Portugal's economy explained: GDP data, market trends, business developments, inflation, real estate, and economic policy. Analysis of how economic trends affect daily life and expat finances.
A rule in force since January cuts the back Social Security contributions an employer owes when caught using undeclared workers from twelve months to three, easing the penalty for firms even as fines climb, and shrinking the record of workers who were never registered.
The base rate on Certificados de Aforro rises to 2.474% in August, up from 2.356% in July and just under its 2.5% cap. With a €100 minimum, a state guarantee and permanence bonuses of up to 1.75 points, the state's savings certificates remain a low-risk home for cash.
The Council of Ministers has approved a one-off Temporary Solidarity Contribution on the Oil Sector, taxing at 33% the part of 2026 profits that runs more than 20% above the 2024–2025 average. The revenue is earmarked for shielding vulnerable households from fuel-price rises and cutting fossil-fuel
A 15-country study commissioned by Autotrader finds Portuguese drivers spend the equivalent of 12 days and 15 hours a year in their cars — nearly six hours a week. Portugal ranks mid-table, above Spain but well below South Africa, in a reminder of how car-dependent life is outside Lisbon and Porto.
Property records show former Portugal Telecom chief Zeinal Bava transferred two Chiado apartments — bought in 2011 for about €4 million — to his children shortly before a court froze his assets in the Pharol case over PT's lost €897 million Rioforte investment. The flats remain under seizure.
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Portugal says it still intends to bid, jointly with Spain, for one of seven EU-funded AI gigafactories, aiming at the large-scale lot. Lisbon has earmarked around €200 million for computing capacity, led by the Banco Português de Fomento, with the facility to be built on Portuguese soil.
