In a statement, ZERO - Sustainable Earth System Association reveals that the objective achieved this year “is truly what is desired on a European scale within the framework of the European Ecological Pact, in particular within the scope of the Zero Pollution Action Plan”.

This year, 81 Zero Pollution beaches were recognised across the country, in 39 municipalities, which represents 12% of the total of 673 existing bathing spots.

Of the 81 beaches identified, 55 are located on the mainland, 20 in the Azores and six in Madeira.

Compared to 2024, when 59 beaches were recognized, there was a 3% increase in representation.

In terms of balance, compared to last year, 19 beaches were removed from the list and 41 new ones were added.

The municipalities with the highest number of Zero Beaches are Torres Vedras (11 beaches), in the district of Lisbon, Grândola (seven beaches), in the district of Setúbal, and Alcobaça (four beaches), in the district of Leiria.


Zero highlights the classification of two inland beaches, Alqueidão and Montes, both located in the municipality of Tomar, district of Santarém.

“It is worth noting that it is extremely difficult to obtain an unblemished record over three years in inland bathing areas, which are much more susceptible to microbiological pollution. With the exception of two inland beaches, all the other beaches are coastal,” says the association.

Zero also highlights the fact that the municipalities of Angra do Heroísmo (Azores), Grândola (Setúbal), Ílhavo (Aveiro), Lajes das Flores (Azores), Lourinhã (Leiria), Olhão (Faro), Peniche (Leiria), Santa Cruz (Madeira), Santiago do Cacém (Setúbal), Sines (Setúbal), Tomar (Santarém) and Torres Vedras (Lisbon) have joined the list of municipalities with at least one Zero Pollution Beach.

The municipalities of Leiria, Machico (Madeira), Pombal (Leiria district) and Santa Cruz das Flores (Azores) are no longer represented.

Two days before the start of the beach year, on Sunday, Zero issues some warnings to entities and bathers.

“For environmental and safety reasons, only beaches classified as bathing areas should be visited, where the water quality is known and where there is surveillance. No waste should be left on the beach and, whenever possible, it should be disposed of through selective collection and the landscape and ecosystems surrounding the bathing areas should be preserved, avoiding trampling on dunes and other sensitive areas”.

A Zero Pollution beach is so named based on data from the Portuguese Environment Agency, which identifies beaches that, over the last three bathing seasons (in this case, 2021, 2022 and 2023), not only always had an “excellent” rating but also presented values ​​of zero or below the detection limit in all analyses carried out in the two microbiological parameters controlled and provided for in the legislation (Escherichia coli and intestinal Enterococci).