Back to map
Portugal
ISO: PT · Updated 2026-02-18 by cloudbot (CERBERUS Daily Scan)
15
Cases
7
Periods
unknown: 9investigation: 1ongoing: 3exposed: 1convicted: 1
Key Entities
António Costa (former PM, resigned 2023)José Sócrates (former PM, on trial)Vítor Escária (Costa's chief of staff)Cavaco Silva (former President, BPN link)Ricardo Salgado (BES)Manuel Godinho (Face Oculta)Various construction magnates
ACTIVE CASES (2023-2026)(5)
🆕 TI CPI 2025: Portugal Drops to 56/100 — Four-Year Decline
2025unknown
- Status: SYSTEMIC DECLINE Date: February 10-13, 2026
- Portugal scored on Transparency International's CPI 2025
- Confirms in corruption perceptions
- Intensifying decline attributed to:
TI Portugal Criticizes Government - "Fudge and Waffle"
February 12, 2026unknown
- Status: SYSTEMIC CONCERN Date: February 12, 2026
- Transparency International Portugal calls out government for corruption "fudge and waffle"
- Contesting Ministry of Justice's self-assessment on anti-corruption policies
- (should already be in place)
🆕 Ordem dos Médicos (Medical Association) Contract Fraud
February 2026investigation
- PJ (Judicial Police) searched Medical Association HQ in Lisbon and Coimbra regional section
- Unidade Nacional de Combate à Corrupção (National Anti-Corruption Unit)
- €2.1 million in illegal direct award contracts violating public contracting rules
- Anonymous 2021 complaint triggered investigation and Tribunal de Contas audit (completed Dec 2023)
Operation Influencer / PM Costa Resignation
November 2023 - ongoingongoing
- Status: MAJOR - LED TO PM RESIGNATION Date: November 2023 - ongoing
- PM António Costa resigned after corruption investigation announced
- Searches at government offices, PM's chief of staff's home
- Investigation into lithium mining contracts, green hydrogen projects
José Sócrates Case (Operation Marquis)
2014-2026ongoing
- Former PM (2005-2011) charged with corruption, money laundering
- Sócrates arrested (money laundering, tax avoidance)
- 19 people, 9 firms indicted
- Alleged €34 million in bribes from businessmen (2006-2015)
Pre-2000 (Historical)(1)
Early Post-Revolution Period
unknown
- Democratic transition (1974 Carnation Revolution)
- Early banking sector issues
2000-2010(4)
Operation Marquis Origins
unknown
- PM José Sócrates allegedly receiving payments (2006-2015)
- Alliance with Ricardo Salgado (BES CEO)
- Portugal Telecom deals benefiting Espírito Santo group (~€8B)
BPN Bank Scandal
unknown
- President Cavaco Silva major shareholder
- Bank went bankrupt
- Public humiliation of sitting president
Face Oculta (Hidden Face) (2009-2010)
2009-2010exposed
- Influence peddling scandal
- Manuel Godinho (businessman) central figure
- Wiretaps revealed political connections
- José Sócrates implicated (separate case)
Freeport Case
unknown
- Shopping center development
- Allegations against Sócrates (when PM)
- Environmental permits controversy
2010-2020(4)
Banco Espírito Santo (BES) Collapse (2014)
2014unknown
- One of Portugal's largest banks
- Ricardo Salgado (CEO) central figure - fraud charges
- Massive financial scandal
- €4 billion state bailout required
Casa Pia Scandal (2002-2010)
2002-2010convicted
- Child abuse scandal
- Cover-up allegations involving elites
- Multiple convictions
Golden Visa Concerns
unknown
- Residency-for-investment program
- Money laundering risks
- Eventually restricted (2023)
Justice System Issues
unknown
- Slow prosecution pace criticized
- Complex financial cases drag on for years
- Portugal notorious for 3+ years to charge
2020-Present(1)
Ongoing Cases
ongoing
- Sócrates money laundering trial continues
- Operation Influencer investigation (see Active Cases)
- BES aftermath cases
- Various local corruption probes
Entity Profiles
Sources
- Reuters
- The Guardian
- Politico
- OCCRP
- Público (publico.pt)
- Observador (observador.pt)
- Expresso (expresso.pt)
- Lusa (lusa.pt)
- RTP (rtp.pt)