Latest news and stories about consumer spending in Portugal for expats and residents.
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 leisure sector recorded the highest growth, with 20% more transactions and a 7% increase in total value moved.
Consumer spending during the summer holiday period saw a 6% increase across Portugal.
Portugal has reached a new high in tourist numbers, yet data indicates a decline in average spending per visitor.
The Santos Populares festivities in Lisbon and Porto recorded more card payments, with a highlight on transactions made during São João, although with a lower average value spent per purchase, according to data released this Monday by the Unicre network. According to the findings of a Unicre report, which analysed payments made on its network...
The Santos Populares festivities in Lisbon and Porto recorded an increase in card payments, particularly during the São João celebrations, although the average spend per transaction decreased, according to data released by UNICRE. While the number of transactions rose in both cities—with Porto seeing a 14.85% increase and Lisbon a 7.41% increase—the average purchase value fell, reflecting more cautious consumer spending. Porto saw a 6.19% rise in total turnover during São João, whereas Lisbon experienced a 4.95% decline in turnover during the Santo António festivities. UNICRE representative Tiago Oom noted that while the events continue to drive local commerce, consumers are becoming more rational in their spending habits.
During the Easter period, SIBS also recorded a shift in family travel.
Around 5 million euros is what the Portuguese spent per day on scratchcards in 2025, for a total of 1.886 billion euros that make the Instant Lottery the most popular game in the country. This segment accounts for 60% of the total sales of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa games – which closed the year...
Maria sells fruit and vegetables and told CMTV that “people are only buying what is necessary”.
Swedish retailer Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) reported a net profit of 704 million Swedish kronor (approximately 65 million euros) for the first fiscal quarter (December-February), a 22% year-on-year increase, the company announced on Thursday, March 26. Net sales reached 49.607 billion Swedish kronor (approximately 4.59 billion euros), a 1% decrease in local currency. Operating profit (EBIT) was 1.512 billion (approximately 140 million euros), a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. Inventory decreased by 16% to 34.608 billion kronor (approximately 3.202 billion euros). H&M stated that good cost control and improved gross margins helped strengthen profitability in a quarter marked by cautious consumer spending and significant currency fluctuations. The main competitor to the Spanish retail group Inditex had 4,050 stores open at the end of February, including 25 in Portugal, a 4% decrease from the previous year. H&M profits rose 4% to 1.1 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
The Portuguese spent 63 million euros per day on online gambling during the last year, according to figures published by the Diário de Notícias (paywall) in Monday's edition. In total, according to data released by the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), the volume of money invested...
Is there a crisis in the restaurant industry? Between declines in consumer spending and rising costs, restaurants are under severe pressure. Chefs and restaurateurs are speaking out. “I foresee a very difficult 2026,” says Rui Paula.
By the third quarter, the cumulative volume of sports bets recorded in 2025 stood at €1,463.8 million.
Portuguese consumers are expected to spend €12.9 billion this year on online products and services, representing a 6.7% increase compared to 2024, according to the 10th edition of the CTT E-Commerce Report, which provides a detailed overview of the evolution of e-commerce in Portugal and Spain.
