The Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal or BdP) is advising customers to contact their banks if they face difficulties resuming home loan payments. The moratorium, which allowed for a temporary suspension of payments for families affected by severe weather, officially ends on April 28.

BPI currently holds 30% of the public guarantees issued under a government program that allows young people up to age 35 to secure 100% financing for their first home. The government authorized 18 credit institutions to participate in this protocol, which officially began in December 2024.

Fuel prices will shift starting next week, with petrol expected to rise by 2.5 to 3.5 cents per litre. Conversely, diesel prices are set to decrease, with estimates ranging from a 0.9-cent drop to a 4-cent reduction according to the Automóvel Club de Portugal (Automóvel Club de Portugal or ACP). These fluctuations reflect market trends and recent government adjustments to fuel discounts.

Electricity prices in the Iberian market are expected to remain stable due to the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly hydroelectric power. Pedro Amaral Jorge, president of the Iberian Electricity Market (Mercado Ibérico de Eletricidade or MIBEL), stated that the focus is on increasing price predictability for consumers. He also argued against taxing extraordinary corporate profits.

Fuel prices will fluctuate starting Monday, April 27, with diesel expected to decrease by 3.2 cents per litre following a government tax discount adjustment. Petrol prices are forecast to rise by 2.5 cents per litre. These figures are estimates from the Automobile Club of Portugal (Automóvel Club de Portugal or ACP) and may vary by location and gas station.

Update: Government reduces diesel tax discount

The government has officially decided to reduce the planned tax discount on diesel. Consequently, the price per litre will drop by 3.2 cents instead of the originally anticipated four-cent decrease. The tax discount for petrol remains unchanged, confirming the expected 2.5-cent increase per litre.

Municipalities affected by recent severe weather have requested that the government extend economic and employment support measures for an additional 60 days. A formal request has been sent to the Minister of Finance to keep these protections in place until the end of June.

Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated that the government intends to reduce state interference in the private sector. The minister argued that the state should focus on providing infrastructure and cutting regulatory burdens to allow companies to innovate and grow.

The trade union federation CGTP is demanding urgent government intervention to control the prices of essential goods and fuel. The union reports that the cost of living has risen significantly, placing a heavy burden on workers and pensioners.

The Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira or AT) will restore benefits to taxpayers whose disability ratings were reviewed to below 60% before the end of 2023. This decision follows recent court rulings that challenged the progressive loss of tax benefits for individuals with disabilities.

Housing prices in Portugal continue to climb, with the average cost of a home reaching 242,399 euros in 2025. While the market for used properties remains dominant, new construction has surpassed 300,000 euros on average, representing a strategic but premium segment of the real estate market.

Swedish manufacturer Saab is exploring the possibility of assembling components for its Gripen E/F fighter jets in Portugal as part of its bid to replace the Portuguese Air Force's aging F-16 fleet. The company already collaborates with Portuguese firms like Critical Software and OGMA on technology and maintenance. Saab officials argue that this partnership would strengthen Portugal's digital sovereignty and industrial capabilities.

The Portuguese government has officially invited the Lufthansa Group and Air France-KLM to submit binding proposals for the acquisition of a minority stake in the national carrier, TAP Air Portugal (TAP). Lufthansa has confirmed its strong interest, describing the airline as a strategic asset and promising a competitive offer. This invitation marks a significant step forward in the privatization process for the state-owned company.

The value of gold reserves held by the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal or BdP) rose by 46% in 2025, reaching 45 billion euros despite the quantity of gold remaining unchanged at 382.7 tonnes. While the central bank's total balance sheet grew to 211 billion euros, it reported a loss of 304 million euros for the year, which was covered by accumulated provisions. Governor Álvaro Santos Pereira noted that the national banking sector remains stable and continues to reduce debt levels.

The cost of an essential food basket containing 63 products has reached a new record of 260.89 euros, according to the consumer protection organization Deco Proteste. This marks the seventh consecutive week of price increases, with the basket becoming 1.37 euros more expensive than the previous week. The current price is the highest recorded since the organization began monitoring these costs in January 2022.

The state-owned company Infraestruturas de Portugal (Infraestruturas de Portugal or IP) recorded a net profit of 135 million euros in 2025, the highest value since its creation in 2015. This 8.8% increase occurred despite a reduction in toll revenue following the end of certain toll-free road schemes (SCUT). Meanwhile, the government has selected Paulo Carmona, the current director-general of the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia or DGEG), to serve as the next president of the company.

Approximately 7,400 families and companies affected by recent severe weather have joined government-decreed bank moratoriums. Deputy Governor of the Bank of Portugal (Banco de Portugal or BdP) Clara Raposo confirmed that the total credit amount covered by these measures reached 930 million euros by the end of March.

The number of unemployed people registered with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional or IEFP) fell by 10.2% in March compared to the same month last year. Data shows 295,756 individuals were registered at the end of March, marking a 3.1% decrease from February. The most significant reductions occurred in the North, Azores, and Madeira regions.

Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro recently accused the government of overseeing the second-highest tax burden in 15 years. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro disputed the claim during a parliamentary debate. Official data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE) confirms the tax burden, defined as the weight of tax and social contribution revenues in the GDP, reached 35.4% in 2025.

Portugal's year-on-year inflation reached 2.7% in March 2026, up from 2.1% in February, primarily driven by a 5.8% surge in energy prices. This spike, linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, accounts for over half of the total inflation increase. While the broader Eurozone labour market is expected to remain resilient, the rising cost of living remains a significant concern for the national economy.

Taxpayers can now validate invoices for books and show tickets on the e-Fatura portal to qualify for tax deductions. These cultural expenses will be applicable to the 2026 income tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares or IRS) declaration. The portal now features specific icons to help users categorize these purchases correctly.

The sale of the Tupperware factory in Montalvo, Santarém, remains ongoing after initial purchase offers failed to meet the required 10 million euro minimum. The insolvency administrator, Jorge Calvete, confirmed that the sales process will proceed despite the lack of successful bids. The factory's future remains uncertain as the search for a buyer continues.

The government is reducing the extraordinary tax discount on diesel by 1.5 cents per liter, while maintaining the current discount for unleaded petrol. This adjustment, published in the Diário da República, follows an expected significant decrease in diesel prices for the coming week. The move aims to balance fuel costs for consumers while managing the temporary tax relief measures.

Portugal's real estate market saw a historic milestone at the end of 2025, with house prices rising by 18.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. According to the National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE), the average annual growth reached 17.6%, with sales transactions approaching 170,000 units. Despite this record appreciation, bank valuation data from early 2026 suggests the market remains on a strong upward trajectory.

Global oil prices fell significantly on Friday following the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened to commercial traffic. While European stock markets saw gains, the Lisbon stock index, the PSI, fell as energy companies like Galp experienced an abrupt correction in share prices. The reopening follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, though the long-term stability of the route remains a focus for investors.

The latest DN/Aximage Barometer shows the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) leading voting intentions at 30.6%, followed by the PSD-CDS coalition and Chega. The poll highlights growing public dissatisfaction with the government, which received a 54% negative rating. Meanwhile, the Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda or BE) has criticized the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) for supporting Chega candidates for parliamentary oversight bodies.

The Portuguese Association of Insurers (APS) announced that insurance companies have paid 359 million euros in compensation for damages caused by severe storms in January and February. Total covered damages are projected to reach 1.086 billion euros, with over 100,000 claims already processed or partially settled. The storms caused significant destruction across the central zone of the country.

Nazaré Costa Cabral, president of the CFP, has publicly criticized Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento for comments she described as offensive and unfair. The dispute follows the minister's questioning of the institution's technical independence and credibility regarding its budget forecasts.

The Public Finance Council (Conselho das Finanças Públicas or CFP) has revised its 2026 economic outlook, now projecting a slight budget surplus of 0.1% of GDP. While the institution lowered its growth forecast to 1.6% due to external pressures, including energy price volatility, it remains more optimistic than the government's previous deficit projections.

The cost of an essential basket of 63 products has reached a new record of 259.52 euros, according to data from the consumer protection organization Deco PROteste. This marks the sixth consecutive week of price increases, driven largely by rising energy costs.

Global oil prices have climbed above 100 dollars per barrel following a US-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move, announced by Donald Trump, aims to restrict Iranian oil revenues amid collapsing diplomatic negotiations. The situation has triggered significant market uncertainty and increased costs for energy and consumer goods in Portugal.

The Central Administrative Court South has ruled that the sale of inherited properties before the estate is divided is subject to capital gains tax. This decision contradicts a previous stance by the Supreme Administrative Court, which generally exempted undivided inheritances from such taxation.

The gambling sector in Portugal reached record revenues of 2.705 billion euros in 2025, largely driven by a 12% increase in online gaming and sports betting. While online platforms saw significant growth, physical casinos and bingo halls experienced a decline in activity. On average, each Portuguese player spent 270 euros on these activities last year.

The Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) is investigating Eurico Castro Alves, the surgery director at Hospital de Santo António in Porto, for allegedly receiving 179,000 euros in irregular commissions. The payments were linked to surgeries performed outside normal working hours under the Integrated System for Management of Waiting Lists for Surgery (Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Inscritos para Cirurgia or SIGIC). While the IGAS report deems the payments irregular, both the doctor and the local health unit maintain that the compensation was legal.

The Portuguese aerospace and defence sectors, represented by the AED Cluster, exported 92% of their production last year and expect growth exceeding 10% in 2025. The sector, which generated 2.1 billion euros in 2024, is increasingly targeting the United States and the Middle East as strategic markets.

A recent conclusion from the Advocate General of the European Union regarding case C-70/25 suggests that banks may no longer use 'gross negligence' as a blanket defense to deny reimbursement for digital fraud. The opinion argues that financial institutions should be required to reimburse unauthorized transactions immediately, shifting the burden of proof onto the banks if they wish to pursue claims of customer negligence.

Data from the European statistical office, Eurostat, shows that Portugal led the eurozone in housing price growth during 2025. Property prices in the country rose by 17.6% over the year, marking the highest increase among all member states in the currency bloc.

The Council of Ministers approved a 600 million euro credit line, titled Portugal Energy Resilience, to assist companies struggling with rising energy costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The measure includes a one-year grace period and aims to provide immediate financial support to businesses facing supply chain pressures. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to mitigate the economic impact of international instability.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that the government will respond with balance to the economic situation caused by the war in the Middle East. He emphasized that the administration is prepared to sacrifice budgetary results if necessary to address the crisis, noting that he has no obsession with maintaining surpluses. Montenegro warned against adopting superficial measures that fail to provide long-term solutions.

Shares of the Portuguese energy company Galp fell nearly 8% on Wednesday following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. The deal, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, caused a broad decline in oil company stocks across European markets. While European indices saw gains, the Portuguese PSI index remained relatively flat due to the impact of the energy sector's performance.