Cost of Living

Electricity cheaper, gas more expensive than in the EU

Data from the energy regulator (ERSE) for the first half of 2026 shows household electricity prices in Portugal averaged 0.2491 euros/kWh, lower than the EU average of 0.2882 euros/kWh. Conversely, natural gas for households averaged 0.1471 euros/kWh, exceeding the EU average of 0.1378 euros/kWh. Taxes and fees represent a higher percentage of the final bill in Portugal for both electricity (33%) and natural gas (31%) compared to EU averages.

Why it matters

While electricity costs remain competitive relative to the EU, your gas bills are comparatively higher, largely due to a higher tax burden on household energy consumption.

Observador· 2h agoRead original ↗

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Cost of Living

Autonomous regions to include national agriculture subsidies due to production costs

The national government has allocated 1.25 million euros to the Azores and 250,000 euros to Madeira to help agricultural and forestry sectors cope with production costs from July to December 2026. This extends the existing support scheme that provides a 10-cent-per-litre subsidy on 'gasóleo colorido e marcado' (coloured and marked diesel) to these regions. The regional governments must now define the specific distribution criteria and control mechanisms to comply with state-aid rules before receiving the funds from the national Treasury.

Correio da Manhã· 1h agoRead original ↗

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Cost of Living

Fuel prices: Diesel rises 2 cents, gasoline falls 2.5 cents next week

From Monday, 2 November, the price of diesel will increase by 2 cents per litre, while the price of gasoline will decrease by 2.5 cents per litre.

RTP· 3h agoRead original ↗

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Cost of Living

Minister wants to prevent students from dropping out of university due to lack of money

The Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, stated that the current social support model ensures that financial need should not prevent students from attending university. He intends to increase outreach starting in the 9th grade to ensure students and families are aware of available state scholarships, travel subsidies for displaced students, and the flexibility of using housing aid for private rentals. The Minister also noted that tuition fees will be updated for inflation starting in the 2027/2028 academic year, but emphasized that students on scholarships remain exempt.

CNN Portugal· 3h agoRead original ↗

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Practical alerts

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Media-reported alerts

Metro Transportes do Sul workers call total strike for November · Observador · 58m ago
EU charges new 2-euro fee on non-EU orders starting Sunday · Correio da Manhã · 4h ago
Braga opens applications for grants of up to 2,500 euros for families with energy difficulties · Observador · 1d ago
Government leaves strike negotiations to CP management · Correio da Manhã · 3d ago

Live official alerts

Yellow rain warning for Madeira from Saturday until Sunday.
yellow warningIPMA· Madeira· from Sat 21:00
The CP strike on Friday 30 October is cancelled and trains run normally.
CP· Lisbon area +2· until 30 Oct

See all live official alerts

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