Weekly Digest — March 22 to March 29, 2026

The week's most important Portugal stories, curated from our daily coverage.

This week in Portugal: the stories that mattered most, from politics and the economy to housing, health, and culture. If you missed anything, start here.

Portugal's Labour Reform Enters Its Final Act: The April 6 Meeting That Could Define Workers' Rights for a Generation

After eight months of negotiations that have seen walkouts, secret meetings, and a near-complete breakdown in talks, Portugal's labour reform process enters what may be its decisive phase. A meeting...

Portuguese Housing Valuations Hit €2,122 Per Square Metre — Another Record

Portugal's housing market continues its relentless climb. Bank appraisals—the valuations lenders use when approving mortgages—hit €2,122 per square metre in February 2026, according to fresh data...

Former President Cavaco Silva Demands Structural Reforms, Warns of Democratic Decay Without Economic Growth

Former President Aníbal Cavaco Silva issued a sharp warning this week that Portugal risks "deterioration of democratic quality" unless the Montenegro government pushes through structural reforms...

Portugal's New Housing Tax Package Promises Relief, but EU Rules Limit the Boldest Measure

The Portuguese government spent Tuesday laying out the fine print of what may be the most significant housing policy intervention in years. At a seminar in Lisbon organized by Imojuris at the offices...

Foreigners Bought One in Four Homes Sold in Portugal Last Year, With Brazilians Leading the Charge

Fresh data from Portugal's National Statistics Institute paints a striking picture of who is driving demand in one of Europe's hottest property markets: foreigners accounted for 27.6 percent of all...

Portugal Calls First Defense Council Under New President as Iran War Reshapes NATO Politics

President Antonio Jose Seguro has convened the Superior Council of National Defense for March 31 at the Belem Palace, marking his first such meeting since taking office. The timing is no coincidence:...

Portugal Commits €150 Million Monthly to Shield Key Sectors From Iran War Fuel Shock

The Portuguese government announced Friday it will deploy €150 million per month in fuel subsidies through June to cushion critical economic sectors from price shocks driven by the month-long war in...

Brussels to Define High-Pressure Housing Zones for Short-Term Rental Limits as EU Regulation Takes Effect in May

The European Commission is preparing to introduce a legislative framework in 2026 that will define "real estate pressure areas" across the EU, giving member states and municipalities clearer grounds...

Portugal Moves to Unlock Frozen Inheritances: One Heir Can Force Sale After Two Years of Impasse

Portugal's government yesterday approved legislation enabling a single heir to force the sale of inherited property after two years of deadlock, a measure designed to unlock thousands of homes...

DBRS Holds Portugal's 2026 Growth Forecast at 2.1 Percent as Iran Conflict Creates New Economic Uncertainty

Credit rating agency DBRS maintained its 2.1 percent GDP growth forecast for Portugal in 2026 while revising its 2027 outlook upward to 1.8 percent, describing the adjustments as "modest and mixed"...

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