On 1 August 2026, the Portuguese national government announced its rejection of proposed amendments to the Lisboa Circle Line metro project that would have preserved through-running service from the Yellow Line’s northern branch at Odivelas directly into the city centre. The government declined this alteration due to an estimated additional cost of €10 million, confirming the current operational routing will remain.
Circle Line Project Background and Route
The Lisboa Circle Line metro project, initiated in 2017, is designed to link the inner segments of the existing Green and Yellow lines through a new 1.9 km rail connection between the Yellow Line terminus at Rato and the
Green Line terminus at Cais do Sodré. Completion of this link will establish a circular route around the inner city, enhancing access to other metro lines, tram networks, and bus services.
Cost Impact, Route Configuration, and Interchange
Following the government’s decision, the Yellow Line’s northern branch to Odivelas will not be integrated into the Circle Line. Instead, it will operate as a standalone route connected to the northwestern stub of the Green Line extending to Telheiras. This combined route will retain the Yellow Line designation. Passengers can interchange between this standalone Yellow Line route and the Circle Line at Campo Grande station, a major northern metropolitan
bus hub. The Circle Line project has suffered multiple delays and cost overruns totaling approximately €380 million.
Opening Timeline and Service Continuity
The Lisboa Circle Line metro is now expected to open in early 2027 as initially planned. The rejection of the through-running proposal means no changes will be made to the originally proposed operation schedule or service patterns. The segmented operation with an interchange at Campo Grande will remain the standard arrangement for passengers traveling from the Odivelas branch to other parts of Lisbon.
