This Easter, between April 2 and 5, consumption in Portugal grew by 16%, driven by a strong boost from MB WAY, according to data shared by SIBS Analytics.
The total number of operations, which includes in-store purchases and withdrawals, recorded a 16% increase compared to the previous year’s Easter period. The total value of transactions also saw a 15% rise, with the average transaction value at 38€.
During this period, MB WAY continued to consolidate its position as the preferred payment method for the Portuguese, with the number of operations growing by 36% compared to Easter 2025. Regarding the value of operations carried out via MB WAY, there was a 46% increase, with the average spend for MB WAY purchases settling at 25€.
In terms of Easter preparations, between March 26 and 29, there was an increase in activity within the retail sector. In supermarkets, the value of purchases rose progressively throughout the week, peaking on Saturday, April 4 (+48% compared to the daily average of the previous week). The average spend for the week was 31€ (4€ more than the daily average).
On Easter Sunday, the restaurant sector stood out, with a 20% growth in the number of operations and a 12% increase in transaction value compared to 2025. The average spend by the Portuguese in restaurants rose to 30€ (7€ more than the previous week), with 1 in 4 purchases in this sector being made by foreigners.
Regarding internal mobility, consumption data reflects the displacement of Portuguese families during the festive season away from large urban centers. While the districts of Lisbon (-10%) and Setúbal (-3%) recorded negative variations in local consumption, regions such as Viana do Castelo (+19%), Faro (+17%), Viseu (+13%), Aveiro (+9%), and Leiria (+9%) saw significant increases.
On the international front, the volume of transactions by Portuguese travelers abroad grew by 22%, with Spain (39%) and France (17%) as the main destinations. The average spend abroad was 43€. Simultaneously, foreign consumption on national soil increased by 25% in number and 22% in value. Tourists from Spain (21%), the United Kingdom (14%), France (9%), Germany (9%), and the United States (8%) contributed most to this dynamism, with the average spend of foreigners in Portugal at 36€.