Updated: August 4, 2026
Portugal tourism industry statistics show that the country remains one of Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations.
Based on the latest reports from Statistics Portugal (INE – Instituto Nacional de Estatística), Portugal welcomed 29.9 million international tourists in 2025, while tourist accommodation recorded 34.8 million guests and 89.7 million overnight stays.
Tourism generated about €36.2 billion, accounting for 11.8% of Portugal’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
At Goldcrest, our team of buyer’s agents compiled the latest tourism statistics in Portugal for 2026, such as top market trends, accommodations, tourism revenues, and more.
Portugal Tourism Industry Statistics: Key Takeaways
- Based on INE, 29.9 million non-resident tourists visited Portugal in 2025, which is 3.3% higher than in 2024.
- Portugal recorded 34.8 million guests and 89.7 million overnight stays the same year.
- Tourism contributed €36.2 billion to the local economy, which is 11.8% of Portugal's GDP.
- Most tourists in Portugal often come from Spain, the UK, France, Germany, the US, and Brazil.
- Lisbon and the Algarve remain among the top-most visited regions in the country.
Portugal Tourism Statistics: Market Overview
According to Portugal’s Tourism Satellite Account (INE), tourism generated 11.8% of Portugal’s GDP in 2025 for a total of €36.2 billion. These earnings come from direct tourism and indirect economic impacts across sectors, mainly accommodation, restaurants and food services, and transportation.
Tourism in Portugal also contributed 11.4% of Portugal’s Gross Value Added (GVA/VAB), for about €30.4 billion. Compared to 2024, Portugal’s tourism GDP increased by 5.3% in nominal terms while GVA (Gross Value Added) went up by 5.5%.
INE published another report in 2026 titled Tourism Statistics – 2025, or in Portuguese Estatísticas do Turismo. Based on this report, the latest trends include:
- 9 million international tourist arrivals
- 7 million overnight stays
- €29.1 billion from tourism exports
- €22 billion in tourism balance surplus
- €7.1 billion in accommodation revenue
These are the main pillars of the tourism industry and remain a valuable component in Portugal’s economy.
How many tourists visit Portugal each year?
That being said, Portugal’s accommodation capacity increased in 2025. In 2024, there were 8,506 active accommodation establishments, which went up by 3.2%, reaching 8,778 by 2025.
Accommodation capacity also jumped from 692,904 in 2024 to 703,886 in 2025, which was a +1.6% increase. This data evaluated hotels, local accommodations (with 10+ beds), rural tourism, lodging tourism, camping sites, youth hostels, and holiday camps.
Which nationalities visit Portugal the most?
The largest number of visitors comes from Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States. Spain remained Portugal’s largest source market for tourist arrivals.
In fact, many expats choose to visit Portugal before they purchase a property there. Here are the top inbound markets by country for 2025:
Country | Tourists | Share | Annual change |
Spain | 7.1 million | 23.8% | -0.6% |
United Kingdom | 3.6 million | 11.9% | +1.9% |
France | 3.3 million | 10.9% | -2.9% |
Germany | 2.5 million | 8.5% | +5.8% |
United States | 1.9 million | 6.4% | +6.9% |
Brazil | 1.5 million | 5.0% | +4.7% |
How much do tourists spend in Portugal annually?
Tourism generated approximately €29.1 billion in tourism export revenues in 2025
According to Portugal’s tourism balance:
- Tourism receipts increased 5.0% year-on-year
- Tourism expenditure by residents abroad reached €7.2 billion
- Portugal’s tourism balance surplus reached €22.0 billion (+5.1%)
Accommodation businesses generated:
- €7.1 billion in total revenue
- €5.5 billion in accommodation revenue
Looking to invest in Portugal? Check out our ultimate guide by local experts
What are the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal?
According to INE, the regions with the highest increase in overnight stays in 2025 are: Northern Portugal (+4.0%), Madeira (+3.9%), and the Alentejo (+3.8%). While regions that recorded a drop in overnight stays were the Setubal Peninsula (-3.5%) and the Algarve (-0.2%).
That being said, Portugal’s main destinations based on tourism volume are Lisbon, the Algarve, Porto, the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and the Azores.
What is Portugal’s tourism outlook for 2026?
According to Turismo de Portugal, in June 2026, tourist accommodation establishments had 3.1 million guests (+1.0%) and 8.1 million overnight stays (+0.7%).
The strongest year-on-year (YoY) growth in Portugal’s overnight stays came from:
- Denmark (+85.3%)
- Sweden (+17.4%)
- Poland (+10.0%)
The biggest increase was recorded in Northern Portugal (+4.8%), followed by Greater Lisbon (+2.3%), and the Alentejo region (+2.1%).
From January 2026 to June that same year, Portugal welcomed around 15.1 million visitors. As a result, the country recorded a total of 37 million overnight stays. Most of these non-resident travelers came from the UK (18.0%), Germany (11.9%), and the USA (10%).
Goldcrest: How We Can Help You
Goldcrest is the first buyer’s agent in Portugal. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.
Unlike traditional real estate agents in Portugal who represent the seller, we are dedicated exclusively to protecting the buyer’s interests.
If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.
Why choose Goldcrest?
- Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
- Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price.
- Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time. We can also help you buy property remotely.
- Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
- Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.
Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal Tourism Industry Statistics
Is tourism increasing in Portugal in 2026?
Yes, Portugal’s tourism sector is expected to continue growing in 2026. Based on the INE data, the country has performed well in the post-pandemic years. In 2025, Portugal received 34.8 million guests (+2.2% year-on-year growth) and 89.7 million overnight stays (+1.6% year-on-year).
How much does tourism contribute to Portugal’s GDP?
In 2025, tourism contributed €36.2 billion or 11.8% of Portugal’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The country recorded €29.1 billion in tourism exports, a €22 billion in tourism balance surplus, and €7.1 billion in accommodation revenue.
Why are there so many American tourists in Portugal?
American tourists often visit Portugal due to its lower costs for accommodation, budget-friendly dining, direct flights, and coastal lifestyle. Portugal enjoys 300+ days of annual sunshine and is renowned for its historic cities, golden sandy beaches, Port wine, and world-class golf courses.
Has tourism dropped in Portugal?
No. Tourism in Portugal has not dropped, but growth has slightly slowed compared to 2024. The 2025 reports from INE indicate that international arrivals have increased by 3.3%, the number of guests by 2.2%, and overnight stays by 1.6%.
