Rising consumer complaints in Portugal

Consumer complaints in Portugal have shown an upward trend throughout 2026. In the fuel sector, complaints rose by over 84% compared to the previous year, with 665 grievances recorded through August. These were primarily driven by dissatisfaction with loyalty programs, promotions, and unapplied discounts, which accounted for 40.15% of the sector's total complaints.

Broadening to the national level, total complaints via the Portal da Queixa reached 106,619 in the first half of 2026, representing a 1.6% increase from 2025. The number of brands targeted grew by 20.8%. Significant increases were noted in after-sales service issues, including an 82% surge in warranty refusals and a 63.7% rise in insurance claim decisions. Additionally, the rate of closed complaints ending without a resolution increased from 37.5% to 40.3%, while the median time to close a complaint rose from 29 to 31 days.

Recent data highlights sharp increases in digital services and private healthcare. According to ANACOM, complaints regarding digital services rose by 195% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Of the 121 complaints recorded, 68% related to the “suspension, restriction, or removal of accounts and content,” with Meta platforms accounting for over half of these grievances.

In the healthcare sector, total complaints rose by 23% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching 4,700. Private sector complaints increased by 30%, making up 76% of all healthcare grievances. While clinical care is the primary issue, there was a 61% surge in complaints regarding health and wellness products. Within private hospitals, CUF, Lusíadas Saúde, Hospital da Luz, and Trofa Saúde collectively represent nearly 97% of complaints in their subcategory.