Portimão Municipality Gives €15 Shopping Vouchers to 7,500 Students to Support Local Commerce
The “This Christmas, Shop Local” campaign aims to boost local businesses and help ensure a happier festive season for children and their families.
As in previous years, the Municipality of Portimão will distribute shopping vouchers to 7,500 children and young people in pre-school, and in the first, second and third cycles of basic education. The initiative represents a total investment of €112,500.
Designed to support local enterprises and families, the vouchers are intended for the purchase of Christmas gifts, helping ensure a more joyful holiday period for the children covered by the scheme.
Each child will receive €15 in vouchers (three €5 units), which will be distributed through the municipality’s five school clusters. They can be used until 31 January 2026 at participating shops and service providers.
Boosting Portimão’s Town Centre Commerce
The incentive scheme has shown consistently positive results. The 2024 figures indicate that more than 75,000 vouchers were redeemed, a 15% increase compared to 2023, generating close to €1 million in sales at participating establishments.
“This Christmas, Shop Local” Campaign
In 2025, this initiative forms part of the broader “This Christmas, Shop Local” campaign under the Comércio do Centro Portimão brand. The programme is a partnership between Portimão City Council, the Algarve Region Traders and Services Association (ACRAL) the Portimão Traders and Services Association (APCS) and the Portimão Tourism Association (ATP). A total of €30,000 has been allocated to stimulate the local economy during the festive season.
Running from 1 to 31 December 2025, the campaign targets residents aged 18 and over who shop at participating businesses and submit their completed entry coupons at the Balcão Único de Portimão, on the first floor of the municipal service centre on Rua do Comércio. Coupons can be handed in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00.
For every purchase of €10 or more at participating retail, food or service businesses, customers receive coupons for fortnightly draws, giving them the chance to win shopping vouchers worth €25, €50 or €100.
Participation is free for businesses, which simply need to fill out a registration form in person at the Balcão Único. Registered shops receive coupon booklets to distribute to customers. Participating establishments display a sticker with the campaign logo.
Draws will take place at 11:00 on 10 December, 12 December and 6 January at the Balcão Único premises.
Each week, 160 vouchers worth €25, 60 worth €50 and 30 worth €100 will be awarded, totalling €5,000 in prizes to be spent at participating businesses. Winners may collect their vouchers once notified, and use them in any participating shop for purchases of €10 or more until 31 January 2026.
Full details are available on the Portimão Municipality website, where the complete campaign regulations can also be consulted.
