Business environment news in Portugal

Need to 'end the stigma' of profit and support for businesses unites leaders of major banks

The need to make Portugal more business-friendly was a key topic uniting the leaders of the seven largest banks in the country at the 'State of Banking' debate during the 2026 Money Conference. Millennium BCP CEO Miguel Maya urged for a broader awareness to support the business sector without placing the burden of social welfare on companies, which is the state's responsibility. Santander Portugal CEO Isabel Guerreiro warned against complacency, noting that profitability should not be stigmatized and that bureaucratic challenges must be addressed. Other banking executives, including representatives from Montepio and Crédito Agrícola, reiterated the banking sector's readiness to provide credit and support the economy, while noting that investment depends on business owners and a stable, non-uncertain environment. Álvaro Santos Pereira suggested room for higher interest rates for depositors, and the Promotional Bank expects an impact exceeding 10 billion euros by 2027.

Portugal lags behind Spain and Germany in controlling technology costs

Portugal ranks behind Spain and Germany regarding the management and control of technology-related expenditures.

Jornal Económico21 Sept

Betting on companies

Companies are increasingly the engine of change in Portugal. There is a need for businesses capable of projecting a dynamic of constant value creation and a focus on creativity. In a time of change, where only those who can anticipate market expectations and manage through networks survive, companies must act as disruptors, driving innovation and high standards. AI plays a central role in this, acting as a strategic driver of modernity. By leveraging the 'three Ts'—Talent, Technology, and Tolerance—and focusing on ICT, companies must become global actors that transform knowledge into wealth, ultimately defining Portugal's success in the global market.

Seguro wants a new way of looking at territories and larger companies

The President of the Republic noted that Portugal has 'more than 90% of its business fabric made up of small and medium-sized enterprises', many of which are family-owned.

Romão Braz: “I think it is very difficult to be an entrepreneur in Portugal”

Romão Braz discusses the challenges faced by business owners in the Portuguese market.

Portuguese companies among those with the longest payment delays

A report indicates that businesses in Portugal are ranking high among those that take the longest to settle their financial obligations.

dnoticias.pt15 Jul

In Portugal, innovation remains a test of endurance

The process of innovating in Portugal continues to be a challenging and lengthy endeavour.

Jornal de Notícias10 Jul

The myth of management theorists and practitioners

Business reality does not, by definition, constitute a model of excellence. Companies produce wealth and innovation, but they also produce poor management practices.

A new headache for employers

Companies are struggling with high administrative costs and bureaucracy from both the Portuguese public administration and EU regulations. The new Pay Transparency Directive, while well-intentioned in aiming to ensure equal pay for equal work, threatens to increase the administrative burden on small and micro-enterprises. With stricter compliance requirements and a shift in the burden of proof onto employers, there is a significant risk of increased litigation and operational complexity. It is recommended that a thorough impact study be conducted and that social partners and relevant government ministries be involved to ensure the directive is implemented in a proportionate and simplified manner.

Portugal surges in connectivity but lags in business digitalisation

Portugal has seen a significant increase in connectivity metrics, yet the country remains behind in the digital transformation of its corporate sector.

Tek Notícias25 Jun

There is a distrust of large companies. Anyone who has one that is slightly above average is considered a crook in Portugal

Portuguese companies need scale to compete in Europe and globally, but there are still obstacles regarding the size of the national business fabric. During the DN Grand Conference, business leaders including Salvador Mello, Marco Galinha, and Jorge Rebelo de Almeida argued that high taxes, bureaucracy, and a cultural bias against success hinder growth. They warned that large companies are essential for the survival of smaller ones and that current incentives for SMEs often discourage them from growing to avoid losing support.

High-speed rail project in Gaia must avoid “expropriation of companies”

The Association of Companies of the São Caetano Industrial Zone praised the decision to restore the high-speed station in Santo Ovídio, but warns that the problems affecting the business area “are far from being resolved”. In a statement released regarding the public consultation of the Environmental Compliance Report for the Execution Project...

Portugal knows well why it is poor. The problem is something else

An analysis suggesting that the reasons for Portugal's economic situation are well understood, but that the core issue lies elsewhere.

Labour law reform largely ignored by Portuguese startups: growth, talent and AI are the priorities

At the SIM Conference in Porto, around 400 companies and 200 investors exchanged experiences and sought to build bridges for potential new business. Expresso surveyed the startups present on their thoughts regarding the labour law reform. Although some acknowledge it could mean easier hiring, the topic is far from being a central concern.

What remains to be said about entrepreneurship in Portugal

An analysis of the missing perspectives and challenges regarding the entrepreneurial landscape in Portugal.

SAPO4 May

Minister of the Presidency says the State must 'get out of the way' of companies

António Leitão Amaro maintained that the State has 'another vocation, that of providing infrastructure, creating conditions, stability, security, and assistance'.

60% of companies in Portugal pay suppliers late

A report indicates that the majority of Portuguese businesses are failing to meet payment deadlines for their suppliers.

SAPO23 Apr

Late receipts lead 60% of Portuguese companies to delay payments

Payment delays are causing a domino effect in supply chains, with 62% of European companies paying suppliers late due to late receipts, a situation that affects 60% in Portugal, according to Intrum. According to the 29th edition of the European Payment Report released this Thursday by Intrum, about...

Watch the opening session here

The Portuguese economy is mostly composed of small and micro-enterprises, and António Brochado Correia, the president of the consultancy firm PwC and host of the debate, shared that he asked an artificial intelligence engine about it, and the result was that “more than 99% of companies in Portugal are SMEs.”

Innovation in Portugal hits a wall with bureaucracy - ECO

The article discusses how bureaucratic obstacles are hindering innovation efforts within Portugal.

Portugal as a Platform, Not a Destination - The Portugal News

This is the time for ROCs

The economy has reminded us of something that, for too long, was treated as secondary: trust is not a technical detail of corporate life, it is a condition for survival. In an unstable environment, it is no longer enough to sell well, produce well, or have a market presence. Obviously, that remains decisive, but...

Complicating what was meant to be simplified

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has once again put the insurance sector under pressure with the publication of Exposure Draft ED/2025/1, introducing the concept of Risk Mitigation Accounting (RMA), with amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7, and discontinuing IAS 39. The underlying promise is, at first glance, difficult to dispute, as it aims to bring reporting closer...

Banking in Portugal continues to fail in financing productive sectors

In Portugal, the banking system continues to fail in channeling financial resources to productive sectors and, above all, to innovative projects. This diagnosis is part of the latest BusinessEurope barometer, which provides an annual assessment of European competitiveness based on feedback from members of BusinessEurope, the largest European business confederation, of which the...

Why does Portugal insist on doing more, instead of doing better?

The article explores Portugal's business landscape, noting the high number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the high failure rate of new businesses. It argues that the country suffers from a culture of small-mindedness and envy, which discourages ambition and consolidation. The author suggests that instead of creating numerous small, struggling companies, Portugal should focus on scaling up, fostering partnerships, and overcoming a societal bias against success and large corporations.