issued in the January 16, 2026, edition of the Official Gazette.
The WMF, defined and governed by the General Waste Management Regime (“RGGR”), functions as an economic instrument designed to discourage landfill use and promote adherence to the waste hierarchy. The WMF is shaped by recent European commitments as regards waste management.
The preamble of Order 15554-A/2025 emphasizes the significance of the 2018 amendment to the Landfill Directive, which imposed stricter controls on landfilling and set a target of reducing landfill municipal waste to a maximum of 10% by 2035. Portugal transposed this target into its legislation through the RGGR and integrated it into the following strategic instruments: 2030 NATIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN (PNGR 2030), 2030 National Urban Waste Plan (PERSU 2030) and 2030 Strategic Plan for Non-Urban Waste (PERNU 2030).
The Portuguese Government highlights that landfill tax rates in Portugal are substantially lower than those in most EU Member States. Consequently, Order 15554-A/2025 stipulates that, starting January 1, 2026, the WMF per tonne will be updated annually. Specifically, the fee will increase by €5 per tonne each year over the rate established for the preceding year, covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
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