Portugal Inflation Hits Three-Year High on Energy Prices

Portugal’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.6% in September 2026, up from 3.3% in August, according to a preliminary estimate. It was the highest rate since August 2023, driven mainly by a sharp rise in fuel prices, with energy inflation accelerating to 15.4%, its strongest increase since December 2022. Unprocessed food inflation also edged up to 3.6% from 3.4%, while processed food inflation was little changed at 1.4%. Core inflation, excluding energy and unprocessed food, rose to 2.7% from 2.6%, its highest level in nearly two years. The EU-harmonized inflation rate stood at 3.6%, its highest since May 2024 and well above the ECB’s 2% target.

Portugal’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.3% in August 2026, up from 3.0% in July, reaching its highest level since April. The increase was driven primarily by a sharp acceleration in transport prices, which rose 6.4% year-on-year, compared with 4.9% in July, largely reflecting higher fuel costs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Additional pressure came from miscellaneous goods and services (4.5% vs 4.1%), financial and insurance services (3.1% vs 2.6%), restaurants and hotels (6.2% vs 6.0%), and housing and utilities (3.3% vs 3.2%). Meanwhile, inflation eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.1% vs 2.2%) and recreation and culture (1.5% vs 2.4%). Core inflation, which excludes volatile components such as energy and unprocessed food, remained unchanged at 2.6%. The EU-harmonized inflation rate accelerated to 3.6%, its highest level since May 2024 and well above the European Central Bank’s 2% inflation target.

Portugal’s annual inflation rate edged up to 3.3% in August 2026, from 3.0% in July, according to a preliminary estimate. The acceleration was mainly driven by a sharp increase in fuel prices, while energy inflation rose to 12.2% from 8.7%. Processed food inflation also edged higher to 1.5% from 1.4%. In contrast, inflation for unprocessed food moderated to 3.4% from 3.7%. Core inflation, excluding energy and unprocessed food, increased to 2.7% from 2.6%, remaining close to its highest level in nearly two years. The EU-harmonized inflation rate accelerated to 3.6%, its highest level since May 2024 and well above the ECB’s 2% target.