Consumers in Madeira and the Azores are the least likely in Portugal to set money aside each month for emergencies, according to Intrum's European Consumer Payment Report Portugal 2026.
Only 65% of respondents in the two autonomous regions said they saved monthly, below the national average of 72% and slightly below the European average of 66%. Nationally, the share rose 12 percentage points from 60% in 2025.
The regions were also least likely to keep savings when they could use them to repay debts, with 31% choosing to preserve reserves compared with 39% nationally. The report notes this does not necessarily point to a stronger financial position.