Portugal: Economy Stalls in Q1 2026.

Portugal’s economy stalled in the first quarter of 2026, marking a sharp slowdown from the 0.9% growth recorded in the previous period, particularly driven by extreme weather, including Storm Kristin and heavy rainfall, which damaged infrastructure, agriculture, and buildings, particularly in the Central region, as well as the adverse effects of the Middle East conflict. The slowdown also reflected the fading impact of government measures that had boosted household income in the second half of 2025. Household consumption growth plummeted to 0.1% in Q1 2026 from 0.9%, while government spending rose by 0.3%, down from 0.4%. Net external demand weighed on GDP, as exports grew by 2.1% but imports surged at a faster pace of 5.4%. On a positive note, fixed investment increased by 1.9%, following a 1.2% gain in the previous quarter. The Bank of Portugal warned that rising inflation and tighter financing conditions are likely to constrain consumption and investment throughout 2026.