Portugal plans major Porto Metro expansion

The Portuguese government has announced plans to study a major expansion of the Porto Metro network, potentially bringing new services to several municipalities south of the city.

By Kam Heskin, in News · 05 Nov 2026, 16:03 · 0 Comments

Infrastructure and Housing Minister Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed on November 4 that he had instructed Metro do Porto to examine extending the network towards Espinho, São João da Madeira, Santa Maria da Feira and Oliveira de Azeméis.

The proposed expansion could make use of the existing Vouga railway corridor, creating a connection from Santo Ovídio in Vila Nova de Gaia to communities further south.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at Porto City Hall, where government and municipal representatives signed several agreements concerning transport infrastructure and urban mobility.

According to Pinto Luz, improving connections to the southern part of the Porto Metropolitan Area could bring approximately 400,000 residents within reach of the metro network.

The minister described the potential expansion as a major opportunity to improve mobility across the wider metropolitan region.

Existing railway could form part of the route

One option under consideration involves using the corridor of the Linha do Vouga, an existing railway that connects Espinho with Sernada do Vouga.

The route already serves several communities included in the government’s proposed expansion, potentially providing a basis for improved public transport connections.

The Porto Metropolitan Area confirmed in its own announcement that studies will examine extending the metro network to São João da Madeira, Oliveira de Azeméis, Santa Maria da Feira and Vale de Cambra.

The inclusion of Vale de Cambra indicates that the government is considering connections beyond the municipalities initially identified in the minister’s proposed route.

However, the precise alignment, stations and type of service have not yet been determined.

The studies will assess whether the existing railway corridor could accommodate the proposed connection and how it might be integrated with the wider transport network.

No construction timetable, estimated project cost or opening date has been announced.

Improving connections beyond Porto

The proposed expansion forms part of a broader discussion about transport links across the Porto Metropolitan Area, which includes municipalities on both sides of the Douro River.

While Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia already benefit from metro connections, communities further south rely on other forms of public transport, including regional railway services and buses.

A new metro connection could provide additional travel options for residents commuting between municipalities, as well as those travelling into Porto for work, education and other activities.

It could also improve access to the wider metropolitan transport network, although journey times and service frequencies will depend on the final design.

The government has identified regional connectivity as an important consideration in future transport planning.

According to the Porto Metropolitan Area, the proposed studies are intended to examine mobility across the wider region rather than concentrating solely on Porto’s urban centre.

The authority said the work should begin shortly, although it has not published a specific starting date.

Other transport agreements announced

The announcement came alongside several cooperation agreements between Porto City Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal, the public company responsible for managing much of the country’s road and railway infrastructure.

These include arrangements concerning the Via de Cintura Interna (VCI), Porto’s principal inner ring road, and studies into proposed eastern and western outer road connections.

The agreements also cover improvements to the EN12, commonly known as the Estrada da Circunvalação, and the potential future use of the former Ramal da Alfândega railway corridor.

These projects are separate from the proposed metro expansion but form part of wider efforts to address transport and accessibility across Porto and its surrounding municipalities.

For residents of Espinho, São João da Madeira, Santa Maria da Feira and Oliveira de Azeméis, the immediate development is the government’s commitment to examine the extension rather than approval of a new service.

Any decision to proceed will depend on the results of the studies and subsequent planning, funding and construction approvals.