Doing business in Portugal

Portugal maintains strong economic ties with its EU partners, especially with Spain, Germany, and France, who are significant trading partners both in imports and exports:

• In 2023, Spain alone accounted for 26.75% of Portugal’s exports, followed by France (13.11%) and Germany (11.02%). Outside the EU, the United States was also a notable export destination, receiving 5.58% of Portugal’s exports.

• On the import side, Spain led with 33% of Portugal’s imports, followed by Germany (11.5%) and France (6.95%).

Foreign Direct Investment is a priority for Portugal, as evidenced by the USD 8 billion in FDI inflows reported in 2021, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. The country offers extensive infrastructure support, ranking 8th globally, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to access European, African, and American markets thanks to Portugal’s strategic position becoming a key hub, which is advantageous for international trade. Portugal’s ports, such as Lisbon and Leixões in Porto, play crucial roles as transit points for maritime trade.

Innovation is a key pillar of Portugal’s economic strategy, as testifies its high ranking in the CTA Innovation Scorecard 2019.

The country is progressing in sectors such as Information Technology, communication, renewable energy—the world’s second-largest solar power plant—and tourism. To further encourage investment, Portugal has established “free zones” and prioritizes renewable energy sources like solar and wave energy.