Portugal's external surplus reached 4.05 billion euros in the first eight months of 2026, a 26.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. The decline is largely driven by a 2.7 billion euro increase in the goods trade deficit, as import growth outpaced exports, alongside reduced surpluses in services and secondary income.
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A study by EY indicates that the Web Summit has generated 2.5 billion euros in economic impact in Portugal over the last 10 years. During the same 2016-2025 period, the number of Portuguese startups grew by 132% and their exports increased by 133%. Negotiations regarding the event's continuation in Lisbon after 2028 are ongoing.
Portugal's public administration recorded a surplus of 5.064 billion euros between January and September 2026. This figure represents a decrease of approximately 1.239 billion euros compared to the same period in 2025.
The 2027 State Budget projects a 7 billion euro surplus for the Social Security pension system (2.1% of GDP), driven by growth in contribution revenues. However, the budget report warns that the system is expected to face structural deficits beginning in the 2040s, primarily due to the rising long-term costs of pensions.