Energy bills put a strain on households in Portugal: Nearly 3 in 10 people say they cut back on basic expenses

In Portugal, electricity, gas and fuel costs continue to put pressure on household budgets. According to a new European survey, 85 percent of people in Portugal are worried about the amount of their electricity and gas bills, and 77 percent are worried about their expenses for gasoline or diesel.

The more striking data is the sacrifices made by families.

28 percent of the Portuguese who participated in the survey stated that they had to give up important expenses such as food or healthcare in some periods in order to pay their energy bills in the last 12 months.

When it comes to fuel costs, the rate of those who say they sacrifice other basic expenses is 30 percent.

Data shows that energy costs in Portugal are not just a "high bill" debate, but can even lead to a choice between basic needs in some households.

Electricity and gas bills worry 85 percent of Portuguese

The research comes from the 20th edition of the poverty and economic vulnerability barometer prepared by the Secours Populaire Français.

In a study comparing ten European countries, 68 percent of participants in Portugal evaluated their energy expenditure as high.

But concern about the financial strain the bills could create in the future is much more widespread than that.

In Portugal, 85 percent of participants use electricity and gas. He says he is worried about the amount of his bills.

For fuel, the rate is 77 percent.

This rate is above the European average of 73 percent in the countries included in the research.

28 percent waived expenses such as food or healthcare

The most important result of the research is seen in the impact of energy bills on other basic needs.

In Portugal, 28 percent of respondents say they have often or sometimes forgone major expenses, including food or healthcare, to pay their energy bills in the past 12 months.

The average across Europe is 38 percent.

Although Portugal fares better on this indicator than some countries surveyed, a higher proportion of nearly one in four say their energy costs compete directly with other basic needs.

There is a similar picture in fuel expenses.

30 percent of Portuguese people report having to cut other major expenses to cover fuel costs.

Heating is turned off in some rooms of the house

The methods used by households to reduce the bill were also investigated.

In Portugal, 57 percent of respondents say they turn off the heating in some rooms of the house to save energy.

While 38 percent stated that they consciously kept the home temperature below 18 degrees, 40 percent stated that they reduced or reduced the use of some electrical devices such as ovens or washing machines. He states that he quit.

33 percent of the participants report that they use methods such as taking fewer showers or cold showers.

These results show that energy poverty cannot be measured solely by whether the bill can be paid.

Even if a household pays its bills on time, if it does so at the expense of not adequately heating the house or cutting back on other needs, economic pressure continues.

Children are also affected

The research also examined the effects on children in families who struggle to keep their homes warm or cool enough.

Across Europe, 74 percent of parents with this condition report observing at least one negative outcome in their child.

These include sleep problems and difficulty concentrating.

According to the research, Portugal is among the countries where these effects are felt especially strongly.

This result indicates that energy poverty may have consequences not only in economic terms, but also in terms of education and health.

The research has an important detail: The survey was conducted in 2025

When evaluating the data, an important methodological detail should not be overlooked.

Although the results were brought to the agenda again in September 2026, the surveys were conducted between May 26 and July 6, 2025.

Therefore, figures such as 85 percent, 77 percent or 28 percent are not an instant public opinion measurement made in September 2026.

The research was conducted in 10 countries with a total of 10 thousand people, in each country It was held online with approximately 1,000 participants.

The samples were created to represent national populations according to gender, age, occupation, region and settlement type.

This distinction is important because the figures should not be read as a knee-jerk reaction to today's energy prices, but as an indicator of the energy fragility that already exists in Portugal.

Food prices are also rising at the same time

The impact of energy costs on the household budget becomes more significant with the increase in other basic expenses.

The basket in which DECO PROteste monitors 63 basic food products reached 255.26 euros as of September 9, 2026.

The same basket was 13.43 euros cheaper in the first week of 2026.

In other words, the cost of the same basic food basket has increased by approximately 5.55 percent since the beginning of the year.

The difference compared to about four and a half years ago, when DECO started monitoring, is 67.56 euros, that is, approximately 36 percent.

Therefore, the impact of the increase or high level of energy costs is not limited to the electricity and gas bill; Households also have to cover other basic expenses such as food, housing and transportation from the same budget.

Why is energy poverty important for Portugal?

Portugal's energy poverty problem is not only caused by income levels.

Old and energy-inefficient housing stock, inadequate insulation, and inadequate heating of homes in winter are other parts of the problem.

Therefore low income Even if the bill support given to a household provides relief in the short term, a poorly insulated home may continue to consume more energy for the same amount of comfort.

That is why it is critical to consider income support, energy tariffs and energy efficiency of buildings together in the fight against energy poverty.

What does the table say for the Portuguese?

The most striking point in the research is that Portuguese people are not worried about energy prices, but rather that some households say they are giving up other basic needs to meet these bills.

The fact that those who stated that they had to cut down on food and health expenses for the electricity or gas bill reached 28 percent shows the chain effect of energy costs on the household budget.

Moreover, the rise in the basic food basket in 2026 narrows the room for maneuver for low- and middle-income families.

For this reason, not only the bill itself, but also which income groups have to give up other basic needs due to energy costs will be one of the critical indicators in the energy supports that may be announced in the coming period.

Resources

ECO / Lusa — 10 September 2026 — “Custo da energia preocupa 80% dos portugueses e leva a cortes na alimentação e saúde”

Secours Populaire Français — 20th Baromètre de la pauvreté et de la précarité

DECO PROteste — Fátima Martins, Susana Pereira, Ana Rita Costa and Filipa Nunes — September 9, 2026 — “Quanto estão aumentar os alimentos?”