Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced that Portugal aims to reach the NATO defence spending target of 2% of GDP earlier than planned—potentially as soon as this year—without

undermining the country’s fiscal stability or core social programs.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony at the Palácio da Ajuda in Lisbon, Montenegro revealed that a detailed plan would be completed "in the next few days" and implemented over the coming years. He also pledged to inform the two main opposition parties, Chega and the Socialist Party (PS), ahead of any formal steps.

“I will present at the next NATO summit the advancement of our goal to meet the 2% of GDP target in defence spending, possibly already in 2025,” the Prime Minister said.

He emphasized that the plan will be “realistic” and will not jeopardize essential public services or the country’s fiscal balance. Photo by Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, Wikimedia commons.