A brand-new international bridge over the Sever River is set to transform travel between Portugal and Spain, cutting the road journey between Montalvão and Cedillo by 85 km and boosting the local economy.
The €19.5 million bridge, funded through Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), was agreed at the 25th Iberian Summit in Faro in October 2024 and officially commissioned on 29 December.
Minister of Territorial Cohesion Manuel Castro Almeida said the project will strengthen inland regions, create jobs, and improve connectivity. “Investing in the interior is key to reducing regional disparities and tackling depopulation,” he added.
Nisa Mayor José Dinis Serra described the bridge as a “clear example of collective persistence” by Portuguese and Spanish authorities. He highlighted its long-term benefits: faster travel, stronger cross-border links, and new opportunities for local communities.
The project also includes upgrading nine kilometres of Municipal Road 1139, further improving access in the region. Once complete, the bridge will not only save travel time but also strengthen ties between communities on both sides of the border.
The Portuguese towns where you can buy a house for under €35,000
Access to housing in Portugal is becoming increasingly difficult as house prices reach record growth levels while wages fail to keep pace. However, this reality does not affect the entire country. Inland areas hide municipalities where buying a house can cost less than €35,000.