According to reporting by The Guardian, the ruling found that Portugal committed a “serious infringement” of EU environmental legislation by failing to implement conservation measures required under the bloc’s biodiversity protection rules. The case relates to Portugal’s long-standing failure to properly designate and manage protected natural habitats across the country.

 

In its judgment, the court said Portugal had not complied with earlier rulings requiring it to protect 61 sites of ecological importance, many of which form part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network, a continent-wide system of protected habitats aimed at safeguarding threatened wildlife and ecosystems.

 

The court stated that Portugal had failed to adopt the necessary conservation measures and had not properly designated the areas as Special Areas of Conservation as required under the EU Habitats Directive. The directive obliges member states to protect natural habitats and species by implementing targeted conservation plans.

 

In a statement accompanying the ruling, the court said Portugal’s failure to act constituted “particularly serious infringements of EU environmental law” and warned that biodiversity protection was a key priority for the European Union.

 

Judges also noted that Portugal hosts rich biodiversity, including dozens of protected habitat types and hundreds of species covered by EU law, making the protection of these sites critical to Europe’s environmental heritage.

 

Alongside the lump-sum fine, the court imposed an additional daily penalty of €41,250 until Portugal fully complies with the earlier judgment and implements adequate conservation measures.

 

EU authorities first found Portugal in breach of environmental obligations in 2019, ruling that the country had failed to designate and protect dozens of environmentally sensitive areas within the legally required timeframe.

 

A spokesperson for the Portuguese government said authorities were reviewing the judgment and reiterated that the country remains committed to strengthening biodiversity protection and meeting EU environmental obligations.

 

The ruling underscores growing pressure from EU institutions to ensure member states fully enforce environmental laws aimed at preserving biodiversity across the bloc.