Latest news and stories about expat finances in finance in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Observador reports that over the past decade foreign taxpayers in Portugal have become younger and increasingly receive family benefits, with concentrations now in the Lisbon, Faro and Setúbal districts. The shift affects benefit patterns and local public-service demand in those regions. Those advising immigrant households or working in local administrations should note the changing demographic and benefit profile.
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.
Portugal is seeking to enhance its appeal to Middle Eastern investors, particularly from Qatar, by shifting its marketing strategy beyond just its favorable climate. In Doha, representatives from Startup Portugal are engaging with local entrepreneurs to promote investment opportunities in the country.
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.
There are documents that say more about those who sign them than the actual day they land in the regulator's mailbox. The 127 pages of declarations of interests of the members of the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council, published in PDF format and treated by the ECB as a compliance matter, are exactly that: a...
Bison Bank reported profits of 8.8 million euros in 2025, its highest to date and more than triple the 2.5 million euros recorded in 2024, the bank announced in a press conference on Wednesday, the 15th. The 2025 results were driven by the positive impact of deferred tax assets due to losses from previous years. Excluding this impact, recurring profit was 4.8 million euros. Bison Bank will pay dividends for the first time this year, amounting to 750,000 euros, to its sole shareholder, Bison Capital Holding Company Limited, based in Hong Kong, China. Regarding last year's accounts, the net interest margin was 9.1 million euros, up 20% from 2024, and banking commissions reached 8.3 million euros, an 80% increase. Structural costs rose 20% to 11.6 million euros in a year where the bank increased its headcount by 22, reaching 109 employees. Following the resolution of Banif, the Chinese holding company Bison Capital Financial purchased Banif Investimento in 2018 and rebranded it as Bison Bank. Headquartered in Lisbon, Bison Bank specializes in financial services for high-net-worth individuals. Bison Bank is undergoing a strategic reorganization and launching its first Portuguese stablecoin.
The man filed a complaint with the Judiciary Police, reporting losses following an investment in cryptocurrencies.
The management of Bankinter's Portuguese branch, inaugurated ten years ago, expects to continue growing at a double-digit rate. Loans to companies are a key focus. The bank expects to market a stable cryptocurrency.
The Constitution of the Republic turns 50 this Thursday, with Público highlighting that half of the Portuguese population identifies with it, while only 10% do not. A study by the IPPS-Iscte institute, authored by Pedro Adão e Silva and Isabel Flores, reveals that 58% of respondents believe the Constitution should be revised, particularly to criminalise illicit enrichment and reduce the number of MPs. Meanwhile, Jornal de Notícias and Correio da Manhã report that due to lower tax withholding rates, many taxpayers will receive smaller refunds or will have to pay additional income tax this year. Additionally, Correio da Manhã reports that former minister Mira Amaral was arrested by the police on suspicion of domestic violence at a clinic in Lisbon, an allegation he denies.
Sarmento claims victory, but knows he had the help of measures that have limits: salary increases return taxes to the State and the tax cut increases consumption. Editorial by Marta Moitinho Oliveira.
The rise in house prices caused the median mortgage payment for buying a home to increase in Lisbon from approximately 900 euros to over 1,800 euros between 2019 and 2023. In Porto, the increase was even greater.
The Lisbon stock market was trading sharply lower this morning, with 15 companies in the PSI (Portuguese Stock Index) falling, led by CTT, which was falling 9.58% to €6.04, while The post Stock market plummeting on Thursday morning appeared first on Portugal Resident.
A comparison of public transport costs across European capitals reveals that while Lisbon's single-ticket prices are comparable to those in cities like Madrid or Paris, they represent a significantly higher financial burden due to Portugal's lower average wages. Lisbon ranks 8th in a normalized index of transport costs relative to income, trailing only behind Eastern European capitals. Despite subsidized monthly passes, low usage rates persist, driven by an inefficient network, long wait times, and a lack of restrictive policies on private car use compared to other major European cities.
Knowing how to manage money should be as basic as knowing how to read or do sums. This is the conviction with which Álvaro Santos Pereira, Governor of the Bank of Portugal and President of the National Council of Financial Supervisors (CNSF), opened the Solemn Session of Financial Education Week this Monday in Lisbon, at the CMVM headquarters. For...
Executives from major Portuguese banks stated on Tuesday, the 10th, that the sector is prepared for shocks resulting from the war in Iran, citing recent experiences and increased institutional resilience. Leaders from Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Millennium BCP, Santander, BPI, Crédito Agrícola, and Montepio emphasized the importance of risk management, capital liquidity, and adaptability in the face of global volatility, energy price hikes, and potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz.
The committee states that some workers have already expressed that they do not have the financial capacity to support a move to Tagus Park in Oeiras and will have to leave the institute.
The increasing cost of housing in major Portuguese cities has made home ownership a distant goal for many, as the effort required now surpasses half of their earnings.
CM: Statistics Portugal (INE) records a 16% rise in housing prices in the penultimate quarter of 2025. The Guardian: A Norwegian prince goes on trial on charges of sexual abuse.
She lives away from the palaces and under strict rules, but Princess Leonor’s sister’s university life in Portugal comes with hefty costs.
The Lisbon stock market closed lower today, with the PSI index falling 0.54% to 8,557.86 points, notably Teixeira Duarte losing almost 5%.
On Tuesday, the Lisbon stock exchange was among the biggest losers.
A man filed a complaint with the Judicial Police in Lisbon, saying he lost €592.20.
Lisbon's residential property market is strengthening its appeal to buyers from North America, consolidating the city as a preferred European destination for property purchases and investment.
The Lisbon Tenants' Association also says that the increase from €600 to €900 in the cap on the deduction for rents paid is 'clearly unfavourable to tenants'.
In recent years, nearly a dozen international investors have brought freezing orders in Portugal to seize the accounts that Venezuela holds at Novobanco, totalling one billion euros, according to data ECO obtained from the Lisbon court. The cases involve claims brought by an oil company and a mining company...
The mayor of Cascais has demanded that the national government reopen the Carcavelos tax office, arguing that restoring local access to tax services is essential for residents and businesses.
Lisbon, 8 January 2026 (Lusa) — The Lisbon stock exchange closed higher today, with the PSI index rising 0.09% to 8,486.79 points, in a Europe that was mostly positive.
The Lisbon Stock Exchange ended the session in positive territory, led by Semapa whose shares increased by over 5%.
The Lisbon Stock Exchange closed lower today, with the PSI index down 0.27% to 8,169.20 points, as most European markets were positive.
Compared to other regions, all except Alentejo (which remained at 77.1%) converged with the EU; the Algarve reached 89.2%, Madeira 88.3%, the Azores 72.5%, the Centre 70.7%, and the North 70.8%.
Purchasing power in Portugal increased to 82.4% of the European average in 2024.
