Stories
Portugal’s non-habitual residence (NHR) programme will end on 31 December 2023. Prime Minister, Antonio Costa first made the announcement on 2 October and it has now been included in the 2024 Portugal State Budget.
Waiting times have already dropped at Lisbon and Faro airports
In July 2023, for the first time, 10% of the electricity consumed in Portugal was generated by solar energy, according to new data from REN – Reds Energeticas Nacionais.
The foreign resident population in Portugal increased last year for the 7th consecutive year, totalling 781,915 citizens.
The Portuguese government issued – after an extended public hearing period – the final draft of its controversial ‘More Housing’ (Mais Habitação) Bill on 30 March, which directly impacts on the country’s Golden Visa (GV) programme.
The UK is currently experiencing the tightest labour market conditions in years, with many businesses struggling to find enough workers to meet customer demands and support growth. This challenge is compounded by the introduction of a new immigration framework following the UK's exit from the EU.
The Portuguese group Olicargo Transport and Logistics, which has logistics platforms in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and China, is to build a new 25,000m2 logistics centre to serve the Lisbon region.
It will be another year of challenges, but Portugal is still on the radar. Here are chamber member’s Bondstone predictions for 2023.
The region is already attracting remote workers and digital nomads. And a community is sprouting to create a series of structures to welcome, attract and keep them.
On Tuesday 29th November, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK had the pleasure of hosting 60+ members and guests at our 2022 Annual Dinner, at the Carlton Club in central London.
Get Properties, the sister company of Chamber members Get Golden Visa, have just published their October 2023 White Paper entitled The Great UK Outflow, which analyses how and why British capital is currently moving out of the United Kingdom and the reasons behind British investors’ appetite for properties abroad.
For one hour last Friday, Portugal was promoted on the digital billboards of Times Square in New York as part of a promotional campaign designed to capitalise on the American tourism ‘boom’ that the country has been enjoying recently.
Last Thursday (20th of October), the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars, organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, returned to central London at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel.
Portugal’s government has announced that important changes to working and student visas for non-EU residents heading for Portugal will begin from November.
Luis Castro Henriques, the Chairman & CEO of AICEP, Portugal’s Trade & Investment Agency, reflects on the diverse FDI scene in Portugal
“The Portuguese Innovation Ecosyem is now able to attract talent from all over the world. As the world becomes small due to digitalisation, Portugal’s talent is spreading across the world once again”
Joana Mendonça, the President of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency, reflects on raising the right talent
Joana Mendonça, the President of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency, reflects on raising the right talent
Joana Mendonça, the President of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency, reflects on raising the right talent
Joana Mendonça, the President of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency, reflects on raising the right talent
Lisbon is Europe's Smartest City. Voted Europe's Green Capital in 2022, the city of Lisbon is the perfect example of how investing in sustainable and ecological methods of transport pays off.
Christina Hippisley from the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK explains how foreign investors can also use the programme to make direct investments into fast-growing Portuguese companies.
by Carolina Maia 10th August 2022
Until recently the village of Tagilde had forgotten its role in the treaty, which was signed in its church on July 10, 1372. So had most historians. But its effects were momentous: it began the oldest diplomatic alliance between two nations still in force.
Brussels accepted an agreement with Portugal for cohesion policy funds and maritime affairs, fisheries and aquaculture, worth €23 billion.
Portugal has picked 51 consortia to invest a total of 7.57 billion euros ($8 billion) in green and other innovative projects over the next four years as part of the European Union's recovery programme.
Applications for the so-called 'gold visas' have resumed and several new requests for Investment Residence Permits (ARI) have already been presented, the Portuguese Association of Real Estate Developers and Investors (APPII) announced on Friday, the 17th of June..
A new report by Get Golden Visa predicts a “golden visa frenzy” as Americans look to work remotely abroad and escape inflation. The data doesn't lie.
by Carolina Maia 24th May 2022
The Chamber is delighted to be a strategic partner of Bar Douro, the organisers of FESTA, London’s very first Portuguese wine and food festival, on the 24th and 25th June.
Taking over East London’s Tobacco Dock, FESTA celebrates everything that is exciting about Portugal right now!
Taking over East London’s Tobacco Dock, FESTA celebrates everything that is exciting about Portugal right now!
Lisbon’s tech scene is bustling and the city is one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems, making a name for itself as Europe’s Silicon Valley.
According to its official statement, "the Immigration and Border Service (SEF) operates four new generation e-gates at Lisbon Airport, ensuring a faster and more functional border control at arrivals for nationals of the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore."
“There are not many places you can say this about, but in Portugal, science is foundational. The applicability of AI is going to reach into every area, and Portugal’s embrace of science across all levels is truly a multiplier.”
Our Chamber Corporate member Antonio Rosa from Blacktower Financial Management Group in Portugal presents his insight on the latest speculation created lately about the possibility of central bank interest rate rises.
A new art prize for Portugal
This year will see our Chamber Corporate members the Sovereign Group launch the inaugural Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize.
This year will see our Chamber Corporate members the Sovereign Group launch the inaugural Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize.
by Carolina Maia 10th January 2022
Andre Jordan speaks out on the recent political attacks on Portugal’s Golden Visa programme
Chamber member Andre Jordan, of Portugal’s Andre Jordan Group, known as the ‘father of Portuguese tourism’, was appointed an OBE by the Queen in 2021 for his services to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Below he defends the role of Portugal’s Golden Visa programme in attracting new foreign investors and residents to Portugal.
Chamber member Andre Jordan, of Portugal’s Andre Jordan Group, known as the ‘father of Portuguese tourism’, was appointed an OBE by the Queen in 2021 for his services to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Below he defends the role of Portugal’s Golden Visa programme in attracting new foreign investors and residents to Portugal.
On the 24th November, we were delighted to welcome our Corporate members SDM from the Madeira International Business Centre to our Madeira Business Networking Reception at the Portuguese Embassy in London.
The Chamber's first in-person networking dinner since October 2019 was held on Tuesday 16th November 2021, at the Cavalry and Guards Club in central London.
by Carolina Maia 18th October 2021
The readers of Condé Nast Traveller have voted Portugal the Best Country in the World in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
by Carolina Maia 11th October 2021
Portugal is the #4 country in the EU with the most electric chargers per 100km of road, according to a recent report from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)
by Namrata Majithia 13th August 2021
Chamber Members Think&Grow interviewed Jacqueline Purcell, CFO of Deputy, who shares her career advice for aspiring CFOs and tips for founders raising capital.
by Namrata Majithia 4th August 2021
Portugal’s recently released census data shows that the country has lost 214,286 citizens since 2011.This may not sound like a great deal, but for a country that has been steadily shrinking for years it is a “disaster”, warns TV pundit and former leader of the PSD party Luís Marques Mendes. Unless something changes radically, Portugal is on course for a situation in just a few decades time where the Social Security system will simply break down.
Tate Britain's recent opening of its Paula Rego exhibition is the largest and most comprehensive retrospective of the world famous Portuguese artist's work to date.
The recent release of the short video 'For a Better Planet, a Better Tourism" demonstrates how Portugal, mindful of its need to survive and thrive post Covid, is preparing to be one of the most sustainable tourism destinations in the world.
by Namrata Majithia 6th July 2021
In recent years, the Alentejo has captured the world’s attention—an agricultural region that people like to compare to Tuscany, with dusty wide-open landscapes under epic skies that some have likened to African savannas. It’s also rich in history, and home to some of Portugal’s best wines and gastronomy.
by Namrata Majithia 18th June 2021
With reduced taxation, excellent infrastructures, competitive operational costs, safety and quality of life, Madeira is positioned to provide investors with a unique package of benefits, offering a wide range of solutions to enhance the efficiency and performance of various forms of investment.
by Namrata Majithia 18th June 2021
Portuguese production services firm Spy Manor Productions has formed a strategic collaboration with Production Algarve and UK production company MovieBox Group to boost the Algarve region with new studios, co-productions, and a fund to support international co-productions.
To meet a jump in demand, the country’s bike-making industry is building new factories, hiring workers and dealing with parts shortages.
How to expand your business into Lisbon. Hear from a few experts on the benefits, plus unmissable hotspots!
AICEP, Portugal’s trade and investment authority, launches a ground-breaking “MADE IN PORTUGAL naturally” digital marketing campaign showcasing furniture, lighting, textiles, flooring and ceramics.
The impact of Brexit on British homeowners in Portugal who have chosen not to adopt resident status – implications for them and Portugal’s economy.
Portugal's unique blend of innovation and tradition has given its industries an edge they are now taking to the global markets, Danielle Myles reports.
by Namrata Majithia 26th February 2021
by Namrata Majithia 9th December 2020
On 30th November 2020, the British government updated its official guidance for UK businesses on rules for selling services to Portugal from 1 January 2021.
Natasha Donn in the Portugal Resident reports on Portugal’s approach to ensuring high numbers of Brits continue to move to Portugal or visit for extended periods of time.
by Namrata Majithia 2nd December 2020
Internations.org, the organisers of the annual Expat Survey that surveys thousands of expats living around the world, has just published its 2020 ranking for The Best (& Worst) Cities for Expats in 2020
Destinations on the Iberian Peninsula come out on top in the Expat City Ranking 2020, with Valencia, Alicante, and Lisbon on the podium. The other end of the ranking offers more mixed results, though.
Destinations on the Iberian Peninsula come out on top in the Expat City Ranking 2020, with Valencia, Alicante, and Lisbon on the podium. The other end of the ranking offers more mixed results, though.
by Namrata Majithia 26th November 2020
Portugal’s shoemakers are having an uphill struggle to survive the pandemic. With the demise of social occasions, the demand for ‘fancy shoes’ has slumped. Thus the conscious decision to ‘switch to comfy’ and even diversify into masks and ‘other products’.
Altice Empresas' new approach to the international market
by Namrata Majithia 12th November 2020
We are delighted to announce that the Chamber continues to be the Public Enquiry Point for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Portugal, which held its 2020 AGM on Wed 14th October.
Learn more about the perks of remote working in Portugal - from two professionals who’ve already made the move
by Namrata Majithia 23rd September 2020
In the first climate case to be filed with the European Court of Human Rights, six Portuguese young people argue inadequate emissions cuts violate their human rights..
Read More
Read More
This summer will see the opening of World of Wine (Wow) in Porto.
by Namrata Majithia 25th June 2020
Post-Covid-19, there has never been a more critical and urgent time for the world to come together in the face of a health and economic crisis. Yet, despite the global uncertainty, the special relationship between Portugal and the United Kingdom looks set to endure, says UK Ambassador to Portugal, Chris Sainty, who was addressing members of our strategic partners, the British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Portugal (BPCC), who organized the recent webinar ‘Our Old Alliance and the Future Ahead’.
by Namrata Majithia 27th May 2020
Jorge Branco from The Telegraph reports on how this unlikely feat has been achieved. Portugal is not a rich country. It doesn’t have Germany’s advanced pharmaceutical and manufacturing system, South Korea’s prior experience with Mers, Denmark and Switzerland’s money or the UK’s elite higher education system.
by Namrata Majithia 5th May 2020
Tourism businesses scramble to salvage summer as the easing of Portugal’s lockdown is on the horizon
by Namrata Majithia 23rd April 2020
The Algarve Daily News reports that there are no tourists occupying any of the Algarve’s big resorts as of right now. The home page of popular resort and hotel operator Vila Gale sends a very clear message, with the company’s website urging visitors to #STAYHOME.
While we wait for lockdown restrictions to ease in the UK, so that we can return to hosting our usual programme of live events, the Chamber is adapting fast to the new realities of virtual business.
On January 29, 2020, the European Parliament approved the agreement on the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). On January 31, 2020, the agreement entered into force and the United Kingdom left the European Union. However, a transition period was established, lasting until December 31, 2020. In this document, we analyze some of the most relevant aspects of the agreement relating to residence and social security, trade, financial services, intellectual property, jurisdiction, applicable law, insolvency, and taxation.
We asked one of our Chamber members, lawyer Cristina Silva Dias from Silva Dias Legal in Lisbon, to answer a few of the most common questions the Chamber has been receiving since Brexit became a reality on 31st January 2020.
Brexit is approaching.
by Namrata Majithia 12th June 2019
Bernardo da Mata of EcoNews in an interview with Chamber member and Vice President of Gemcorp, Maria Monteiro,
by Namrata Majithia 10th June 2019
Lisbon is a market in transition. Gone are the days where you can double your investment within two years, regardless of location. But does that mean it’s impossible to find value? No. Buyers just have to be clearer on their objectives from the outset and developers are recognising this shift.
Europe is still struggling to find a label for the new brand of socialism that has lifted Portugal’s fortunes over the past three and a half years. In the Portuguese media, the term geringonça, meaning “an odd contraption”, has stuck. Peter Mandelson, the British Labour peer, has suggested “the fourth way”. António Costa, the prime minister who gained office by forging a surprising partnership between the moderate and hard left, simply calls it “turning the page on austerity”.
by Namrata Majithia 7th March 2019
by Namrata Majithia 5th March 2019
This article shows you how important it is to reflect on the communication and languages used with clients.
Official information that British people moving to and living in Portugal need to know, including EU Exit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.