Latest news and stories about consumer rights in Portugal for expats and residents.
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 Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público) has issued a warning regarding a phishing campaign targeting TAP Air Portugal customers. Fraudsters are sending emails claiming victims are entitled to flight delay compensation, directing them to a fake website to steal banking credentials. Authorities advise the public to remain vigilant against these social engineering tactics.
The Ministério Público (Public Prosecution Service) is Portugal's independent state prosecution body, responsible for leading criminal investigations, bringing charges, and representing the public interest in court.
The MP operates autonomously from the government and the police, though it directs criminal investigations carried out by the Polícia Judiciária, PSP, and GNR. It is led by the Procurador-Geral da República (Attorney General), who is appointed by the President on the government's proposal.
The MP gets involved in high-profile cases including corruption, financial crime, and incidents of potential institutional negligence. It also defends the legality of government actions and protects citizens' fundamental rights through the courts.
A new decree-law now reinforces the right to be forgotten for individuals who have overcome cancer or other serious illnesses. Under the updated rules, applicants are no longer required to disclose past serious health conditions when taking out insurance associated with housing or consumer credit. The measure aims to prevent discrimination in the financial sector for those in remission.
The right to be forgotten (direito ao esquecimento) is a legal protection that prevents banks and insurance companies from using a person's past medical history, such as cancer or HIV, to deny credit or insurance. In Portugal, this right typically applies ten years after the end of treatment for adults, or five years if the illness occurred before age 21. Residents seeking life insurance or mortgages after recovering from serious illness should be aware of these protections.
A national deposit return scheme for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers up to three liters is now in effect. Consumers pay a 10-cent deposit per item at purchase, which is reimbursed when the empty, intact container is returned to designated collection machines. Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho described the initiative as a major environmental project for the country.
Maria da Graça Carvalho (born 1955) is a Portuguese engineer and politician serving as Minister of Environment and Energy in the AD government. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and had a distinguished academic career at Instituto Superior Técnico, specializing in energy systems and building physics.
She served as a Member of the European Parliament (2009–2024), where she focused on research policy, innovation funding (Horizon 2020/Europe), and energy policy. Before entering politics, she was a scientific advisor to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
As Environment Minister, she oversees Portugal's energy transition, renewable energy expansion, water resources management, climate adaptation, and environmental regulation — portfolios that are central to issues like wildfire prevention, coastal erosion, and meeting EU climate targets.
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.
Portugal is launching a national deposit and refund system for beverage containers, branded as Volta, on April 10. Consumers will pay a ten-cent deposit on single-use bottles and cans, which is refundable upon returning the empty containers to one of over 2,000 collection points. During a four-month transition period, containers with and without the Volta symbol will coexist on store shelves.
Volta is a national deposit and refund system (sistema de depósito e reembolso) for beverage containers launching in Portugal on April 10. It requires consumers to pay a 10-cent deposit on single-use bottles and cans, which is refunded when the empty container is returned to a collection point.
Complaints regarding real estate mediation (mediação imobiliária) reached a historic high in 2025, driven by issues with property reservations and customer service. Many disputes involve the promissory purchase and sale agreement (Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda or CPCV). Those seeking housing should be aware of their rights when dealing with agents and ensure all reservation payments are properly documented.
