Lisbon, April 23, 2026 (Lusa) – Payment delays are triggering a domino effect in supply chains, with 62% of European companies paying suppliers late due to delayed receivables and 60% of firms in Portugal, according to Intrum.

European companies receive approximately 12% of their revenue late, exceeding levels considered sustainable for operational management, according to the 29th edition of the European Payment Report released on Thursday. Portugal shows a similar trend, with the proportion standing at 10.27%.

The study indicated that 57% of European companies missed growth targets due to payment delays, even though 64% identify growth as their main priority for 2026. These delays generate a domino effect across supply chains, as 62% of European firms admit to paying suppliers later because they have not received their own payments on time.

In Portugal, that figure stands at 60%.

In the B2B segment (commercial transactions between businesses), the gap between agreed terms and actual payment increased from 16 days in 2023 to 20 days in 2026, reflecting worsening conditions. More than half of the surveyed companies expect the risk of delays or defaults to increase over the next 12 months amid economic uncertainty.

In response, 58% of companies claim to be strengthening payment discipline, while 66% use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in payment processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Payment delays "are increasingly affecting the day-to-day stability of companies and limiting the ability to achieve growth ambitions," said Intrum CEO Johan Åkerblom. Intrum senior economist Anna Zabrodzka-Averianov said that delays create "a vicious cycle," spreading through supply chains and affecting the wider economy.

The European Payment Report 2026 covers 8,385 companies across 20 European countries and analyses payment management, financial risk, and the impact of economic uncertainty.

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