The 1.0224 coefficient reflects a moderate increase in line with inflation, balancing the interests of landlords and tenants.
The National Statistics Institute (INE) has announced that the rent update coefficient for 2026 will be 1.0224, corresponding to an increase of 2.24%. This figure, calculated based on the average variation of the consumer price index (excluding housing) over the past 12 months, establishes the maximum limit for updating residential and commercial rents next year.
The decision represents a moderate rise compared to previous years, reflecting the stabilization of inflation in Portugal. For tenants, it means a contained increase in housing costs after periods of strong pressure on household budgets. For landlords, the update helps preserve the real value of rents amid rising maintenance expenses and property-related taxes.
The coefficient will be published in the Official Gazette, becoming binding as of January 2026. Experts note that this update aligns with the broader trend of economic moderation and could contribute to greater predictability in the rental market. However, they also caution that balancing tenant protection with incentives for real estate investment will remain one of the main challenges for Portugal’s housing policy.
In an increasingly digital and knowledge-based economy, it is no longer steel, oil, or concrete that define the strength of a company – it is its intellectual capital. Ideas, creativity, algorithms, brands, and patents have become the new raw materials of the 21st century. Yet, despite being the silent engines of economic growth, they remain underestimated, poorly accounted for, and often misunderstood.
Intangible resources – everything that cannot be touched but still holds value – now represent the backbone of the most successful companies in the world. Just look at giants like Apple, Google, or Tesla: what truly sets them apart is not factories or machinery, but protected knowledge, registered innovation, established brand equity, and highly specialized human capital. What appears on their balance sheets is only a shadow of their true worth.
Industrial property as a strategic asset Within this universe of intangibles, industrial property assets (patents, trademarks, designs, models, trade secrets) are particularly relevant because they transform creativity into exclusive rights – and consequently, into economic power. A patent protects a technological invention and grants its holder temporary monopoly over its use; a trademark distinguishes products and services in a saturated market; an industrial design gives aesthetic identity and emotional value.
However, in many companies – especially SMEs – these assets are seen as bureaucratic or secondary. They invest in machinery but not in protecting the innovation that machinery produces. They build a strong brand but fail to register the name or logo. They develop technology but do not document its innovative nature. The result is predictable: stolen ideas, copied brands, and destroyed value before it is even recognized.
The undervaluation that weakens companies The undervaluation of intangible assets is one of the greatest structural weaknesses of the European economy – and particularly the Portuguese one. While in the United States and Asia, investment in intellectual property is seen as a strategy of defense and expansion, in Portugal it is still viewed as an administrative cost. The irony is that, in a globalized world, the absence of legal protection is equivalent to giving away your innovation for free.
Portuguese companies that export technology, design, or differentiated products often compete in markets where industrial property rights are the most valuable currency. A registered patent can make the difference between being purchased or being copied; a well-positioned brand can turn an ordinary product into a symbol of trust; a solid IP portfolio can be the asset that attracts investors and opens doors to financing.
From cost to strategic investment The mindset must change: protection is not spending – it is investing. And investment in industrial property should be seen as an integral part of knowledge management strategy. Today, those who control knowledge control the market. And those who do not protect the knowledge they generate are involuntarily funding someone else’s progress.
This paradigm shift also requires institutional effort. Governments and innovation agencies (such as national IP offices or investment agencies) must simplify processes, clarify costs, and promote education on the importance of these assets. Intellectual property literacy is still very low in Portugal – not only among managers but also among entrepreneurs and technicians. At the same time, universities and research centers should be encouraged to turn their discoveries into transferable patents, not just scientific papers. We must connect knowledge to the real economy, and industrial property is the most direct bridge to achieve that.
The economy of the invisible We live in an era where value is increasingly immaterial. Software is worth more than hardware; design is worth more than material; brand is worth more than product. In this context, industrial property assets are the legal and economic foundation of sustainable growth. They allow innovation to translate into tangible value, ensure that the risk of innovating is rewarded, and give measurable return to talent.
To ignore them is to embrace irrelevance. To recognize them is to open the door to the future.
In short, in the knowledge economy, the invisible is what matters most. And the success of future companies will depend not only on their ability to create, but on their ability to protect what they create – and to turn that protected knowledge into competitive advantage.
Because, ultimately, innovation only has value when it is defended.
Portuguese families breathe a sigh of relief with the pause in rising installments, although amounts remain historically high.
After successive months of increases, mortgage payments in Portugal stabilized in August, following the ECB’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. This pause has brought some relief to families, who have faced significant hikes over the past two years.
According to data from the Bank of Portugal, the average of new installments remained practically unchanged compared to July, reflecting the stabilization of Euribor rates. However, despite the absence of new increases, costs remain high and represent a significant share of households’ disposable income.
Experts warn that the situation still requires caution. Although there is the prospect of interest rate cuts in 2025, the sustainability of mortgage credit will depend on the evolution of the economy and the ability to maintain employment levels. Many households are still under financial strain, which calls for support measures and close monitoring by the authorities.
For families, stabilization is a positive sign and allows some medium-term planning. However, the future of mortgage credit in Portugal will continue to depend on the balance between European monetary policy, the stability of the banking sector, and the resilience of the national economy.
Environmental, social, and governance criteria gain importance in the strategy of national companies, responding to pressure from markets and consumers.
In recent months, several Portuguese companies have intensified the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies into their strategies. The goal is not only to comply with European regulatory requirements but also to increase their attractiveness to international investors who are increasingly focused on sustainability.
According to recent reports, sectors such as energy, banking, and manufacturing are leading this movement, implementing measures ranging from reducing carbon footprints to adopting transparency practices in management. Consumer pressure, as customers increasingly value companies with greater social and environmental responsibility, has also contributed to accelerating this trend.
Financial institutions have also played a central role by prioritizing projects with ESG criteria in access to financing. As a result, companies that invest in sustainability secure more competitive conditions and strengthen their credibility in the market.
According to experts, the adoption of these principles will be decisive for the future of the Portuguese economy. Companies that adapt more quickly will be better positioned to compete globally, attract investment, and respond to the demands of a society that increasingly values responsible practices.
Measure is part of the Government’s commitment to strengthen household income and bring Portugal closer to the European wage average.
The Government has announced an increase in the national minimum wage to 965 euros starting in January 2025, fulfilling the goal set in the income and competitiveness agreement. The measure aims to continue the path of wage appreciation, launched several years ago, and support families facing high living costs.
According to the executive, the increase results from concerted dialogue with social partners, seeking to balance business needs with the urgency of improving workers’ purchasing power. This update will have a direct impact on around 800,000 people, representing a significant reinforcement of disposable income.
Despite the positive nature of the measure, some business associations warn of potential adaptation challenges in sectors with lower productivity. Even so, the Government is committed to supporting companies through competitiveness incentives and training programs.
Experts emphasize that the increase in the minimum wage will also have indirect effects, boosting domestic consumption and stimulating the economy. However, they warn that it is essential to monitor the impact on the labor market and ensure that wage appreciation progresses in line with productivity gains.
European Central Bank’s decision reflects caution regarding inflation trends but signals openness to reduce borrowing costs next year.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged, opting for a cautious stance in light of the eurozone’s economic outlook. Despite this decision, the institution left the door open for potential cuts in 2025, should inflation continue to converge sustainably toward the 2% target.
According to ECB President Christine Lagarde, the priority remains ensuring price stability. However, it was acknowledged that current economic conditions are weighing on consumption and investment, particularly in countries like Portugal, where households and businesses still face the burden of high financing costs.
Keeping rates steady means that, for now, housing and consumer loans will continue to carry high costs. Nevertheless, the prospect of future cuts brings optimism to investors and economic agents, who anticipate a gradual easing of financial pressures.
If reductions do materialize in 2025, Portugal could benefit from stronger domestic economic activity, with positive effects on business investment and the real estate market. Still, experts stress that the adjustment must be balanced to avoid undermining the recent progress made in fighting inflation.
The Fitch agency highlights consistent primary surpluses, debt reduction, and a debt profile centered on fixed rates as decisive factors for improving the country’s credit rating.
The financial rating agency Fitch recently announced the upgrade of Portugal’s credit rating, which rose from “A-” to “A.” This decision reflects growing confidence in the country’s ability to maintain a solid fiscal trajectory, even amid international economic uncertainty. The agency stressed that consistent management of public accounts and the gradual reduction of debt were key factors in the rating upgrade.
According to Fitch, the positive performance is largely due to the successive primary surpluses achieved by Portugal. These results demonstrate an ongoing effort to control public spending and responsibly manage state finances. In addition, the debt structure now shows a more robust profile, with extended maturities and a higher percentage of debt issued at fixed interest rates, reducing exposure to market fluctuations.
Another highlighted element was Portugal’s ability to face the challenges posed by low inflation and the economic slowdown in Europe. Although GDP growth may moderate in the coming years, Fitch believes that budgetary discipline and the commitment to financial stability will remain factors of resilience. The agency also noted that the country has benefited from effective fiscal containment policies and the sound implementation of European funds, such as the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
This rating upgrade is positive news for the Portuguese economy, as it improves risk perception among international investors. In practice, it may translate into lower financing costs for the state and national companies, strengthening the competitiveness of the economy. The rating increase also sends a signal of confidence to markets, showing that Portugal is on a sustainable path of public debt management and strengthening its external financial position.
The Public Finance Council noted that, although Portugal eliminated its fiscal imbalance in 2023 with a surplus of 1.2% of GDP, the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) remains below expectations, with only 61.8% of the funds allocated. Of the total, two-thirds were implemented only in 2023, reflecting a delayed increase in the allocation of resources, limiting the impact on public investment and economic growth. This situation emphasizes the urgency of accelerating the implementation of the RRP to maximize planned investments and contribute to a sustainable economic recovery.
According to the Bank of Portugal’s Financial Stability Report (November 2024), the public debt ratio fell from 132.5% in 2014 to 97.9% in 2023, with the reduction continuing in the third quarter of 2024. This positive development contributes to Portugal’s credibility in the markets, reflected in the improvement in debt return rates and the maintenance of its category A credit rating by four international agencies. However, public debt remains high, and risks associated with external shocks or the economic cycle demand prudence and a commitment to consolidating a sustained reduction path.
According to the Bank of Portugal’s June 2025 Economic Bulletin, after a surplus of 0.7% of GDP in 2024, the Portuguese economy is expected to record a budget deficit of 0.1% in 2025, with increases to 1.3% in 2026 and 0.9% in 2027. The expansionary fiscal stance observed in 2024 is expected to persist in the following years, albeit with some reversal in 2027. The balance sheet points to a further deterioration in the structural primary balance, reflecting the impact of the announced measures and the adverse economic cycle. This scenario reinforces the need for public spending restraint and clear strategies to ensure fiscal consolidation in the medium term.
