Latest news and stories about cost of living in Porto, Portugal for expats and residents.
Porto has become the first Portuguese city to implement a free public transport system for its residents.
The Porto Municipal Assembly has approved a proposal to provide free public transport for residents across the entire metropolitan area, with implementation scheduled for January 2027 at an estimated annual cost of 20.5 million euros.
PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro insisted this Monday that the Prime Minister must provide explanations for the rise in fuel prices, while refusing to comment on the case involving the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves. Carneiro argued that the government should adopt the PS's proposal to temporarily reduce VAT on fuel from 23% to 13% to mitigate the impact of rising international crude prices on families. He also criticised the government for allegedly 'profiting' from fuel tax increases and dismissed the PSD parliamentary leader's characterisation of recent political controversies as 'small cases', stating they have significant negative effects on people's lives.
With tomorrow seeing yet further price increases at fuel pumps throughout the country, PS Socialist leader José Luís Carneiro has challenged the government to take a new position to ease The post Government accused, yet again, of profiting from fuel price increases appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The INEM Workers' Commission believes that pressure on the Fire Department and the Red Cross will increase. Additionally, the Pope calls for the resumption of dialogue in the Middle East.
The PS secretary-general insists that Luís Montenegro's executive continues to “reach into the pockets of the Portuguese people and make money.”
Starting Monday, the price of petrol and diesel will rise again. Furthermore, several fronts of the wildfire still burning between Ávila and Madrid have been brought under control.
Statements by José Luís Carneiro this morning. Also in this news bulletin, the new UK Prime Minister rules out the possibility of early elections in the country.
The energy company Plenergy has expanded its network by opening a new service station in Penafiel, bringing its total number of stations in Portugal to 16.
Over a hundred people, mostly elderly and immigrants, waited all morning on Monday, July 13, for a ticket at the Porto Municipal Office to apply for the 'Porto Card', which grants free access to public transport. Many residents were unaware that the card could be requested online or at ten other locations across the city. While citizens praised the measure as a necessary financial relief, many elderly residents expressed difficulty with the digital application process due to a lack of internet access or technical skills. The Porto City Council estimates that nearly 60,000 residents will benefit from the initiative.
Public transport for those with a tax address in Porto has been free since Friday, provided the resident holds a Porto Card.
The measure, which allows residents with a Porto card to travel at no cost throughout the metropolitan area, has an estimated annual cost of 20.5 million euros.
House prices will continue to rise, but a 10% drop in transactions is expected in 2026, predicts Joana Resende, founder of Century 21 Arquitectos. The forecast is based on the persistent imbalance in the Portuguese real estate market, where demand remains strong despite a lack of supply. While there are signs of a slowdown—with the absorption period for new builds increasing from two to five months—inflationary pressure remains acute in urban areas around Porto, particularly in Gondomar, where average house prices have soared by 144% over the last decade. Developers are increasingly looking to the outskirts of the Porto Metropolitan Area, attracting both national and foreign investment, notably from Israel and India. Century 21 Arquitectos reported four million euros in revenue last year and expects 20% growth for the current year, with plans to expand further in northern Portugal by 2027.
Socialist Party (PS) Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro criticised the Government for focusing on announcing policy packages rather than delivering results, noting that 25 such packages have been presented in two years without tangible improvements. During a visit to the Ramirez fish cannery, Carneiro challenged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to address critical issues such as housing, healthcare, wage growth, and the country's declining international competitiveness, while dismissing government attempts to blame the PS for ongoing challenges.
Roughly 1000 property owners in Matoshinhos have had a rates shock this year that has left them utterly dumbfounded. Imagine having regularly paid €218 IMI (municipal property tax) on an The post Rates shock in Matosinhos: property owners hit with 900% increases appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Público reports that the number of students with special needs has increased over the last decade, reaching nearly 100,000 in the 2024/25 school year, while schools face a lack of resources. SIBS has dropped its lawsuit against the Bank of Portugal regarding a 2025 order. Jornal de Notícias highlights a 'road revolution' in Porto, including a new alternative route to the VCI, a tunnel, and the burying of Avenida AEP. Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho argues that flexible labour markets pay better and blames the UGT for the lack of social agreement. Expresso notes that Nuno Melo did not deny the presence of Russian drones in Portuguese waters. Observador reports that the nursing director at Évora Hospital faces 15 complaints regarding a management style based on fear. Correio da Manhã highlights that fuel prices are cheaper at hypermarkets and significantly lower in Spain. Diário de Notícias features an interview with José Manuel Balieiro, who calls for a stronger military presence in the Azores. Negócios reports that the Government is preparing a solution for VAT on building rehabilitation to protect companies from additional tax assessments. Eco reveals that only 13% of retirement savings plans (PPR) have beaten inflation over the last five years.
“There is no such thing as a free lunch”, an expression popularised internationally by economists like Milton Friedman, could be the name to coin mobility decisions such as exempting a region from tolls or making public transport free to use. Examples of both are becoming more frequent. If neighbouring Spain makes Portuguese drivers envious due to the absence of toll booths...
José Luís Carneiro was at the Angeiras market in Matosinhos this morning and reminded Luís Montenegro of all the measures the Socialists have already presented regarding the rising cost of living, which were rejected by the right-wing.
The PS secretary-general challenged the Prime Minister to visit local markets to witness the rising cost of living, while accusing Chega leader André Ventura of acting as a 'crutch' for the Government to distract public opinion. Carneiro highlighted that a family of four is facing monthly costs over 147 euros higher than in January and criticised the executive for rejecting PS proposals to reduce VAT on essential goods and energy. Additionally, Carneiro dismissed Ventura's suggestion of a referendum on the Constitutional Court's ruling regarding the Nationality Law as a non-viable distraction.
José Luís Carneiro recalled that the PS presented proposals that would allow for a 67 euro reduction in the cost of the food basket.
Luís Pedro Martins, president of Porto and North Tourism, admits that we are not yet being heavily affected by the impact of the war on aviation fuel, but warns that the rise in raw material costs will necessarily increase airfares, among other things.
The Mayor of Porto intends to provide free public transport across the entire metropolitan area for city residents starting as early as July this year. If that is not possible, the guarantee for January 1, 2027, is already in place, with an estimated annual cost of 20.5 million euros.
The Porto Municipal Assembly has approved a proposal for free public transport for city residents throughout the metropolitan area, with an estimated annual cost of 20.5 million euros. While the executive aims to implement the measure this summer, it is officially scheduled for January 1, 2027. The proposal passed with opposition from Chega and abstentions from the CDU and the 'Filipe Araújo: Fazer à Porto' municipal group. Mayor Pedro Duarte acknowledged the need to improve collective transport services and hopes the initiative will drive a paradigm shift in mobility, despite concerns regarding technical and financial sustainability raised by various political parties.
The former Manchester United manager was in the stands at Old Trafford stadium when he felt unwell. Additionally, two youths were arrested for a hit-and-run during FC Porto celebrations in S. João da Madeira.
On the eve of another price hike at the pumps, the Socialists repeat their demand for a reduction in VAT and a zero-rate on the food basket, measures that the PSD/CDS-PP Government continues to reject.
The Socialist Party (PS) reiterated its call for a reduction in fuel VAT on Sunday, ahead of another significant price hike. MP João Torres announced plans to summon fuel retailer and oil company associations to Parliament to discuss the crisis, accusing the PSD/CDS-PP government of using the situation to boost state coffers. The PS also renewed its proposal for zero VAT on a basket of essential food items, urging the government to adopt previously successful measures to support families and businesses as the cost of living becomes unbearable.
See the answer in the video. Polígrafo TVI (from the same group as CNN Portugal) is a fact-checking programme about current events.
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