Latest news and stories about economic activity in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Key events for Tuesday include a meeting on labour reform between Montenegro and Ventura, critical interest rate decisions from the Bank of Japan and the Fed, Eurostat labour data, the Portugal Capital Markets Day 2026, and updates on the insolvency of Sicasal.
Bankinter Portugal celebrates its tenth anniversary with a strategic goal to enter the top six banking institutions in the country by 2030, focusing on corporate lending, digital expansion, and market share growth.
European stock markets and the euro are experiencing declines as oil prices surge due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Iran. US oil prices rose by 8% to $72.40 per barrel, while Brent crude increased by 8.8% to $79.30 per barrel. Natural gas futures in Europe saw a significant rise of over 40% following a production halt by Qatar. Gold prices also increased by 1.2% as investors sought safer assets amid uncertainty. Wall Street opened lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.70%, the Nasdaq down 0.58%, and the S&P 500 down 1.09%. In Europe, while the Lisbon stock exchange remained relatively stable, major markets like Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, and London faced notable declines. The euro fell to $1.1703, down from $1.1817, and also weakened against the pound and yen.
Portugal is seeking to enhance its appeal to Middle Eastern investors, particularly from Qatar, by shifting its marketing strategy beyond just its favorable climate. In Doha, representatives from Startup Portugal are engaging with local entrepreneurs to promote investment opportunities in the country.
Moedas has secured an absolute majority with former Chega members, raising questions about the implications for Lisbon's political landscape and whether this shift marks the end of certain political red lines.
easyJet views the planned privatisation of TAP as a strategic opening to expand its presence in Lisbon and across Portugal. With the airline operating 96 routes to and from Portuguese airports in 2025, easyJet could deepen low-cost connectivity, increase frequencies on key city-pairs and compete more directly with a newly structured national carrier. The shift promises greater competition, potential downward pressure on fares and improved network connectivity, but also raises questions about airport slot availability, regulatory oversight and how market dynamics will affect legacy and low-cost carriers alike.
The Minister for State Reform warned of a paradigm shift in competition between economies: efficient governments and regulatory predictability are now decisive.
Faisal Bin Farham Al Saud, who was received in Lisbon this Tuesday, “expressly requested” attention to the construction sector, “knowing the quality of Portuguese companies,” said Paulo Rangel.
More than 80% of Sicasal's creditors voted today in favour of the insolvency plan, which provides for the sale of the company to Portral for 11.5 million euros and a 76.2% 'haircut' on the debt of ordinary creditors.
Central de Cervejas e Bebidas, the owner of Sagres, has inaugurated an energy recovery system in Vialonga, in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, based on a heat pump that is expected to reduce CO2 emissions associated with thermal energy by approximately 50%, in an investment of 33.5 million euros. The technological solution...
AICEP and Fórum Oceano are formalising a joint protocol this Tuesday, the 16th, aimed at boosting the internationalisation of the Portuguese blue economy, supporting the expansion of sector companies abroad, and attracting strategic investment to Portugal. The agreement is being signed during the Oeiras BlueTech Ocean Forum 2026, an event gathering entrepreneurs, investors, research centres, policymakers, and international experts to discuss innovation, investment, and sustainable development related to the ocean. According to AICEP, the partnership intends to strengthen the national capacity to attract capital, accelerate the internationalisation of innovative companies, and foster new high-value-added projects in maritime areas. Madalena Oliveira e Silva, president of AICEP, highlighted that the blue economy is one of the areas with the greatest growth potential for Portugal and that the protocol will strengthen the international promotion of Portuguese companies, as well as the country's standing as a global hub for ocean innovation. Planned initiatives include training programmes, outreach actions, and business networking activities, focusing on sectors such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and renewable energy. The protocol comes at a time when the blue economy is gaining weight in the country's economic strategy, both for its ability to generate qualified employment and technological innovation, and for the sustainable valorisation of marine resources. Bruno Esgalhado states that Portugal cannot miss the 'Blue Economy opportunity'.
Sicasal creditors are meeting at the Sintra court to vote on an insolvency plan that includes selling the meat company to Portral for 11.5 million euros. The plan involves a 76.2% reduction in debt for common creditors, who will receive only 23.8% of their claims. While employees, tax authorities, and social security are expected to be paid in full, the total sale proceeds will only cover a small portion of the 46.4 million euro debt owed to approximately 400 creditors. The operation aims to ensure business continuity and job retention, as the company faces an ongoing investigation into whether the insolvency was caused by the actions of its partners and administrators.
Sicasal creditors are meeting this Tuesday at the Sintra court to review and vote on the insolvency plan, which provides for the sale of the meat company to Portral for 11.5 million euros. The plan, presented to the Commercial Court of Sintra by insolvency administrator Jorge Calvete, includes...
Lisbon generated 260 million in tourist tax over ten years. With 30 million in European funds available for social innovation in tourism, the question is not whether there are resources, but whether there is the will to use them well.
At the Diário de Notícias annual conference, the President of the Republic warned that countries that do not integrate new technologies will remain as “mere consumers”.
The Minister of Finance reaffirmed this Monday the Government's intention to lower income tax (IRS) again, stating that a reduction in 2027 will only be decided after reviewing the performance of the economy and public accounts. During a conference in Lisbon, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento said that it is important to continue reducing...
Marco Galinha, founder and CEO of Grupo BEL and major shareholder of the Global Media Group, highlighted the role of the Diário de Notícias as a space for freedom and critical thinking during a time of geopolitical tension. Speaking at the Champalimaud Foundation, he emphasized the importance of pluralistic debate and diplomacy, noting that in a polarized world, the ability to listen is a rare and essential act. The conference, attended by government officials and international diplomats, focuses on themes such as the economy, innovation, and Portugal's future.
The 2026 edition of the Diário de Notícias Grand Conference takes place this Monday, June 15, at the Champalimaud Foundation auditorium in Lisbon. The event will cover major national and global topics, ranging from geopolitics and Artificial Intelligence to the future of healthcare and economic trends in Portugal. The programme features various speakers, including President António José Seguro, who will deliver the closing remarks. Government representatives and numerous political and economic figures are also confirmed to attend. The event will also see the inaugural presentation of the DN/BEL Awards. Coverage will be available on the newspaper's website and social media channels.
The President of the Tourism Confederation (CTP), Francisco Calheiros, warns that the situation regarding entries into Portugal through Lisbon Airport has improved, but is not resolved and the impact on the country's image has been very negative.
Portugal is set to spearhead international discussions aimed at shaping the future of the worldwide olive oil industry.
Europe's digital geography is undergoing a profound structural shift. Historically dependent on the FLAP axis (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris), global data traffic is rapidly migrating south. According to DE-CIX, the European interconnection infrastructure giant, Southern Europe has transitioned from a peripheral zone to the continent's primary digital gateway. The Iberian Peninsula, in particular, is being hailed as the world's first 'distributed digital capital,' a decentralized network model supported by a highly complementary infrastructure triangle between Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon. This ecosystem now features over 100 data centres and 35 submarine cable systems, with Lisbon serving as a strategic entry point for transatlantic connections, including the EllaLink cable that links South America directly to Portugal, bypassing the need for data routing through the United States.
The Lisbon-Setúbal Port announced today that it is preparing the tender for the sale of the public stake in Silotagus, the company that holds the concession for the food grain terminals in Trafaria and Beato.
Studies to be developed will analyse different scenarios for the evolution of the business, market conditions, regulatory framework, and mechanisms to protect the public interest.
The municipalities of Oeiras and Cascais have partnered with the AED Cluster Portugal to foster development and collaboration within the aeronautics, space, and defence sectors.
The president of the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), Luís Laginha de Sousa, warned this Tuesday about the limitations on the supervisor's capacity to use resources, which 'removes flexibility and operational efficiency'. During a parliamentary hearing, following a request submitted by the PS as a member of the Committee on...
The invoices listed household expenses, including petrol, electricity, gas, groceries, and transport, concluding that all of them exceeded the value of a salary.
Portugal is investing in a green maritime corridor to maintain its strategic importance in global shipping.
