Latest news and stories about cost of living in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Portugal has launched the 'Volta' deposit return scheme, adding a 10-cent surcharge to plastic bottles and cans to boost recycling rates to 90% by 2029, though early public feedback highlights concerns over system efficiency and accessibility.
A section of a newspaper or publication where readers' letters are published.
The Casa para Viver platform is petitioning the President of Portugal to declare the housing crisis a national emergency, advocating for rent controls and eviction protections ahead of nationwide protests.
Leader of Chega, Ventura, has called on the Government to return the additional VAT revenue generated from the recent rise in fuel prices, emphasizing the need to differentiate between individuals and businesses. He criticized the Government's response to the fuel price crisis, particularly the insufficient discount on road diesel, and plans to push for an urgent debate in the Assembly of the Republic.
Chega plans to propose the reinstatement of zero VAT on essential goods, a measure they aim to limit until the end of the year. Additionally, the party is advocating for further government action to reduce fuel taxes.
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.
Reported house prices rose 16% year‑on‑year, but the data provided appears inconsistent: the body states prices reached €2,111 per square metre in Q3 last year, while the headline claims €5,000 per square metre in Lisbon. This likely reflects different measures or geographies (national average vs Lisbon city centre, asking vs transaction prices). Verify source breakdowns and timing; implications include tighter affordability, stronger expat/investor demand in Lisbon, and amplified regional divergence in the housing market.
After Lisbon and Porto urban lines were opened to the possibility of sub‑concession, the mayor of Cascais has proposed that Cascais — together with Oeiras and Lisbon — take over management of the Cascais suburban line and make train journeys within the municipality free for residents, workers and students. The proposal reframes the sub‑concession debate as an opportunity for local control but raises practical questions about funding the revenue shortfall, coordinating services across municipalities, the legal and contractual steps required, and the potential impacts on ridership, local traffic and equity.
River transport services between the south bank of the Tagus and Lisbon are operating normally this Thursday, April 30, without disruption after the union cancelled a workers' plenary session scheduled for the afternoon, Transtejo Soflusa announced. The company had previously warned of potential constraints on regular services between 14:30 and 17:30 at the Cais do Sodré river station due to the meeting. The FECTRANS union federation continues to argue that the company's salary increase proposal, based on government guidelines for state-owned enterprises, is insufficient given the rising cost of living.
Free transport on Carris, rent exemptions, and free school meals are some of the measures. Moedas disagrees and calls for a national or European Union response.
Avenida da Liberdade remained completely full nearly three hours after the start of the parade in Lisbon, amidst protests against the cost of living, the proliferation of conflicts, and populist threats.
The President of the Republic calls for the fulfilment of April, especially in the fight against inequalities. Furthermore, Iran guarantees that there will be no negotiations with the US for now, this weekend in Islamabad.
The median value of houses sold in Portugal reached 2,076 euros per square metre throughout 2025, the highest price ever recorded by the INE. There were increases in all regions of the country.
Median housing prices rose 16.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year, to 2,076 euros/m2, with Greater Lisbon exceeding the national average by 1,363 euros/m2, according to data released this Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). Taking as a reference the 164,677 house sales carried out during the year of...
The secretary-general of the PCP argued, during a session with students in Lisbon, that labour and housing reforms are worsening precariousness for young people and called for mobilisation against the executive.
At issue is the Government's decision to reduce the extraordinary ISP discount on diesel by 1.5 cents.
The green rail pass has generated over 20 million euros in revenue for CP since its introduction in October 2024, with more than one million passes sold, the Government announced this Monday, the 20th. About 84% of customers purchase and top up the pass through digital channels, such as the app and online ticket office, the Minister of Infrastructure announced today. 'The sale of one million passes confirms the trust of the Portuguese people in CP as a public operator committed to sustainable, modern, and customer-focused mobility,' said Miguel Pinto Luz during the presentation of the green rail pass report at Santa Apolónia train station in Lisbon. According to the latest data from last March, nearly 70,000 active monthly passes were recorded. 'We will continue to focus on the digital experience and service quality, positioning the train as a central piece of mobility. These results are only possible thanks to the professionalism, commitment, and innovation of the workers,' the minister added. The green rail pass came into effect on October 21, 2024, at a cost of 20 euros per month, allowing travel on all CP trains, except for the Alfa Pendular and urban trains already covered by intermodal passes. CP will spend 72.3 million euros by 2036 on fleet maintenance and repair.
The current president of Kyndryl built his career in consulting and reached the top in an international role. It was in that position that he realised that success, happiness, and personal fulfilment do not always go hand in hand. José Gonçalves is the guest on this episode of the podcast 'O CEO é o limite'.
João Cília, CEO of Porta da Frente Christie’s, warns that Portugal builds only 25,000 new homes annually against a need for 70,000, causing supply shortages across all segments, including luxury. High-end supply has dropped by nearly 25% since 2021, driving prices up by 8.5% last year. Growth in the luxury sector is hindered by a lack of available property in prime locations like Lisbon and Cascais, though expansion is occurring in areas near the Algarve's 'Golden Triangle' and the coast towards Sines. Despite geopolitical tensions, Cília remains optimistic for 2026, citing strong domestic demand supported by falling interest rates and continued interest from international investors, particularly from Brazil and the US.
Traders point to the rise in fuel prices as the biggest difficulty.
Luís Montenegro is expected to be confronted by opposition parties regarding the state of negotiations currently reviewing labour law. A social dialogue meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro returns to parliament this Wednesday for a fortnightly debate where the opposition is expected to raise issues including labour law reform, the international economic climate, inflation, and the government's relationship with journalists. The debate will cover topics such as the PS party's concerns over a government contract with NewsWhip, which they fear may be used to monitor journalists, as well as ongoing disputes regarding the cost of living and the government's progress on labour legislation, which is nearing a final decision despite resistance from some social partners.
The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, received the Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, at the Belém Palace.
Paulo Raimundo commented on the progress of negotiations within the social concertation regarding the revision of the labour law.
Due to the war, the Portuguese are spending less money on Santa Casa games. In an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios, the Provedor of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), Paulo Sousa, reveals that there was a 40 million euro drop in game sales, linked to how the war has affected purchasing power.
Due to the war, the Portuguese are spending less money on Santa Casa games. In an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios, the Provedor of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), Paulo Sousa, reveals that there was a 40 million euro drop in game sales, linked to how the war has affected purchasing power.
EPAL's profit rose by 11.9% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching a record 66.1 million euros, during a year in which it invested 28.4 million, primarily in the modernisation of critical infrastructure, renewable energy, and digitalisation. The company stated that the 2025 annual report and accounts were approved, noting historical results despite operational challenges such as the April power outage. Turnover increased by 5.4% to 196.6 million euros due to higher demand and a growing customer base. EBITDA rose by 9.8% to 117.6 million euros, and bank liabilities decreased by approximately 22%. Additionally, EPAL announced a water price increase of 20 cents per month starting this Wednesday.
