Portugal to bring AI into bureaucracy to save time
Under new rules, most activities in Portugal could begin without a licence, with automatic approval granted if authorities fail to respond in time.
The Portuguese government is preparing to bring AI into public administration to accelerate licensing procedures and cut delays, according to State Reform Minister Gonçalo Matias.
Speaking at a World Tourism Day conference in Tróia, he said AI can play a key role in streamlining decision-making while maintaining human oversight at the final stage.
Matias explained that the reform will reallocate staff from routine tasks to work of higher value, while introducing a system of prior notifications.
Under the plan, citizens and businesses in Portugal will be allowed to begin most activities without a licence, with tacit approval granted if the administration fails to respond within set deadlines.
The minister said the reforms will be tied to strict accountability measures, emphasising a ‘trust contract’ between citizens, businesses and the public administration. He argued the initiative will not only speed up processes but also foster greater efficiency and responsibility across government services.
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