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Portugal records budget surplus of 0.5% in the first half

The National Institute of Statistics reported a budget surplus of 0.5% of GDP for the first half, despite a deficit in the first quarter.

23 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Portugal records budget surplus of 0.5% in the first half — Archive photoPhoto: Haydn Blackey from Cardiff, Wales · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Portugal achieved a budget surplus of 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of this year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This result is based on the accounts of the Public Administration sector.

During the second quarter, public accounts showed a budget balance of 1.6%, which represents a slight decrease compared to the 1.7% recorded in the same period of the previous year. This balance significantly contributed to the overall surplus for the first six months of the year.

In the first quarter of 2023, Portugal recorded a deficit of 0.7% of GDP, reflecting the consequences of support measures adopted to assist regions affected by downturns known as Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta.

The accounts published by the INE reveal the positive evolution of public finances in the first half of the year. Compared to the previous year, the budget balance of the second quarter may indicate a trend of improvement, despite the difficulties faced earlier.

In this context, the government may consider the performance of public accounts in the first half as an important indicator as it moves forward with its economic policies.

The INE continues to closely monitor the country's budget situation, with expectations that future results may also be stable. The complete report regarding the second quarter and additional analyses on public accounts are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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