“The protection of vulnerable consumers is a concern for many Europeans, according to the latest Eurobarometer. This EU-wide survey focused on consumers’ perceptions of energy services, the information sources they use when choosing their energy suppliers, and areas for improvement in energy markets to better serve consumers,” states the European Commission in a release.
In the section concerning Portugal and areas for improvement, 45% of Portuguese respondents expressed a desire for more clarity and transparency in energy bills (compared to 34% across the EU), while 39% (versus 38% EU-wide) called for better protection of vulnerable consumers and those suffering from energy poverty.
For this Eurobarometer, 545 telephone interviews (landlines and mobile phones) were conducted with citizens over 18 in Portugal and 18,250 across the EU, between June 30 and July 15, 2025.
“The findings highlight the need for clearer communication, improved consumer protection, and simplified processes to support the transition to cleaner energy,” the European Commission adds.
Portugal is indicated as one of the EU countries with the highest levels of energy poverty, characterized by a large proportion of people unable to adequately access essential energy services such as domestic heating and cooling.
In the most recent State of the Energy Union report, Portugal recorded in 2023 the highest percentage in the EU (20.8%) of the population unable to keep their homes adequately heated, well above the EU average of about 10.6% and ahead of countries like Bulgaria or Lithuania, equalling Spain on this indicator.
It is estimated that between 1.9 to three million Portuguese face energy poverty, including approximately 660,000 to 680,000 in severe situations, often due to a combination of low incomes, poorly efficient homes, and high energy costs.
