Portugal increases Defence Spending to 3.1% of GDP in 2026

Portugal Business News - Valerie Charoux
56 minutes ago
2 min read

Defence News Europe - Portugal increases its Defence Spending to 3.1% of GDP in 2026, according to an announcement by Portugal´s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, at the NATO Summit held in Ankara on July 7-8, 2026. Here is the list of Portugal´s Defence priorities:

Portugal´s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, highlighted the common commitment of NATO´s European partners, as well as Canada, and the United States towards strengthening investment in Defense, as this will allow NATO to increase its capacity to respond to security challenges in a context of growing international instability.

What is Portugal´s Defence Investment as a percentage of GDP?

Portugal´s Defence Investment as a percentage of GDP in 2026 is to increase its aggregate investment to around 3.1% of GDP in 2026, including Defense spending and investments with simultaneous investments in both the civilian and military sectors, thus maintaining the trajectory agreed with NATO allies.

Portugal exceeded the target of investing 2% of its GDP in 2025, that represented an increase of 38% in Defence investment compared to the previous year.

What are Portugal´s Defence priorities?

Here is the list of Portugal´s Defence priorities:

1 - Portugal´s stance towards the Defence of Ukraine:

Portugal reaffirmed its commitment towards supporting Ukraine through the joint effort of NATO allies:

Portugal will once again match the military and financial support granted to Ukraine in the previous two years and will participate in Ukraine's Air Defense Support Program, with a contribution of approximately 50 million euros.

For Portugal´s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, support for Ukraine remains essential for collective security and for defending the democratic values shared by NATO allies.

2 - Portugal´s stance towards maritime security:

Portugal reiterated the importance of NATO maintaining a 360-degree view of security, paying special attention to the southern flank and maritime security

3 - Portugal´s stance towards the protection of critical infrastructure:

Portugal highlighted that the protection of critical infrastructure, such as the submarine cables that ensure the connection between Europe and North America, was a priority.

4 - Portugal´s stance towards the Defence industry:

Portugal recognized that the Defense industry was a strategic pillar for all NATO allies and emphasized the role of small and medium-sized enterprises for the each country´s economy.

Portugal´s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, stated that increased investment in the Defence sector should contribute to boost innovation, technological development, the creation of skilled jobs, and the competitiveness of the economy.