Latest news and stories about economic activity in europe in Portugal for expats and residents.
Senate President Davi Alcolumbre highlighted the rapid processing of the agreement in Congress and stated that it is expected to provisionally enter into force in May, provided the European schedule is not delayed.
Committee vote scheduled following major lobbying effort by U.S. officials and diplomats.
The article does not specifically mention Portugal. Instead, it discusses Europe's recent gas supply disruptions caused by the shutdown of Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex following Iranian drone strikes, which has led to increased European reliance on alternative sources, including African LNG projects. Europe's shift away from Russian pipeline gas toward LNG imports—primarily from the U.S., Norway, and North Africa—has made African LNG resources more strategically important. The disruption has heightened Europe's urgency to diversify supply, with African LNG emerging as a key potential stabilizer amid global supply tightness and rising prices.
Prime Minister Costa confirms that the European Commission will provide support to all 27 member states.
Why Europe’s economic future depends on health innovation.
This edition of Contraponto examines the ongoing negotiations surrounding the government's labour package and analyzes the impact of the Middle East conflict on European energy prices.
The European Commission will propose the creation of a corporate legal framework at the European Union (EU) level that will allow companies to register online within 48 hours, without the requirement of minimum share capital. The proposal for the 28th regime – EU Inc. – establishes a true corporate legal framework at the EU level, making it significantly more...
The President of the European Commission admitted today that prolonged restrictions on oil and gas supplies from the Middle East to the European Union (EU) could have a “significant impact on the European economy,” although she ruled out supply shortages.
The President of the European Commission admitted today that prolonged restrictions on oil and gas supplies from the Middle East to the European Union (EU) could have a “significant impact on the European economy,” although she ruled out supply shortages.
President of the European Commission warns that, “if the conflict continues, the consequences may increase and the European response will have to be proportional to the severity of the threats.”
The Omnibus Directive, published on 26 February 2026, significantly altered European rules on sustainability and due diligence. The official narrative is one of simplification: focusing obligations on large companies and easing the burden on others. However, simplifying the law is not the same as simplifying reality, and this apparent deregulation cannot...
Energy is emerging as the second largest barrier to investment in the European Union, according to a survey of companies across the continent. High price levels and their volatility are the main complaints. Energy prices in the EU remain substantially higher than in the US and China.
Economist Luís Aguiar-Conraria analyzes the potential economic fallout of the Middle East conflict, emphasizing that global recession risks depend heavily on policy responses and the stability of oil transport routes.
![If there is an impediment to oil transport [in the strait], it is almost as if 20% of global reserves disappeared](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.iol.pt%2Fimage%2Fid%2F69b73b3ed34edcee7c61e93d%2F200.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group increased its lending to Portugal by 43% in 2025, reaching three billion euros. EIB President Nadia Calviño and Finance Minister (Ministro das Finanças) Joaquim Miranda Sarmento announced that 1.5 billion euros is specifically earmarked for social and affordable housing. Other major investments include nearly one billion euros for the high-speed rail project between Porto and Lisbon. Those seeking affordable housing should note that these funds aim to increase supply across the country quickly.
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is Portugal’s Finance Minister who gave a hearing before the Budget, Finance and Public Administration Committee about fiscal measures affecting housing. His remarks matter to expats because finance ministry decisions — like exemptions and public guarantees for young homebuyers — influence the property market, taxes and programmes that can affect housing affordability.
The European Investment Bank (Banco Europeu de Investimento or BEI) is the lending arm of the European Union, owned by its member states. It provided €1.9 billion in financing to Portugal in 2023, focusing on sustainable transport and energy projects. Residents interested in Portugal's economic development should note its role in funding large-scale public and private infrastructure.
Nadia Calviño is the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), a role she assumed in January 2024. Before leading the EIB, she was Spain's First Vice President and Minister for Economy and Digital Transformation. Those following European economic policy should note her influence on how the EU funds climate and infrastructure projects in the euro area.
The president of CIP, Armindo Monteiro, asserts that while policies are beginning to shift away from the traditional 'hand-out model' of European funding, the presence of unions complicates the implementation of these changes. He criticizes unions for focusing primarily on reducing working hours and increasing holidays, which he believes hinders the potential for economic growth and improvement in living standards in Portugal.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has proposed discussions on establishing a disaster fund in Portugal to address damages from increasing natural disasters, such as recent floods. During a visit to the flooded area of Alcácer do Sal, he highlighted the need for financial relief for businesses affected by such calamities, especially those without insurance. He noted that similar funds exist in the European Union and emphasized the opportunity presented by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) to support this initiative.
The piece argues that Europe must produce clear, coordinated leadership to carve an autonomous path between China and the United States. It calls for an urgent common strategy centred on economic levers — investment, industrial policy, trade and activation of EU instruments — combined with political unity to protect strategic autonomy and ensure Europe remains a meaningful global actor. Without decisive economic-focused leadership, Europe risks strategic irrelevance.
The EU–India trade agreement creates a “rare opportunity” to expand Portuguese agri‑food exports, with olive oil singled out as the main beneficiary. The Federation of Portuguese Agri‑food Industries said there are “absolutely favourable conditions for olive oil exports” and described the pact as an unprecedented chance for the sector. To convert the opportunity into sustained growth, industry representatives stress the need for investment in production capacity, market development and compliance with buyer standards, while monitoring regulatory and logistical challenges that could affect competitiveness.
European heads of state and government met in Brussels at the request of the President of the European Council to coordinate a response to US President Donald Trump’s new tariff threats targeting eight countries, six of them EU members. The late‑afternoon summit focused on assessing the economic and trade implications, debating unified policy options — from diplomatic engagement and legal challenges at the WTO to reciprocal measures — and preserving EU cohesion while managing transatlantic ties.
The Draghi Report's ambitions force Europe to confront uncomfortable realities: it is falling significantly behind global competitors. The analysis argues that the ‘race’ has been underway for years and that closing the gap requires urgent, active policy choices — including structural reforms, targeted investment and a renewed focus on competitiveness across the single market.
EU lawmakers say a proposed EU–US trade pact—intended to shield European exporters from heavy duties—is effectively on hold after the US announced tariffs on eight European countries in response to their opposition to Washington’s actions regarding Greenland. EU ambassadors have been summoned to an extraordinary meeting to discuss the diplomatic fallout and next steps, underscoring how escalating US threats risk derailing broader trade cooperation and raising the prospect of a wider economic and political rift.
Portugal faces a mixed outcome from the EU–Mercosur trade agreement. Export-oriented sectors such as wine, olive oil and cheese see expanded market access to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as growth opportunities, while domestic meat and rice producers fear increased competition, downward price pressure and quota-driven market disruption. The deal thus creates winners and losers within Portugal’s agricultural and food industries, highlighting the need for safeguards, support measures and sectoral adaptation strategies.
Update: The trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is due to be signed this Saturday. The impending signature has intensified debate in Portugal: wine, olive oil and cheese sectors are positioning to capture growth in the four South American markets, while meat and rice producers renew warnings about heightened competition, downward price pressure and quota effects. Stakeholders are pressing for concrete safeguards, transitional support and clear implementation timetables to mitigate adjustment costs and protect sensitive domestic producers.
The European Commission confirmed that President Ursula von der Leyen will sign the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement on Saturday 17 January, after the EU approved advancement of the deal despite objections from France, Hungary and Poland. Supporters argue the pact will boost exports and deepen ties with South America, while farmers and some domestic political actors warn of negative impacts on agriculture and standards. The move has been framed by some commentators as a rare act of multilateral diplomacy amid broader geopolitical tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to New Delhi at the end of January for the EU–India summit with the explicit aim of finalising a long‑sought EU–India trade agreement. Having concluded the Mercosur talks, von der Leyen says the Commission is working intensively to wrap up negotiations, a move with significant economic and geopolitical implications for EU trade policy and relations with India.
Julien Jarjoura, an investor based in Switzerland, has acquired Claire’s European business, preserving roughly 200 jobs in Portugal and maintaining the brand’s retail footprint across Europe. The purchase effectively separates the continental operation from insolvency proceedings affecting Claire’s in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, stabilising local employment and stores while broader group restructuring and creditor processes continue.
