Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento highlights Portugal's historic 0.7% budget surplus in 2025, driven by strong employment and social security contributions, while cautioning about the fiscal challenges and uncertainties ahead for 2026.
Sarmento's five warnings for the 2026 public accounts following a “historic result” in 2025

Context & Explainers
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is Portugal’s Finance Minister who gave a hearing before the Budget, Finance and Public Administration Committee about fiscal measures affecting housing. His remarks matter to expats because finance ministry decisions — like exemptions and public guarantees for young homebuyers — influence the property market, taxes and programmes that can affect housing affordability.
Portugal recorded a budget surplus of 0.7% of Gross Domestic Product (Produto Interno Bruto or PIB) in 2023, a result the government describes as historic. This performance is notably stronger than the Eurozone average deficit of 3.6%, as well as deficits in France (5.5%), the UK (6.0%), and the United States (6.3%). The surplus helps the country reduce its public debt, though officials warn of future economic uncertainty.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- The economy's ability to create jobs continues to lead the State to surpluses6:18am, 27 Mar 2026 • Público
- It is a good principle for governments to do everything possible to have a budget surplus12:32am, 27 Mar 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- The (dis)enchantment with public accounts12:30am, 27 Mar 2026 • Correio da Manhã
- Deficit: Government celebrates victory over Mário Centeno11:23pm, 26 Mar 2026 • Público
- Budgetary 'brilliant performance' achieved with record social security contributions and deep cuts to planned investment10:40pm, 26 Mar 2026 • Diário de Notícias
- Seven answers regarding the 2025 state surplus10:00pm, 26 Mar 2026 • Observador






