General Daily Briefing — Wednesday, 9 April 2026
In today's briefing: • Portugal's Economy Expected to Shrink in Q1 as Forum for Competitiveness Warns of Mounting Headwinds • Canadian Firm HyOrc Secures Site for Green Methanol Plant in Portugal • Portugal Ends Postal Visa Applications for Brazilians — In-Person Filing From April 17 • Gas Bottle...
Portugal's Economy Expected to Shrink in Q1 as Forum for Competitiveness Warns of Mounting Headwinds
The Forum for Competitiveness estimates that Portugal's GDP contracted on a quarter-on-quarter basis in Q1 2026 — what would be the first sequential decline since 2020. The think tank pegs full-year growth at 1.5% to 1.9%, below the government's 2.2% target. The Middle East conflict, US tariffs (the 20% EU levy takes effect today), and elevated energy costs are all weighing on the outlook. PM Montenegro has announced EUR 600 million in new business energy support.
Canadian Firm HyOrc Secures Site for Green Methanol Plant in Portugal
HyOrc Inc., a Canadian clean-energy company, has secured an industrial site and accelerated permitting for a green methanol production facility in Portugal. The firm has also formed a 50-50 joint venture with Portuguese company MO.RE.DA. Oils to develop the project. Green methanol is emerging as a key fuel for decarbonising global shipping, and Portugal's renewable energy surplus and Atlantic port access make it a natural production base.
Portugal Ends Postal Visa Applications for Brazilians — In-Person Filing From April 17
From April 17, Brazilian nationals will no longer be able to submit Portuguese visa applications by post. The pandemic-era concession is being replaced by mandatory in-person filing at VFS Global centres across Brazil. The change comes just days before President Lula da Silva's scheduled visit to Lisbon on April 21, with immigration policy expected to dominate bilateral talks. Appointment availability could become a bottleneck — Portugal issued 95,000 new residency permits to Brazilians in 2025 alone.
Gas Bottle Prices Jump 20% as Retailers Demand Emergency VAT Cut to 6%
The price of butane and propane gas bottles in Portugal surged by roughly 20% at the start of April, with the standard 13 kg butane cylinder now costing significantly more than a year ago. Retailer associations are calling for an emergency VAT reduction to 6% on bottled gas, which remains the primary cooking and heating fuel for hundreds of thousands of Portuguese households, particularly in rural areas.
Portugal Smashes Renewable Energy Record — 80% of Electricity From Clean Sources in Q1
Renewable energy sources supplied 80.4% of Portugal's electricity in the first quarter of 2026 — the highest share ever recorded for a January-to-March period. The milestone underscores Portugal's position as one of Europe's clean-energy leaders, driven by strong hydro output after a wet winter and continued growth in wind and solar capacity. The record comes as the country simultaneously attracts green hydrogen and methanol investment.
Also in the news
Porto host Nottingham Forest tonight — FC Porto face Nottingham Forest at Estádio do Dragão in the Europa League quarter-final first leg (kick-off 20:00 local time). Forest won the reverse fixture 2-0 in the group stage in October.
Lisbon Metro strike tomorrow — All five trade unions have confirmed a 24-hour walkout for Thursday, April 10. No minimum services have been ordered and the system is expected to shut down entirely.
Via Verde price hikes take effect tomorrow — Electronic toll subscription fees rise by up to 25% from April 10 across several Via Verde service tiers.
20% US tariff on EU goods takes effect today — The first wave of Trump's reciprocal tariffs hits European exports to the United States, including Portuguese wine, olive oil, textiles, and auto parts worth an estimated EUR 5.3 billion annually.