🇵🇹 Daily Portugal news for expats & investors — FREE Subscribe

The Portugal Brief

Sign in Subscribe

Expat Life

Practical guides and stories for expats living in or moving to Portugal.

Portugal's Official Rental Market Data Remains Dark for Almost a Year as Housing Crisis Deepens

Portugal's Official Rental Market Data Remains Dark for Almost a Year as Housing Crisis Deepens

Portugal's statistics office has suspended publication of official rental market data for the second time, leaving policymakers and the public without reliable information on rents and tenancy volumes for nearly twelve months as the government...

How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Portugal: A Practical Guide to Navigating Record Food Prices

How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Portugal: A Practical Guide to Navigating Record Food Prices

Food prices in Portugal are at record levels, and with inflation showing no signs of easing, shopping smart is no longer optional—it's essential. Whether you're an expat on a fixed pension or a working resident trying to stretch your paycheck, the...

Portugal's Living Standards Fell Further Behind Europe in 2025 After Three Years of Gains

Portugal's Living Standards Fell Further Behind Europe in 2025 After Three Years of Gains

Portugal's economy lost ground relative to the rest of Europe in 2025, with GDP per capita slipping from 82% to 81% of the EU average when adjusted for purchasing power, according to preliminary data released this week by Eurostat. The...

Portuguese Public Holidays in 2026: What Expats Need to Know About Service Closures and Long Weekends

Portuguese Public Holidays in 2026: What Expats Need to Know About Service Closures and Long Weekends

Portugal observes 13 national holidays in 2026, with six three-day weekends and five bridge opportunities. Here's what expats need to know about closures and long weekends.

Lisbon Bans Uber and Bolt Pickups on Major Avenues and Tourist Zones, Creates Taxi-Style Ranks for Ride-Hail Cars

Lisbon Bans Uber and Bolt Pickups on Major Avenues and Tourist Zones, Creates Taxi-Style Ranks for Ride-Hail Cars

Lisbon's city council signed an agreement with Uber and Bolt on Thursday that will ban ride-hail vehicles from picking up or dropping off passengers on some of the capital's busiest streets and tourist areas. The deal introduces a colour-coded zone...

Portugal's Labour Reform Takes Another Turn: Government Drops Extra Holidays, Expands Fixed-Term Contracts

Portugal's Labour Reform Takes Another Turn: Government Drops Extra Holidays, Expands Fixed-Term Contracts

Portugal's marathon labour reform negotiations took yet another turn this week when the government circulated a revised draft of its Trabalho XXI package to employers' confederations and the UGT trade union. The new version, obtained by ECO and...