Stormy debate in Portuguese parliament: Taxis may join Uber and Bolt platforms

On March 12, 2026, the Portuguese parliament held a debate on amending the regulations governing the TVDE sector, aiming for a deep reform of the rules for digital platforms. The main proposal for changes was presented by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), suggesting the integration of the taxi sector into the TVDE system, which would allow taxi drivers to handle orders from apps under terms similar to current platform operators. PSD representatives argued during the session that their goal is to end the long-standing policy of "turning their backs" between the two groups of carriers and to unify market standards. A vote on the presented proposals is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026.

During the debate, there was a sharp exchange of views between the main political forces, with the PSD accusing the Socialist Party (PS) of years of neglect in the legislative process. According to the Social Democrats, the bill revision had been intentionally kept "in a drawer" by their predecessors for a long time, deepening the legal chaos in the passenger transport sector. The PSD emphasized that the amendment is not intended to create new conflicts but to establish fair cooperation frameworks. „Não queremos gerar guerras entre táxis e TVDE” (We do not want to generate wars between taxis and TVDE) — PSD representative via Publico The TVDE sector in Portugal was regulated by the so-called "Uber law" in 2018, which at the time sparked numerous protests from taxi groups. Since then, the industry has been grappling with issues concerning vehicle number limits and driver employment conditions. Previous attempts to amend the regulations were repeatedly postponed by successive governments, leading to the current friction between the interests of traditional taxis and modern digital platforms.

The proposed changes have met with fierce opposition from industry organizations representing TVDE drivers and operators, who warn of the catastrophic consequences of further deregulation. Sector representatives point out that the market is already saturated, and allowing taxis onto platforms without restrictive limits will lead to a drastic drop in income. Associations are warning that the situation for drivers could deteriorate to a level described as "modern slavery," forcing mass layoffs and lowering safety standards. „Já temos mais carros do que clientes” (We already have more cars than customers) — TVDE sector representative via TSF Rádio Notícias Key assumptions of the 2026 TVDE reform: Role of taxis: Separate system of regulation and licensing → Possibility of full integration with digital platforms; Industry relations: Competition based on different legal principles → Unification of operating rules for both groups