The Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK was founded in 1979 in order to promote trade and business between the UK and Portugal. Now, as we absorb the twin impacts of Brexit and Covid-19, the Chamber’s role as a business communication channel between the two countries is becoming more and more important. For a quick visual overview of our work, please see here
The Chamber works to promote the interests of its members at all times. It does this by running a series of live and virtual events all year round, under four main themes: Moving to Portugal, Starting in the UK, the Investors’ Circle and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Portugal.
In 2016 the Chamber was involved in setting up the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Portugal. We are currently the Public Enquiry Point for the Group.
The purpose of the APPG is to increase awareness amongst members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords about the political situation in Portugal; and to encourage political, trade and business relations between the UK and Portugal. Post Brexit, the APPG plays a vital role in connecting leading Portuguese companies with British politicians and senior British business people who have an interest in Portugal.
Since 2016 the Chamber has organised an annual programme of events at the British Parliament. These have included Summer Receptions and private lunches inside the Houses of Parliament to enable senior members of the Chamber to meet members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords who have an interest in Portugal.
The UK is a very attractive market for Portuguese entrepreneurs and business people. There are currently around 357,000 Portuguese living in the UK, many running successful businesses or working at a high level in the financial and commercial worlds.
The Chamber’s Starting in the UK (SUK) programme advises Portuguese companies who wish to expand their existing operations into the UK market on how best they should proceed. Typically this will include advising them on market research, business development, lead generation and setting up a distributor or agency network.
Over the past five years, the Chamber has built up an invaluable network of contacts that can help Portuguese companies successfully expand their business into the UK. We know who are your potential distributors, sales agents, business development consultants, lead generation companies, and marketing and social media advisors. The UK is a highly competitive market to enter, but extremely lucrative for those who can make it work and commit the necessary resources to the task.
Over 34,000 British nationals are already officially living and working in Portugal, with thousands more companies and individuals planning their move there imminently due to Brexit and Covid-19.
Why? Because Portugal offers Europe’s best combination of an attractive tax regime for companies and individuals, an educated workforce and a great quality of life outside work, with space, sea, sunshine and fresh air.
Since 2018, our Moving to Portugal Shows and Seminars have been attended by over 6,000 visitors in the UK. As the realities of Brexit bite, and the appeal of a warmer and healthier climate becomes stronger and stronger, we anticipate interest in these events from British consumers will continue to grow.
The Chamber now runs a year-round media and press campaign on the Moving to Portugal theme, with its own dedicated website www.movingtoportugal.org.uk. Since early 2020 we have also run a series of virtual online conferences and webinars, alongside the programme of live events.
The Chamber has a long-standing relationship with the Portuguese Embassy in the UK,
the Turismo de Portugal – Portuguese Tourism Office in London,
and AICEP – Portugal Global in London
In the UK we are also closely affiliated with the Council of Foreign Chambers of Commerce,
the British Chambers of Commerce, the Department for International Trade, London & Partners and the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
In Portugal, we work with the British Embassy and the BPCC – British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and we are also a leading member of the RCCP – the official network of Portuguese Chambers of Commerce outside Portugal.
In accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulations, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK hereby confirms that all our communications are for business purposes only. We do not share any clients’ contact details without written authorization from the holder of such information. To consult our GDPR policy in detail, please email us at info@portuguese-chamber.org.uk