Portugal Daily Briefing — Wednesday, February 18, 2026

New President Seguro Takes Office Amid National Crisis

Socialist moderate Antonio Jose Seguro, who won a landslide victory in the presidential runoff on February 8 against far-right candidate Andre Ventura (Chega), is preparing to take office as Portugal's new head of state. Seguro's decisive win was seen as a rejection of populist politics, though Ventura's record vote share for the far right signals a shifting political landscape.

The new president inherits a country in the grip of a severe weather crisis and a government under increasing pressure. His first major test will be navigating the relationship with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's centre-right administration.

What This Means for Expats

Portugal's political stability remains broadly intact. The presidency is largely ceremonial but holds the power to dissolve parliament. Seguro's moderate stance suggests continuity in Portugal's welcoming posture toward foreign residents and investors.

Storm Recovery Continues as Rain Finally Set to Ease

Portugal has endured weeks of devastating storms since late January, with an "atmospheric river" phenomenon bringing relentless rainfall, particularly to the north. At least 16 people have died, thousands have been evacuated, and part of the A1 motorway near Coimbra collapsed after a levee broke. The Douro river burst its banks in multiple locations around Porto.

Meteorologists are now offering cautious relief: according to IPMA, precipitation should cease from Friday, February 20 onward, giving way to a prolonged dry period. However, recovery efforts will take considerably longer, with infrastructure damage across the country still being assessed.

What This Means for Expats

If you live in the north or central regions, remain alert to flood warnings and road closures through the rest of this week. Check Infraestruturas de Portugal's website for highway status updates. The A1 collapse means significant detours between Lisbon and Porto until repairs are completed.

PM Montenegro Under Dual Pressure: Storms and Fraud Probe

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro is facing his most challenging period in office. Beyond managing the storm crisis -- which already led to the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Maria Lucia Amaral -- Montenegro is now contending with reports that the contractor who built his family's six-floor holiday home in Espinho is under investigation for fiscal fraud.

Far-right leader Andre Ventura has seized on the situation, accusing the government of an inability to manage the multiple crises facing the country. Montenegro has assumed direct responsibility for storm crisis management, a move that ties his political fortunes to the recovery effort.

What This Means for Expats

Political instability at the top could delay legislative priorities, including housing and immigration reforms. Watch for any signals of early elections, which would create further uncertainty.

Parliament Approves Social Media Restrictions for Minors

Portugal's parliament approved a bill on February 12 that will require explicit parental consent for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media platforms. Children under 13 will be banned from social media entirely. The bill, proposed by the ruling PSD party, passed its first reading with support from the PS, PAN, and JPP.

The legislation makes Portugal one of the first European countries to take concrete legislative action on youth social media access, following growing concerns about the impact of platforms on children's mental health.

What This Means for Expats

Expat families with children in Portugal should prepare for new verification requirements on social media platforms. The details of enforcement and implementation timelines will be clarified in subsequent readings of the bill.

Rents Continue to Climb, Especially Outside Lisbon and Porto

New data shows rents in Portugal rose sharply in several regions during late 2025 and into 2026, with increases exceeding 11% in Setubal, Leiria, and Viana do Castelo. Notably, rent growth in Lisbon and Porto has slowed, suggesting the market may be reaching affordability limits in major cities while pressure shifts to secondary locations.

A new tax incentive introduced in January 2026 reduces landlord income tax on rental income to just 10% for leases up to 2,300 euros per month, aimed at encouraging more properties onto the long-term rental market. Housing prices overall showed steady growth throughout 2025, with over 42,000 property transactions recorded in Q3 alone.

What This Means for Expats

If you're searching for rental accommodation, consider looking beyond the usual Lisbon and Porto markets. Cities like Braga, Aveiro, and Coimbra may still offer better value, though prices are rising there too. The landlord tax incentive could gradually improve supply in the long-term rental market.

Carnival Celebrations Return Across Portugal

Despite the difficult weather conditions, Carnival celebrations took place across Portugal from February 15 to 17. The historic Loule Carnival in the Algarve -- the oldest continuous pre-Lenten celebration in Portugal -- drew thousands of visitors with its famous parades, samba performances, and elaborate floats. Other notable celebrations took place in Mealhada, Torres Vedras, and Ovar.

Shrove Tuesday (yesterday) marked the culmination of the festivities, with many Portuguese enjoying the traditional day off. Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent.

What This Means for Expats

Carnival is one of Portugal's most vibrant cultural traditions. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next year -- the Loule and Torres Vedras celebrations are particularly worth experiencing.

Portugal Repatriates Archaeological Artifacts to Mexico

In a ceremony held at the Mexican Embassy in Lisbon on February 17, Portuguese officials formally returned three archaeological artifacts to Mexico. The items include a female figurine from western Mexico and other pre-Columbian objects that had been in Portuguese collections.

The repatriation is part of a broader international trend of returning cultural heritage to countries of origin, and reflects Portugal's engagement with global cultural diplomacy efforts.

Golden Visa Programme Remains Popular Despite Changes

Despite persistent rumours of the Golden Visa programme ending, it continues to operate in 2026 and remains more popular than ever, according to industry reports. The programme, which now focuses on investment fund contributions of at least 500,000 euros (with real estate purchases excluded since 2023), offers a pathway to permanent residency and eventual EU citizenship after five years.

A recent analysis by Travel and Tour World found that Portugal is outperforming Spain in attracting expats, citing the Golden Visa, relatively affordable living costs, and welcoming tax policies as key advantages.

What This Means for Expats

If you're considering the Golden Visa route, the programme remains viable but applicants should expect continued regulatory evolution. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer for the latest requirements, as processing times and documentation standards have been updated for 2026.