Portuguese families are struggling with rising inflation and fuel costs, forcing them to reduce consumption and change their shopping habits. From the municipal markets to restaurants, the impact of price increases on food and transport is leading to a significant decline in purchasing power, with many people cutting back on essentials and dining out.
Families cut back at the table to face price hikes: “Prices are sky-high, we can no longer afford a steak and a half”
Saturday, 4 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Inflation measures how much general prices rise over time, usually reported year‑on‑year to compare a month with the same month a year earlier. Portugal’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) estimated January inflation at 1.9% year‑on‑year, down 0.3 percentage points from December, which affects rents, wages and everyday purchasing power for residents.
