Lisbon, Sept. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's government said on Saturday that the upgrade of Portugal's credit rating is «a further step towards credibility and growing international confidence» and confirms the country's status as «an increasingly important partner».
«Portugal is now stronger, more credible and enjoys greater international recognition. The upgrade to an A+ rating is a further step in the credibility that Portugal has been building, as well as in the growing international confidence in our country,» the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on social media.
In the post, the ministry led by Paulo Rangel states that «over the last two years, Portugal has strengthened its international standing and its ability to establish itself as an increasingly relevant, predictable and reliable partner».
«This is confirmation of that path,» the Government considers.
Fitch has upgraded Portugal's rating from ‘A' to ‘A+', with a stable outlook, indicating that this upgrade «reflects the strengthening of Portugal's public finances, including a projected path of public debt reduction and budget balances considerably stronger than those of its peers, underpinned by a strong political commitment to fiscal prudence».
The finance minister, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, stated in a press release that the improvement in Portugal's credit rating places the country on a par with France and Belgium, whilst also demonstrating «the confidence of international investors».
This result is «yet another major victory for Portugal, particularly as this improvement comes against a geopolitical and economic backdrop that continues to present challenges», the minister said, as quoted in the press release.
The president of Portugal, António José Seguro, also welcomed the upgrade of Portugal's credit rating.
«The President of the Republic welcomes Fitch's decision to raise the Portuguese Republic's credit rating from ‘A' to ‘A+', with a stable outlook. This is excellent news for the country and an important external recognition of Portugal's performance, the result of medium- and long-term progress, underpinned by the efforts of the Portuguese people and a commitment to fiscal responsibility maintained across successive governments,» said Seguro, in a message published on the Presidency's website.
A ‘rating' is an assessment assigned by credit rating agencies, which has a major impact on the financing of countries and companies, as it assesses credit risk.
JH/ADB // ADB.
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