Consumers in Madeira and the Azores are the least likely in Portugal to put money aside each month for emergencies, according to Intrum’s European Consumer Payment Report Portugal 2026.
Only 65% of respondents across the two autonomous regions said they saved monthly to cover unforeseen circumstances, including a possible loss of income. This is seven percentage points below the national average of 72% and slightly below the European average of 66%.
Across Portugal, the proportion saving each month rose by 12 percentage points from 60% in 2025.
The report also found that consumers in Madeira and the Azores were the least likely to retain their savings when they could use the money to repay most or all of their debts.
Just 31% would choose to preserve their financial reserves while debts remained outstanding, compared with 39% nationally.
At the opposite end of the scale, 53% of respondents in the Alentejo would keep their savings rather than use them to settle debts. The figures were 35% in the Algarve and 34% in the North.
Among age groups, baby boomers were the most likely to prioritise retaining a financial reserve, with 44% expressing this preference.
However, the greater willingness among respondents in the autonomous regions to use savings to repay debts does not necessarily indicate a stronger financial position. The regions also recorded the lowest proportion of respondents reporting regular monthly saving.
Nationally, 70% of respondents said they could cover an unexpected expense of €400 without borrowing, up from 57% in 2025. There was a substantial gap between men and women: 79% of men said they could meet such an expense, compared with 59% of women.
Household circumstances also made a difference. Among households without children, 74% said they could cover the cost, falling to 60% among those with children.
Confidence in meeting regular financial commitments also improved. Some 79% of Portuguese consumers believed they could pay all their bills, eight percentage points more than in 2025, while 80% said they could cover essentials such as food and fuel.
Nevertheless, saving still involves sacrifices for many people. Around 65% said they prioritised building financial reserves even when this meant giving up purchases or experiences they enjoyed.
That figure rose by two percentage points compared with 2025 and was 16 percentage points above the European average of 49%.
Luís Salvaterra, managing director of Intrum Portugal, said the findings highlighted the importance of savings in providing financial security, particularly when unexpected expenses arise.
However, he stressed the need to balance building reserves with meeting financial obligations, helping to prevent temporary difficulties from developing into greater financial vulnerability.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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