Tribunal de Contas
Published 8 November 2026, 22:53
Tribunal de Contas (TdC) — Portugal's Court of Auditors
A court that checks how public money is spent. Large contracts awarded by the state, municipalities and state companies need its prior approval, known as visto prévio, before work starts; without it the contract cannot go ahead. The court refuses in fewer than 1% of cases, but the check itself takes time and holds up building works.
Where you come across it. News about public procurement, repairs, delays to building works and reform of public administration.
Prior approval is not required while a state of calamity is in force or when the law makes an exception (as it did with PRR money). In 2026 the government proposed raising the threshold above which approval is needed to 10 million euros; this is still under discussion.
Official website: tcontas.pt