Entering 2026 on the right foot requires more than eating the 12 raisins; it also requires looking at the Excel sheet. After all, when it comes to the pockets of Lisbon residents (and not only them), there are several increases that promise to make going to the supermarket more difficult, as well as the car journeys themselves.
The truth is that 2026 will be marked by a fall in the inflation rate to 2.1%, as well as further relief from the IRS between the second and fifth brackets. In addition, the national minimum wage will rise from 870 to 920 euros, and some pensions will also be updated. However, this may not be enough to cope with some of the increases planned for 2026.
From transport to tolls, not forgetting rents and essential goods, we’ ve compiled the key information in this financial guide for 2026. Let’s take a look at what’s changing? Then it’s time to look at your wallet and do the math to ensure you have the best year possible.
Table Of Contents
Transportation
Trains
If you live in Lisbon but need to travel frequently by train, for example to Porto, then your journeys are going to get more expensive. This is because CP – Comboios de Portugal has updated its prices by an average of 2.26% in 2026.
As a result, a single one-way ticket on the Alfa Pendular between Lisbon and Porto, for example, will cost 49.90 euros in Conforto class and 35.70 euros in Turística class.
Passes
The prices of the Green Rail Pass (valid on CP) and the Navegante Metropolitano pass (valid in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area) are not going up this year.
Carris
Carris has decided to increase its fares in 2026, with bus fares rising from 2.20 to 2.30 euros and streetcar fares from 3.20 to 3.30 euros. However, it’s important to note that this increase particularly affects those who buy their tickets from the driver or tourists.
Tolls
If your weekend plans involve leaving Lisbon, you should know that the price of tolls has also gone up. According to the “Eco” newspaper, tolls on the A1 between Lisbon and Oporto have risen by 45 cents to 25.05 euros, and by 50 cents on the A2 between Lisbon and the Algarve to 23.80 euros.
Rents
The rental market in Lisbon continues to be one of the biggest challenges for many locals. For 2026, the coefficient for updating rents has been set at 2.24%.
In practice, this equates to an increase of 2.24 for every 100 euros of rent. Therefore, a rent of 1000 euros should increase by 22.40 euros this year.
Water
Another expense that will increase is the water bill, as EPAL has decided to update the price for most domestic customers by 17 cents per month.
Essential goods
If going to the supermarket was already a nightmare, it won’t be any easier in 2026. Several essential goods such as meat and fish are expected to increase by 7%, according to estimates by the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies.
Bread and other pastry products are also expected to increase slightly, partly due to the increase in the national minimum wage, which has an impact on production costs.
Electricity
Another ‘mandatory’ expense is electricity, but try to consume energy sustainably – the environment will thank you and so will your pocket. In this sector, when it comes to the regulated market, the electricity bill rises by an average of 1%, which should be reflected in an increase of between 0.18 and 0.28 euros.
And where does the pocket ‘breathe’?
As mentioned above, to offset these price increases in 2026, there are two allies: the rise in the national minimum wage to 920 euros; and, for those earning above that, there is good news on the IRS.
In this context, with the new tax relief and the updated withholding tables, many workers will notice that their net salary – the one that actually goes into their account every month – will be slightly higher. This is where there may be some ‘breathing space’ to cope with increases, for example, at the supermarket.
Generally speaking, 2026 means a lot of bills for all Lisboners, but we hope it’s not a nightmare and that you can continue to enjoy the best of the Portuguese capital!
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