The Portuguese government has approved state broadcaster RTP's activity and budget plan for 2026, which includes a voluntary exit scheme for 157 staff members.
Ministers endorsed the document following a second revision triggered by discussions with supervising government departments, while confirming that the monthly audiovisual contribution fee paid by Portuguese households will remain unchanged.
RTP, officially Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, is the state-owned public broadcaster operating national television and radio networks. Its broadcasting operations are funded in part through the CAV tax, a public service contribution fee charged on domestic electricity bills across Portugal.
Financial targets and exit costs
Under the approved financial plan, RTP's total operational costs for 2026 are set at 235.5 million euros. The broadcaster has received authorization to increase operational spending by 9.07 million euros, alongside an allocation of 1.054 million euros dedicated to contracting external studies, legal opinions, projects, and consulting services.
Personnel expenses will total 114 million euros for the year. The government permitted an 8 million euro rise in staffing costs, calculated after deducting the charges associated with replacement hires.
RTP projects a financial deficit of 11.35 million euros in 2026, driven largely by the 12 million euro estimated cost of the voluntary departure scheme scheduled for implementation in October 2026. Official projections indicate that this upfront cost will lead to a significant financial recovery in subsequent years, with final budgetary decisions set to be incorporated into the upcoming national State Budget.
Restructuring plan for public service
Despite granting its authorization, the executive voiced concern regarding the evolution of RTP's operational efficiency ratio. Ministers stated that the public broadcaster must adopt measures to control overall expenditure and align its organizational structure with available financial resources.
The government requires RTP to move forward with a comprehensive Restructuring and Transformation Plan to adapt the broadcaster to its current funding model. This strategic reform will be accompanied by an evaluation of the company's public service obligations and broadcast offerings.
