Latest news and stories about economic activity in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Spanish private banking and corporate consulting specialist Banca March is set to launch operations in Portugal in early 2027 with a new business centre in Lisbon's Praça Duque de Saldanha. As part of its centenary strategy, the lender upgraded its Luxembourg branch to a subsidiary, which will serve as the hub for marketing European investment solutions and meeting rising demand for cross-border wealth management.
The Portuguese Farmers' Confederation (CAP) has issued an urgent demand for a 140 million euro government support package to address rising production costs and restore competitiveness, warning that failure to act will lead to inevitable protests.
An analytical critique of Portugal's political landscape, arguing that the nation's stagnation stems from political cowardice rather than a lack of understanding, while noting the increasing influence of Chega on the AD coalition.
Friday's agenda features the parliamentary vote on labour reform, the conclusion of the European Council, new Bank of Portugal debt data, and a high-level debate between Portugal and France on European economic competitiveness.
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 of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, stated today in Lisbon that the full implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan is a “conquest” for the country, but noted that “surgical work” is still required.
The National Association of Electronic Payment Institutions (ANIPE) warns that Portugal may face a scenario where the payments market is dominated by foreign entities, leading to a loss of employment opportunities and tax income within the country.
The Bank of Portugal (BdP) announced this Thursday that it has amended the promissory contract for the purchase of its new headquarters in Entrecampos, Lisbon, to acquire only one building instead of two.
The central bank consolidates its operations into a single location in the Entrecampos area, resulting in significant cost savings.
The initial promissory contract provided for the purchase of two separate buildings, connected by a tunnel (the so-called A3 and A2 buildings).
The Banco de Portugal signed an addendum to the purchase agreement with Fidelidade this week regarding the building that will serve as its new headquarters. It estimates a total investment of 225 million euros, which is approximately 35 million less than the initial project during Mário Centeno's tenure.
Banco de Portugal has signed an amendment with Fidelidade to the agreement made during the final weeks of Mário Centeno's tenure at the bank. Instead of purchasing two buildings (A2 and A3), it is now buying one building (A1) and an external auditorium.
The growing need for artificial intelligence infrastructure is positioning Portugal as a key location for data centres in Europe.
Today, Thursday, October 29th, the 7th Annual ECOseguros Conference 2027 takes place. It will bring together regulators, insurers, brokers, and service providers at the Belém Cultural Centre from 08:30 to discuss the main challenges in the insurance industry, ranging from distribution and savings management to cybersecurity, major risks, and more.
Since 17 October, merchants report fewer customers and are increasing security due to fears of vandalism. The ADBP is requesting measures that balance the right to protest with economic activity.
The chief executive officer of BCP clarified today that the bank does not have a branch closure plan in progress, advocating for a 'balanced relationship' between the physical and digital worlds.
Commemorative events marking five decades of the European Investment Bank Group's operations in Portugal.
In a deal like the privatisation of TAP, which involves the sale of a state stake, it is common for governments to throw their institutional weight behind national champions competing for the operation. The CEO of Lufthansa stated, in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine, that Friedrich Merz's intervention was very important for...
The Portuguese government intends to boost the national economy by increasing the strategic importance and efficiency of its maritime ports.
CTT is facing strong selling pressure on the Lisbon stock exchange after JBCapital anticipated a profit warning from the company. The group fell as much as 7% this Tuesday, the steepest drop since last March, to a low of 5.11 euros. Since December 2024, shares of...
Portugal offers 'economic, financial, political and social predictability' to investors, stated the Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira, at a meeting with international business leaders from the insurance sector organised by Verlingue Portugal last Tuesday in Lisbon. For the government official, this characteristic can be an advantage for attracting foreign investment.
HORA Creative World has separated from an international group to independently pursue its brand strategy and business scaling efforts. Founded in 1927 and formerly part of McCann Portugal, the agency retains its 52-person team and leadership, now operating with full autonomy to define its strategy and market expansion. CEO Luís Pereira Santos highlights that this independence allows for faster decision-making and international growth in markets such as Spain, Brazil, the US, and Vietnam. The agency, which recently reported a 9% revenue growth to €9 million, plans to invest in talent and artificial intelligence to enhance its service offerings in branding, digital, and content.
