Portugal Daily Briefing — Friday, 13 March 2026

Food Basket Hits Record High

The basic food basket monitored by DECO PROteste reached its highest price ever this week at €254.12 — up €12.30 (5.1%) since the start of January and a staggering 35.4% higher than when tracking began in 2022. Tuna in vegetable oil jumped 33% in a single week, while zucchini, sea bream, and cabbage have seen the steepest year-to-date increases. DECO warns that Middle East tensions and rising fuel costs could push prices higher still.

American Expats Organise Lisbon Protest

The AMPT UP collective, representing American expats and immigrants in Portugal, is preparing a large-scale mobilisation for 28 March at Praça do Comércio in Lisbon. The non-violent protest will join the global "No Kings" movement, with organisers describing it as a stand against what they call "brazen corruption" under the current US administration. The choice of one of Lisbon's most prominent squares is intended to raise awareness among the wider international community.

Michelin Guide 2026: 11 New Stars for Portugal

Portugal now boasts 53 Michelin-starred restaurants after the 2026 guide was unveiled at a gala in Madeira. Lisbon's Fifty Seconds earned a second star, while Porto was the evening's big winner with four new one-star entries. Notable additions include Dop (Chef Rui Paula), Éon (Chef Tiago Bonito), and A Cozinha do Paço in Évora, which earned both a star and a Green Star for sustainability. The guide reflects excellence spreading well beyond Lisbon and Porto into the Alentejo, Algarve, and Douro Valley.

UK MPs Debate the 90-Day Brexit Rule

The "90 days in every 180" rule — widely considered one of Brexit's most restrictive outcomes for British travellers — is the subject of renewed political debate in the UK Parliament. For the large British community in Portugal, particularly part-year residents in the Algarve and Lisbon, any change could significantly affect how they structure their time between the two countries. No legislative change is imminent, but the discussion signals growing political acknowledgment that the current framework creates real hardship.

Immigration Fraud Ring: 15 Charged

The Public Prosecutor's Office has charged 15 defendants, including six companies, in connection with a network that facilitated illegal immigration through fake employment contracts. The ring, allegedly led by Mustafiz Sairniabat, recruited economically vulnerable Portuguese citizens to sign false residency attestations for payments of €10 to €25 per signature. The scheme is reported to have processed thousands of fraudulent legalisation applications.

President Seguro's First Week in Office

António José Seguro, Portugal's new centre-left president, completed his first full week in Bélem following his inauguration on 9 March. International media have noted the unusual coalition that brought him to power — a social democrat elected with conservative support in a country whose democratic politics have never leaned so far right. The question now is whether that cross-spectrum appeal can translate into effective governance alongside Prime Minister Montenegro's centre-right executive.

Oil Surges Past $100 Amid Iran Tensions

Brent crude topped $100 per barrel this week as the US-Israel-Iran conflict rattled global energy markets. The spike has already begun feeding through to fuel prices across Europe, with Portugal particularly exposed as a net energy importer. DECO's food basket data and rising transport costs suggest the impact on consumer prices is only beginning. Global stock markets sold off sharply, with Asian indices falling 2-3% on Friday morning.