As is already the case for those who want to “go fishing”, in 2026 it will be compulsory to get a license in order to be able to run in athletics events, especially those races that many Portuguese cities organize throughout the year.
The Portuguese Athletics Federation (FPA) has approved a measure that makes it essential to obtain a license to take part in national races, whenever the entry fee exceeds five euros, as can be read in the federation’s press release on the “Membership for a day” project:
The measure applies only to athletes not affiliated to the Portuguese Athletics Federation, in the Absolute and Veteran categories. Athletes in the youth age groups, up to under-18, do not pay any fee, but only need to have valid insurance. It should also be noted that athletes affiliated to the FPA do not need any other license. This federative license will only be compulsory for paid, graded athletics events with an entry fee of more than 5 euros. For all events, even if paid for, but with an entry fee of less than 5 euros and no classification, it will not be compulsory to present this license.
The reasons for disagreement
At a time when physical activity is being promoted – more than ever – with personal well-being in mind, this news is going down very badly among all fans of non-professionalized running, especially among those who enjoy this type of activity and who have become accustomed to taking part in one of these races in Portugal almost every weekend.
Two types of licenses
According to the Portuguese Athletics Federation, there are two types of licenses, which include some benefits. These are
- Daily: costs €3 for participants with insurance and €4 for those without insurance;
- Annual: costs €35 (or €36, according to some sources) and includes insurance for the whole year.
According to FPA president Domingos Castro, the benefits include a fuel card and the chance of a voucher from a travel agency.
Reactions to the news of “pay to race”
Race organizers have, for the moment, expressed the most concern, saying that this decision could affect participation in this type of community race. They also complain that, so far, they have not been heard by the FPA.
On the other side of the barricade are the participants in these races, those who are actually going to pay yet another “fee”, which could cause a number of people to drop out, since the prices for taking part in these races are tending to get higher and higher.
For the FPA, this measure follows the trend of making this sporting activity more rigorous and safer.
However, making it more expensive to take part in athletics events clashes head-on with other premises, especially those relating to the promotion of healthier lifestyles, which has been so much preached, from the various governments to private entities.
As we’ve already said, this running license measure will only come into effect from the 2025-2026 sports season, and the digital platform for acquiring these licenses is still being created.