Fitch Ratings has upgraded Portugal's sovereign debt rating from A to A+, citing strengthened public finances and a projected decline in government debt. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento welcomed the decision as a sign of international confidence in the Portuguese economy. The agency projects economic growth of 2.1% for 2026, supported by primary surpluses and investment.
Fitch upgrades Portugal's sovereign debt rating to A+
Saturday, 5 September 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
- Minister of State and Finance (2024–present)
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata
- Background: Economist, university professor (ISEG)
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is Portugal's Finance Minister in the AD government led by Luís Montenegro. An economist and professor at ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics & Management), he served as PSD parliamentary group leader before joining the government.
As Finance Minister, he oversees the state budget, tax policy, public debt management, and fiscal relations with the EU. His decisions on tax brackets, IRS withholding tables, housing incentives, and public spending directly affect residents' cost of living and investment climate.
4 sources
- Government says rating upgrade is “another step in credibility and confidence” for the countrypublico.pt ·
- Government says credit rating upgrade is a step towards credibilityobservador.pt ·
- Fitch Lifts Portugal to A+ as Debt Outlook Brightensfinance.biggo.com ·
- Falling debt leads Fitch to reward Portugal with an A+ ratingSAPO ·
