What happened and what is called
| Date | Strike | Effect in Porto | Status on 26 October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today and November | No general strike called | Normal operation | Nothing announced |
| 11 November | Possible "Iberian general strike" (rumour) | No confirmed effect in Portugal | Not confirmed; the 11 November general strike is Spanish |
| 30 October | CP sector strike (SFRCI) | Trains possibly affected | See the CP page |
| 3 June 2026 (past) | CGTP general strike | CP: 235 of 1,061 trains cancelled before 7 pm; Metro do Porto with only the yellow line and the Senhora da Hora-Estádio do Dragão trunk; STCP with no minimum service | Shows the effect of a general strike |
| 11 December 2025 (past) | Joint CGTP and UGT general strike | TAP planned to run a third of its flights | The first joint one since 2013 |
How a general strike works in Portugal
- Notice: 10 working days in public transport; the union gives it to the Labour Ministry and the press reports it.
- Minimum services: without agreement, an arbitration court sets them a few days before; percentages vary by company.
- Who joins: CP, Metro do Porto, STCP, the airport, and sometimes schools and hospitals.
- Where to look: cp.pt, metrodoporto.pt, stcp.pt, Porto airport and the Portuguese press.
Rights and refunds
- Train: refund or free exchange of CP tickets (on cp.pt or in the app, at least 15 minutes before departure) and, under EU regulation 2021/782, rerouting.
- Plane: refund or replacement flight and care always; the 250-600 euro compensation depends on who strikes.
- Hotel and excursions: read the cancellation terms; prefer free-cancellation rates.
- Evidence: keep tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the strike notice.
What to do in Porto on a general strike day
The centre, the Ribeira and the Douro banks are best seen on foot, with hills. A guided walking tour of the historic centre does not depend on public transport: pick a meeting point at the Ribeira or Aliados. To get in or out of the city, book a transfer in advance: Porto airport transfer. See also Strikes and disruptions in Porto and Portugal, the CP strike, the TAP and airport strike and Porto in winter: what to do.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — Here, the strikes are by third parties. An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Portugal: 3 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the general strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Areas to avoid on protest days: avenida dos Aliados, praça da Liberdade.
- Outing away from the marches: Douro Valley with boat trip and tasting, day trip, far from the squares where people march.
- Airport transfer: transfer from Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro) airport, no train, metro or bus to catch.
- Calm hotel, free cancellation: hotels in Foz do Douro, quiet area, refundable if your plans change.
FAQ
Is there a general strike in Portugal right now?
As of 26 October 2026 none is called. The last was on 3 June 2026.
Does the Porto metro run during a general strike?
Partly: on 3 June only the yellow line and the common trunk between Senhora da Hora and Estádio do Dragão ran, at reduced frequency.
How far ahead is a general strike announced?
The legal notice in transport is 10 working days; minimum services are known a few days before.
Sources consulted on 26 October 2026: Rádio Renascença (2 June 2026), ECO (2 June and 18 May), Observador (1 June), RTP and Rádio Renascença (December 2025), Infobae (22 October, unconfirmed Iberian strike rumour). This page will be updated if a strike is called.
