Minister of National Defence Nuno Melo defended a 5.8 billion euro investment in the armed forces through the Instrument of Action for European Security (Instrumento de Acção para a Segurança da Europa or SAFE). The government claims the loans are a “unique opportunity” to modernize equipment and cover full life cycles of military assets. Portugal has now reached the NATO target of 2% of GDP in military spending. Taxpayers should note that the government has refuted accusations of a lack of transparency regarding these loans.

The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) has announced a ‑111 million plan to repair coastal damage caused by winter storms. Approximately ‑15 million will be spent before the start of the bathing season (época balnear) in May to restore beach access and infrastructure. Beachgoers should note that nearly half of the planned repairs focus on improving safe access to the shoreline.

Oil prices experienced a record 28% surge following production warnings in the Gulf, with diesel costs rising significantly more than petrol due to market volatility and geopolitical tensions.

The Portuguese have significantly increased their savings rate, reaching 12.5% of disposable income in Q3 2025, the highest in over two decades. However, there is a growing confusion between saving and investing, leading to financial losses for many. This trend highlights a shift in financial behavior among Portuguese households, as they prioritize saving but may not fully understand the implications of their financial decisions.

Fitch has maintained Portugal's sovereign debt rating at 'A' while upgrading the outlook from stable to positive. This decision reflects expectations of a significant decline in public debt relative to GDP, supported by prudent fiscal policies. The agency forecasts a deficit of 0.8% for this year, primarily due to storm-related expenses and increased spending from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Fitch anticipates a budget surplus by 2025 and a gradual decrease in the deficit to 0.5% by 2027, despite potential risks from storm costs. This marks the second positive outlook adjustment for Portugal's rating in a month, following a similar move by S&P.

Portugal and Spain have announced a joint bid to develop an AI gigafactory, with an investment of €8 billion, aiming to enhance their technological capabilities and position in the global innovation market. The project will establish infrastructure in both countries, with Sines in Portugal as a key location, and is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Southern Europe's role in AI development. This initiative reflects a significant political and economic collaboration between the two nations, focusing on equitable resource distribution and fostering a competitive edge in the digital economy.

2025 marked a significant growth year for the wind energy sector, with €45 billion invested in new projects expected to flourish in the future. However, the installation of offshore wind towers has encountered challenges, experiencing the slowest growth rate to date.

The Environmental Fund has mobilised 137 million euros for emergency support following severe storms that impacted the West region. Of this total, 35 million euros will be directed to municipalities and intermunicipal entities affected by the disaster. The National Association of Portuguese Municipalities reported that many areas are still without communications over a month after the storms. Additionally, Parliament has approved a 100% paid lay-off for workers in the affected regions.

Stay informed with live updates on market activities and economic developments for 4 March.

Banco de Fomento plans to place over 20 billion euros in guarantees in the market this year, as stated by the CEO. The initiative comes in response to a slower economy, with a goal to recover losses incurred over the past two years within the next ten months.

The Portuguese real estate market saw record highs in 2025, with prices and transactions on the rise. The five largest real estate agency networks in Portugal reported a significant revenue growth of 24.4%, attributed to an influx of nearly 25,000 house sellers contributing to the booming market.

The Oeiras City Council has approved a significant real estate development at the former Foundry site, which contradicts the foundational principles of New Oeiras.

The consortium led by Engie, which acquired six Douro dams from EDP in 2020, faces potential additional costs due to the Municipal Tax on Property Transfers (IMT) and Stamp Duty (IS). This situation arises if the Tax Authority applies its tax understanding to the deal's various phases, potentially leading to significant financial implications for the consortium.

Buying real estate in Portugal involves more than just a property transaction for international families; it is a strategic decision that encompasses tax implications, succession law, and asset management.

European stock markets and the euro are experiencing declines as oil prices surge due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Iran. US oil prices rose by 8% to $72.40 per barrel, while Brent crude increased by 8.8% to $79.30 per barrel. Natural gas futures in Europe saw a significant rise of over 40% following a production halt by Qatar. Gold prices also increased by 1.2% as investors sought safer assets amid uncertainty. Wall Street opened lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.70%, the Nasdaq down 0.58%, and the S&P 500 down 1.09%. In Europe, while the Lisbon stock exchange remained relatively stable, major markets like Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, and London faced notable declines. The euro fell to $1.1703, down from $1.1817, and also weakened against the pound and yen.

Costs associated with obtaining a municipal construction permit can be deducted when calculating real estate capital gains for income tax (IRS), provided they genuinely enhance the property and are still valid at the time of sale, clarifies the Tax Authority (AT). This allows the fee paid for the urban planning permit to be added to the value of the property, potentially reducing the capital gains tax owed upon sale.

Update: New Guidance on Permit Costs The Tax Authority has released additional guidance stating that homeowners must retain all documentation related to the permits to ensure eligibility for the deductions, emphasizing the importance of proper record-keeping during property transactions.

Azul Empírico, a subsidiary of the Davidson Kempner fund, has proposed a significant investment of 203 million euros to acquire the agricultural company Herdade da Comporta, indicating a strong interest in the agricultural and real estate market in the region.

A scammer involved in cryptocurrency fraud has been placed in preventive detention after stealing 1.5 million euros. Another accomplice, who took over 500,000 euros, faces restrictions including daily check-ins and a ban on financial transactions globally.

The credit rating agency S&P has maintained Portugal's rating at 'A+', while upgrading the outlook from stable to positive. This change is attributed to the resilience of the Portuguese economy and a reduction in public debt. S&P anticipates that Portugal will continue to decrease net public debt, bolstered by effective budget management and strong economic growth, with a projected growth rate of 2.2% in 2026, surpassing the eurozone average. This assessment follows a previous stable rating from DBRS and precedes an upcoming evaluation by Fitch.

The article discusses the detrimental impact of bureaucratic delays and obstacles on economic activity, highlighting findings from a recent INE survey. It identifies the judicial system, licensing, and taxation as the primary barriers to business development, exacerbated by ineffective public policies. The author calls for legislative reforms to address these issues, particularly in the judicial and licensing sectors, to facilitate investment and growth in the economy.

In a week marked by improved weather and strong corporate earnings, the markets reflect a sense of optimism despite ongoing global uncertainties, including potential tariffs from Trump and the prolonged war in Ukraine. Major companies like Millennium BCP, EDP, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos reported record profits, suggesting that the anticipated negative behaviors in response to uncertainty—such as reduced consumption and investment—are not materializing. Instead, the global economy appears to be on a growth trajectory, with companies exceeding expectations. This shift indicates that uncertainty has become normalized, leading to a new market dynamic where decisions and investments are not hindered by fear, ultimately suggesting that uncertainty may be the new bull market.

The municipal council of Loulé has formally acquired 60 housing units for public rental in a €15.1 million investment backed largely by national recovery funds. The public deed was signed The post Loulé buys 60 homes for public housing in €15.1 million deal appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Update: Public deed signed and financing confirmed

The public deed has been signed, formalising the €15.1 million purchase, with the cost largely covered by national recovery funds to secure 60 units for public rental in Loulé.

Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) recorded profits of €1.9 billion in 2025, the highest result ever for the public bank. It will pay a dividend of €1.25 billion to the State, announced this Thursday. The result is up 10% compared to 2024 and has an extraordinary factor that helps to explain ...

Update: Caixa pays record €1.25 billion dividend

CGD will distribute €1.25 billion — roughly 66% of the €1.9 billion profit — to the State, a payment CEO Paulo Macedo described as likely the largest dividend ever in Portuguese banking. The sale of its stake in Águas de Portugal was an extraordinary contributor to the record result.

The article discusses significant updates to the Portugal Golden Visa program, effective February 18, 2026. It outlines new rules that will impact eligibility and investment requirements for foreign investors seeking residency in Portugal. Key changes include adjustments to the types of investments accepted and potential increases in minimum investment amounts. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these updates for prospective applicants, as they may affect the attractiveness of the program. For detailed information on the specific changes and their implications, readers are encouraged to consult the full article.

Update: New Investment Categories Introduced

Recent developments indicate that the updated Golden Visa program will introduce new investment categories, including options for sustainable energy projects and technology startups, aimed at attracting a broader range of investors.

ULS is investing 11 million euros in health units in Elvas, with construction of the new operating theatre at the Hospital de Santa Luzia starting on 2 March and expected to last around 4 months. During this time, surgeries will be conducted at the Hospital de Portalegre.