The President of the Republic has signed the Government’s decree approving the Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain for the construction of an international bridge over the Guadiana River, connecting the towns of Alcoutim (Portugal) and Sanlúcar de Guadiana (Spain), signed in Faro on October 23, 2024.
Approved at the Council of Ministers meeting on January 9, the decree ratifies the agreement reached at the XXXV Luso-Spanish Summit between the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain for the construction of the international bridge over the Guadiana River. The ratification by Spanish authorities is now awaited.
Aimed at promoting the dynamism of cross-border regions, improving accessibility between the two countries, enhancing population well-being, and fostering economic development, this project will be spearheaded by the Municipality of Alcoutim. It represents an investment exceeding 15 million euros, with Portugal having included its funding in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
Since the signing of the contract between the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve) — the intermediary beneficiary — and the Municipality of Alcoutim — the final beneficiary — the Municipal Council of Alcoutim has already prepared the execution project and conducted environmental assessment studies. Procedures related to the commencement of construction and its supervision are also ready.
Originally, this investment was identified as a project of common interest at the 1992 Luso-Spanish Summit and included in the 1995 INTERREG program but did not proceed at the time due to financing issues. With the PRR, Portugal has listed this investment among projects eligible for European funding, to be completed by June 30, 2026. The approval of the agreement by the authorities of the Kingdom of Spain is now pending.
