Tourist spending in Portugal rises 4.2% in first half

Tourists spent €12.87 billion in Portugal in the first half of 2026, up 4.2% from a year earlier, according to data published by Banco de Portugal, the country’s central bank, in a sign that one of the country’s main export sectors continues to grow.

Between January and June 2025, foreign visitors had spent about €12.35 billion in Portugal. In June alone, tourism revenue came to nearly €2.54 billion, above the €2.47 billion recorded in the same month of 2025.

The monthly data also showed some easing from May, when tourism revenue reached almost €2.74 billion, the highest level of the first half, before falling back to around €2.54 billion in June. The lowest monthly figure of the period was recorded in February, at €1.50 billion, during the low season.

Banco de Portugal said earlier this year that the travel and tourism balance rose by €1.1 billion in 2025 to €22 billion, the highest nominal value in the series. Last year, tourism receipts in Portugal increased 5% to €29.13 billion, while spending by Portuguese residents abroad rose 4.5% to €7.16 billion.

Originally published at Eco.pt