3 PM Interest rates unchanged but Lagarde warns that the situation may change in June
The European Central Bank maintains interest rates, but President Christine Lagarde signals a potential shift in policy by June.

Latest news and stories about economy in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Central Bank maintains interest rates, but President Christine Lagarde signals a potential shift in policy by June.

The European Central Bank has decided to maintain current interest rates.

The Portuguese economy grew by 2.3% year-on-year in the first quarter, but stagnated quarter-on-quarter, according to the first estimate announced by the INE.

As of today, the French group BPCE is officially the owner of Novobanco. With the final signing of the contract, involving the buyer and two sellers – the State and the Resolution Fund – a decisive chapter in the history of what was Banco Espírito Santo comes to a close. This is, one could say, the third...

In a period marked by the storms that ravaged the country, affecting mainly the Central region, and the conflict in the Middle East, Portuguese exports of goods fell by 6.4% in the first quarter of this year year-on-year, while imports increased by 2.6%, according to the flash estimate released this Wednesday by the National Statistics Institute...

MEPs have defined their position for negotiations with member states regarding the main values and structure of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.

António Costa Silva predicts a supply crisis if the conflict in the Middle East continues. The former Minister of Economy criticises the excessive bureaucracy in Portugal.

Foreign entities have turned to record volumes of financing in the Chinese currency, the yuan, this year, due to low interest rates and growing demand from Chinese investors for higher-yielding assets, according to data cited by the Financial Times.
Economist Miguel Guimarães, head of the Economics, Finance, and Statistics departments at the Portuguese Insurance Association (APS), passed away at 61 early this Friday following a long illness. Having joined the APS in 1988, he would have marked 38 years of service at the association this year. During his tenure, he conducted extensive work in developing studies and...

The Continente Producers Club (CPC) recorded a purchase volume of 650 million euros last year, having ensured the “regular flow” of more than 281 thousand tonnes of nationally sourced products during that period. The Sonae retailer currently accounts for a total of 366 producers from the north to the south of the country and...


Portugal recorded the fifth highest budget surplus among European Union member states in 2025, according to data reported by Jornal de Negócios.

Around 08:15 in Lisbon, the EuroStoxx 600 was down 0.10% to 621.84 points.

The executive director of the IEA estimates that two years is the time needed to restore pre-war levels of commercial activity.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned this Friday that the European Union could come close to economic recession and see inflation climb to 5% in a scenario where the conflict in the Middle East worsens. In this sense, the institution urges the region to respond to energy shocks through policies targeted at the most vulnerable.

Around 10:30 am in Lisbon, the price of a barrel of North Sea Brent crude for June delivery was down 2.41% to 82.22 euros.

The Portuguese economy recorded an external surplus of 246 million euros up to February, a year-on-year decrease of 488 million euros, the Banco de Portugal (BdP) announced this Friday. According to the central bank, this development was due to factors such as a 215 million euro reduction in the services balance surplus.

The external surplus in Portugal saw a significant decline, reaching 246 million euros during the initial two months of 2026, according to Jornal Económico.

A report highlights the growing wealth gap in Portugal, noting that the bottom 50% of the population controls a minimal share of the country's total assets.

On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings taking place this week in Washington, Álvaro Santos Pereira, Governor of the Banco de Portugal and member of the ECB Governing Council, argued in an interview with CNBC this Thursday that the central bank must act with caution in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and shocks.

The reduction in energy dependence in Portugal has not been enough to shield the Portuguese economy from external shocks, and a new rise in oil prices this year could have an impact similar to the 2022 inflationary crisis. This is the conclusion of a study by Luís Folque, an economist at the Public Finance Council (CFP), who argues...

The Prime Minister guarantees that the Government will continue “seeking an agreement” within the Social Concertation regarding the revision of the labour package. Luís Montenegro stresses that the goal is to make the Portuguese economy more attractive and competitive, while simultaneously ensuring better conditions for companies and workers.

Luís Montenegro reiterates that the executive's goal is to make the Portuguese economy more attractive and competitive.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued this Thursday for a potential temporary suspension of the European Union's Stability and Growth Pact in the event of an intensification of the conflict in Iran, similar to what occurred during the pandemic. 'If there is a new escalation of the conflict in Iran, we will have to seriously consider the possibility of a response...'

The Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry considered that the end of Ryanair's operations to the Azores will represent an “unprecedented shock” to the Azorean economy.

The ranking compiled by Forbes magazine continues to be led by Elon Musk.

Vujcic will be appointed for an eight-year term, starting on 1 June 2026. Mário Centeno was among the candidates for this position, but the Portuguese government ultimately withdrew his candidacy.

The Secretary-General of the PS submitted a strategic motion for the March primaries, prioritising the economy, housing, the NHS, fiscal policy, and combating the far-right.

The leader of the PS says António José Seguro won because he set the right priorities — “health, housing, the economy”.
