Social rents, tolls and transport costs have risen today, January 1st, 2019, but there will be a 3.5% drop in electricity costs in the regulated market this year, with a smaller decrease for those with accounts in the liberalised market.
Non-alcoholic drnks thata re loaded with sugar will be penalised firther in 2019, with the State Budget applying tax according to the drink's sugar content.
The Petroleum Products Tax has fallen by three cents per litre for petrol..
Toll prices on motorways increased by 0.88%, taking into account the annual rate of inflation, excluding housing, published by the Institute of Statistics.
Infraestruturas de Portugal has announced that it will increase tolls in 22% of its network.
In addition, higher cars, such as SUVs and minivans, will start paying less on tolls under a new legal framework.
Public transport costs are expected to increase by 1.14% in the capital with other areas following.
Vehicle Tax (ISV) and Single Traffic Tax (IUC) rates are expected to rise by an average of 1.3% this year, but should fall on less polluting cars. The government has proposed a transitional regime for 2019 in the light of the new methodology for calculating CO2 emissions - based on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle, which will see taxes rise.
Nos and Meo already have announced that they will raise telecom prices this year to keep up with inflation. Vodafone remains undecided.
The price of bread may rise this year, following the increase in the minimum wage and a rise in the cost of the ingredients, according to the president of the Association of Northern Bakers.
"Companies are absorbing their costs to become much more efficient. I do not know what businesses will do, but I believe they may have to pass price rises on to the consumer," said António Fontes.
Tobacco tax rises - smokers will be paying around ten cents more per pack.
