British visitors top tourist spending charts in Portugal

Between January and June, tourists from the United Kingdom made an impressive 16 million card transactions across Portugal, spending a remarkable €518 million in total.

This figure, drawn from Turismo de Portugal data based on SIBS statistics, represents a healthy 6.2% increase compared to the same period last year — a clear sign that Portugal's appeal to British travellers continues to grow stronger year on year.

This spending was spread generously across the country, with the Algarve and Greater Lisbon regions being the biggest beneficiaries, together capturing more than half of all foreign card expenditure. These figures highlight just how deeply British tourism supports local businesses in Portugal's most popular holiday destinations.

Looking at the bigger picture, foreign card payments across Portugal reached an outstanding €3.7 billion in the first six months of the year. The UK comfortably led the way, well ahead of the United States in second place, whose visitors spent €2.4 million during the same period.

British visitors also spent generously per transaction, averaging €32.70 — a strong showing that reflects confident, enjoyable spending on everything from dining to shopping.

Across all nationalities, Portugal's tourism sectors flourished. Retail led the way with roughly €1.4 billion in foreign spending, while restaurants welcomed over €1 billion, showcasing the nation's beloved culinary scene.

Accommodation providers also had a excellent half-year, recording around €735 million in payments. Altogether, spending on dining, accommodation and travel agencies combined reached a brilliant €1.8 billion, highlighting just how much visitors are investing directly in their Portuguese experiences.

Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Club, said: "These figures confirm what we're seeing on the ground — Portugal's tourism sector isn't just recovering, it's thriving, and that strength is exactly why we continue to see such strong appetite from investors.

“When record numbers of visitors are spending record sums in hotels, restaurants and leisure venues, that translates bodes well for returns on tourism-linked funds. For those looking at the Golden Visa residency-by-investment fund route, this is precisely the kind of underlying performance you want backing your investment: a sector with genuine, sustained demand rather than one propped up by short-term trends. It's a strong argument for choosing eligible funds with real exposure to Portugal's tourism economy.”

To find out more about investing in Portugal’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme and its benefits, click here.

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About Portugal Pathways

‍‍Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on estate planning, wealth management, Golden Visa and tax optimisation, including post-NHR / IFICI tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, money transfers and bespoke relocation and luxury real estate solutions to enhance life and investment in Portugal

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Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.

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