A new study by the Behavioural Insights Unit at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, carried out in partnership with Bolt, reveals that only 27 percent of Portuguese residents aged between 18 and 29 associate owning a car with independence.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 people across Portugal in June, points to a changing attitude towards car ownership among Generation Z.

Rather than taking pride in having their own vehicle, 38 percent of those surveyed said financial stability was a stronger measure of freedom, while more than four in ten would also prefer access to several transport options (41 percent).

Around 56 percent also said that having a convenient way to travel matters more to them than owning a vehicle.

Financial burden

The cost of running a car appears to be the biggest reason young people are reluctant to buy one.

Nearly eight in ten respondents (78 percent) cited the expense involved in car ownership as a main deterrent, including the initial purchase price as well as fuel, insurance and maintenance.

Other practical concerns are also shaping attitudes, such as difficulty finding somewhere to park, mentioned by 43 percent of respondents, while 27 percent pointed to environmental concerns.

João Pedro Paz, Project Manager at Católica Lisbon's Behavioural Insights Unit, said the findings reflected a shift in how younger people think about mobility.

“Having a car remains an aspiration for many”, he said, but added that young people increasingly value convenience, flexibility and access to different transport options without taking on the financial burden of owning a vehicle.

Alternative transport

Despite the growing availability of ride-hailing and other shared mobility services, the most common everyday choices remain relatively straightforward.

Walking is used every day by 61 percent of respondents, while half say they use public transport daily.

Ride-hailing services such as Bolt are largely being used to fill gaps rather than replace those options, with around 24 percent of respondents using TVDE platforms every week, particularly when travelling at night or when public transport is unavailable.

When deciding how to travel, convenience ranks first, cited by 60 percent of young people.

Furthermore, the ability to travel at any time follows at 55 percent, while speed is important to 50 percent.

Shared mobility

The research also suggests that access to shared transport is beginning to influence whether young people feel they need a private vehicle at all.

Almost two-thirds of respondents (62 percent) said services offering shared or on-demand mobility reduce their need to buy a car.

For Mário de Morais, General Manager of Bolt Portugal, the findings have implications beyond individual consumer choices, arguing that policymakers planning the future of urban transport should take them into account.

According to Morais, the underlying message is that independence does not necessarily require car ownership, but young people want transport that is affordable, dependable and flexible.

He also points to closer integration between public transport and shared mobility as a potential way of providing a credible alternative to private cars.

Independent concept

These findings suggest that Portugal’s younger generation is not necessarily turning its back on cars altogether.

However, it is becoming less convinced that owning one should be a prerequisite for an independent adult life.

For Gen Z, freedom may increasingly mean being able to choose the most practical way to travel for a particular journey – whether that means walking, taking public transport or booking a ride.

This result could be a more mixed approach to mobility, with private cars existing alongside public transport and shared services rather than occupying such a dominant position.