The 2025 Tourism Statistics released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) state that the country welcomed 29.9 million international tourists, a 3.3% increase over 2024.

However, this figure indicates a clear slowdown when compared to the significant 9.3% rise recorded the previous year. In total, domestic tourist accommodations registered 34.8 million guests, an increase of 2.2%, and 89.7 million overnight stays, equivalent to a 1.6% rise.

Key takeaways

One of the key takeaways from the official data is the gradual shift in the profile of source markets. Although the three largest international markets continue to drive demand, their combined share of non-resident overnight stays fell to 38.5%, the lowest level recorded since 2013, signalling a diversification of demand.

European market

Against this backdrop, Spain remained the leading source market, accounting for 23.8% of the total, despite a 0.6% drop compared to 2024; the decline in Spanish visitors was even more pronounced regarding overnight stays, which fell by 5.1%.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom held onto second place with an 11.9% share, standing out as the only one of the top three markets to see an increase in visitor numbers (up 1.9%) and continuing to lead in total foreign overnight stays with a 17.3% share, despite a 1.7% decline.

France remained in third place, accounting for 10.9% of tourists, despite experiencing a significant contraction of 2.9% in visitor numbers and 6.6% in overnight stays.

Poland also stands out, having recorded one of the year's most robust growth rates, with an 11.4% increase in overnight stays.

North American market

Meanwhile, the North American market continues to establish itself as one of the most dynamic drivers of national tourism; the number of visitors from the United States grew by 6.9% in 2025, and their overnight stays rose by 5.3%, now accounting for 9.1% of total international overnight stays, closing in on Spain's 9.4% share.

In economic terms, North Americans have become even more significant, overtaking the French to enter the top three markets generating the highest net tourism revenue for the country, trailing only the United Kingdom and Germany (the latter having recorded 1.3% growth in overnight stays).

Combating seasonality

These figures also reveal notable progress in combating seasonality: the rate fell to 36.4%, the lowest level recorded since 2013, indicating a more even distribution of activity throughout the year among both domestic and foreign tourists.

Geographically, international tourists generated more overnight stays than residents in 70 Portuguese municipalities; among the 25 municipalities where foreign visitors accounted for over 75% of overnight stays, the Autonomous Region of Madeira led with ten municipalities, followed by the Algarve (seven), the Azores (five), the North region (two), and Greater Lisbon (one).