Fitch upgrades Portugal's credit rating to A+

Friday, 4 September 2026AI summary

💶 Finance 🏛️ Government #economic-indicator #investment #economy

Fitch upgrades Portugal's credit rating to A+ — Photo: Expresso

The credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded Portugal's long-term default rating from A to A+, citing improved public finances and a strong commitment to fiscal prudence. The government welcomed the decision as a sign of international investor confidence in the Portuguese economy.

Update: President of the Republic praises rating upgrade

President of the Republic António José Seguro described the upgrade as excellent news for the country, noting that it reflects the importance of stability and responsible governance in Portugal's economic performance.

Context & Explainers

President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
Center-left

António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.

Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.

Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.