Latest news and stories about economic activity in technology in Portugal for expats and residents.
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 Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, followed by increasing geopolitical instability in the Middle East and other regions, served as a defibrillator for the defence industry.
Beyond Vision, a Portuguese drone manufacturer, is expanding internationally with a focus on both civil and defence sectors. CEO Dário Pedro discusses the company's growth, its entry into the US market, and the challenges posed by strict regulations in Portugal, particularly regarding the use of drones for emergency response and civil operations.
The technology promises a revolution in the sector in Portugal.
During the Microsoft Building the Future 2026 event in Lisbon, Microsoft's Southern Europe General Manager, Kristina Tikhonova, highlighted Portugal's rapid adoption of AI. With an ecosystem generating 7.3 billion euros for the national economy—expected to rise to 9 billion with the Sines investment—Portugal is currently a 'fast follower,' with an AI adoption rate of 24.2%, well above the global average of 16%. Tikhonova discussed the importance of cultural shifts in leadership, the role of 'Frontier Firms' in achieving high ROI, and the necessity of data consistency and cybersecurity training to sustain this growth.
The Navigator Company, a European leader in bleached eucalyptus pulp production, is diversifying its business strategy. The Portuguese group is focusing on tissue paper and sustainable single-use packaging, including compostable coffee capsules made from eucalyptus fiber at its Cacia plant. With significant investments in new machinery and research through its Raiz institute, the company aims to replace plastics with biodegradable solutions while expanding its presence in international markets, including the UK.
Spotlite, a Portuguese technology company that monitors critical infrastructure for electricity, road, and rail network operators using satellite data and artificial intelligence (AI), will monitor more than five thousand bridges in Brazil as part of a consortium that won an eight-million-euro contract with the Brazilian government. The solution...
Portuguese tech company Spotlite has announced its participation in a consortium that won an eight-million contract with Brazil's DNIT to monitor 5,300 bridges nationwide via satellite. The project uses satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to detect structural deformations and ground movement, allowing for predictive maintenance. Founded in Coimbra, Spotlite recently secured 3.5 million euros in seed funding to support its international expansion into Europe, the US, and South America.
In addition to Sines, Abrantes will also host an artificial intelligence gigafactory, which will serve as a redundancy. Muddy Waters, which began a wave of short positions in Mota-Engil's capital in 2024, has filed a defamation lawsuit in a Texas federal court against the CEO of the Portuguese construction company, Carlos Mota dos Santos. Get to know the news...
Portugal and Spain have submitted a joint bid for a European artificial intelligence gigafactory valued at €8 billion.
The EIB will invest over one billion in the 'exclusively Portuguese' PRR. This is the main highlight of Dinheiro Vivo this Friday, March 13th. Download the full supplement at the link below. Other highlights: Kristina Tikhonova, General Manager of Microsoft for Southern Europe: 'Portugal is punching above its weight' in Artificial Intelligence; Dário Pedro, CEO of Beyond Vision: 'Drone technology has brutal potential for the national and European economy'; Mercadona: the Spaniards who swapped 'jamón' for cod reach 81 stores this year; Housing: In Portugal, 'families who were looking for 3-bedroom apartments are now living in 2-bedroom ones'; Report: Navigator heads towards the future with a focus on tissue paper and coffee capsules. Download the full Diário de Notícias for this Friday at the link below; Download the full DN Sport supplement at the link below.
AI leads investors to increase their bets on Portuguese companies. Feedzai, Smartex, and Sword had the largest investment rounds in 2025.
The economic value generated in the Portuguese economy by the Microsoft ecosystem reached 7.3 billion euros last year, equivalent to 2.5% of the GDP, the tech company announced this Thursday. According to the study, this figure is projected to rise to 9 billion euros once the Sines operation reaches full capacity. The ecosystem has generated approximately 35,000 direct and indirect jobs, with an expected increase of 8,300 roles driven by AI investments. Microsoft Portugal's General Manager, Andrés Ortolá, highlighted the rapid global adoption of generative AI, while EY's Rui Faustino noted that for every euro invested in Microsoft solutions, companies can expect 9.6 euros in productivity gains over time.
The Portugal NewsRoom highlights recent developments showcasing Portugal's economic growth and innovation. Notable stories include the launch of a digital rail software lab by Stadler and Critical Software, Portugal's leadership in female representation in STEM across regions, and a positive EU trade surplus in Q4 2025. Portuguese companies like Tintex are expanding circular knit offerings, and FinTrU in Porto has been ranked fifth in Europe for impact by the Financial Times. Additionally, Portuguese footwear is gaining international recognition at fashion weeks, and the University of Porto has launched a €3 million EU-backed project. The platform emphasizes Portugal's advancements in technology, sustainability, and global market presence.
The economic value generated in the Portuguese economy associated with the Microsoft ecosystem was 7.3 billion euros last year, which is equivalent to 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the tech company announced today.
Artificial intelligence is transforming factories, increasing productivity, and creating new roles. But is the Portuguese industry ready to take this leap?
Tourism is a vital part of the Portuguese economy, but it must adapt to new challenges such as increasing value, diversifying markets, and managing visitor flows effectively. Lídia Monteiro from Turismo de Portugal emphasizes the need for strategic growth in a competitive global landscape.
Portugal aspires to be a leader in innovation and technology, focusing on integrating AI in education and attracting foreign investment. However, the reality of its public services is starkly contrasting, with inefficiencies so severe that even basic tasks like paying taxes require prior appointments, highlighting a systemic failure that undermines its ambitions.
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.
This article provides an analytical comparison of the digital landscapes in Spain and Portugal, emphasizing that Portugal offers a more favorable environment for digital growth and investment.
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.
Guimarães has been chosen as the site for the presentation of Portugal’s national space strategy, a symbolic starting point for mayor Ricardo Araújo’s plan to turn the municipality — home to the Guimarães Space Hub — into an Iberian leader in the aerospace sector. Local authorities are pursuing rehabilitation of facilities, investment and economic activation to attract industry, create jobs and build a skills pipeline. Realising that ambition will require sustained funding, coordination with national and international partners, and targeted policies to translate strategy into industrial growth rather than a one‑off showcase.
The article analyses a surge in national defence innovation driven by a €5.8 billion SAFE loan—the largest single investment in the Armed Forces—positioning defence as a strategic area for both European and national investors. Key growth areas include drones, satellites and aircraft, with emphasis on R&D, dual‑use technologies and strengthened aerospace supply chains that can create jobs and boost exports. The piece examines how procurement reform, public‑private partnerships and targeted skills development are needed to translate investment into sustained industrial capacity and economic impact. It concludes that coherent policy and sustained funding will be essential to maximise technological and economic returns.
After Portugal’s Tekever became a unicorn, 2026 looks set to remain a liquid year for investors despite geopolitical uncertainties that are reshaping financial markets. Venture capital will continue to favour AI startups, but a growing emphasis on dual‑use and defence‑adjacent technologies means investors will weigh strong commercial upside against ethical, regulatory and geopolitical risks. The year will therefore be defined by opportunities for tech and defence crossover, active deal‑making, and increased scrutiny from policymakers and funds alike.
