Latest news and stories about economic activity in work in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Canadian IT consultancy CGI announced the opening of its first Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Portugal. The new facility will focus on generative AI and agent-based technologies, with the company planning to hire 100 people annually to support digital transformation projects.
Swedish manufacturer Saab is exploring the possibility of assembling components for its Gripen E/F fighter jets in Portugal as part of its bid to replace the Portuguese Air Force's aging F-16 fleet. The company already collaborates with Portuguese firms like Critical Software and OGMA on technology and maintenance. Saab officials argue that this partnership would strengthen Portugal's digital sovereignty and industrial capabilities.
OGMA (Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal) is a major aerospace company based in Alverca that specializes in the maintenance, repair, and manufacturing of aircraft components. It is a joint venture between the Brazilian company Embraer and the Portuguese state, and it serves as a key facility for international defense contracts, including potential assembly work for fighter jets.
The sale of the Tupperware factory in Montalvo, Santarém, remains ongoing after initial purchase offers failed to meet the required 10 million euro minimum. The insolvency administrator, Jorge Calvete, confirmed that the sales process will proceed despite the lack of successful bids. The factory's future remains uncertain as the search for a buyer continues.
President António José Seguro has enacted legislation ensuring 100% salary payment for workers under the simplified lay-off scheme (regime de lay-off simplificado). This support measure was created in response to recent storm damage, though it faced opposition from the PSD, IL, and CDS-PP during the parliamentary vote. The new rules aim to protect employee income during periods of temporary business suspension.
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
Bankinter has announced a five-year plan to become one of the six largest banks in Portugal by overtaking competitors like Banco Montepio. The bank's head in Portugal, Alberto Ramos, stated the strategy focuses on growing corporate lending and expanding digital services. The branch, which entered the market ten years ago, currently reports higher efficiency levels than its Spanish parent company.
Alberto Ramos is the Country Manager of Bankinter Portugal, leading the bank's operations since it entered the Portuguese market in 2016. He oversees the branch's strategy to grow its market share in corporate and retail banking, aiming to compete with major domestic banks like Crédito Agrícola and Banco Montepio.
Negotiations between the government, the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT), and employers' associations have ended without an agreement on a new labour package. Despite 52 meetings, parties remain divided on key issues, though some participants suggest there is still room for a deal. The reforms are intended to update employment laws and working conditions across the country. Workers should note that current labour regulations remain in place while discussions continue.
Update: UGT awaits final government proposal before April decision
The UGT is waiting for a final written proposal from the government before its leadership meets on April 9 to decide on the labour package. While the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) was excluded from the latest meeting, employers' associations have signaled support for long-term salary increases. Negotiators are aiming for a consensus on the Labour Code (Código do Trabalho) shortly after Easter.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
CGTP (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional) regularly publishes studies and proposals on labor market conditions, wages, working time, and employment rights. These reports are used to support the union confederation's negotiating positions with the government and employers.
CGTP studies typically cover topics such as minimum wage adequacy, working hours reform, collective bargaining trends, social security sustainability, and the impact of proposed labor law changes on workers. The confederation uses this research to advocate for positions in tripartite social dialogue (Concertação Social) alongside the UGT union confederation and employer groups.
These publications are significant because they often shape public debate ahead of labor reforms and can influence the pace and direction of legislative changes.
The government and social partners reported progress in negotiations over a new labour package, though a final agreement has not yet been reached. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) noted increased flexibility, while the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) protested after being excluded from the meeting. Employers are pushing for measures to increase productivity, while the government warns that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” Workers and business owners should monitor these negotiations for changes to overtime pay and contract rules.
CIP is the Confederation of Portuguese Business (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal), the main employers’ association that represents companies and sector groups in Portugal. It lobbies government on economic and labour policy and its statements are watched by investors, employers and workers when debates arise over funding rules and labour reforms.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
CGTP (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional) regularly publishes studies and proposals on labor market conditions, wages, working time, and employment rights. These reports are used to support the union confederation's negotiating positions with the government and employers.
CGTP studies typically cover topics such as minimum wage adequacy, working hours reform, collective bargaining trends, social security sustainability, and the impact of proposed labor law changes on workers. The confederation uses this research to advocate for positions in tripartite social dialogue (Concertação Social) alongside the UGT union confederation and employer groups.
These publications are significant because they often shape public debate ahead of labor reforms and can influence the pace and direction of legislative changes.
The Institute for Employment and Professional Training (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional or IEFP) approved 390 applications for an extraordinary fund to maintain jobs and support self‑employed workers hit by storm Kristin, allocating just over €11 million. The measure complements parliamentary emergency support for storm‑affected workers and aims to preserve payrolls in damaged businesses. Employers and affected workers should consult IEFP guidance on eligibility and payments.
The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) runs employment centres, job-placement services and vocational training in Portugal and publishes official unemployment data. IEFP reported a 10.8% drop in registered unemployed in December year‑on‑year and near‑stable figures from November, so job-seeking residents (including expats) should register with IEFP to access unemployment benefits, training and hiring programmes.
Correio da Manhã and Observador report a 11.1% drop in the number of people registered as unemployed at job centres in January. The fall may reflect seasonal hiring or statistical factors rather than a structural shift; jobseekers and employers should check local employment centres (centros de emprego) for vacancies and guidance.
A study published for Equality Week by the Commission for Equality between Women and Men of the CGTP finds 41% of working women in Portugal do shift, night or weekend work and warns working hours are highly deregulated. The study frames long and irregular hours as a gendered labour issue with implications for work–life balance and equality measures. Workers, employers and those negotiating contracts should note the prevalence of atypical hours in female employment sectors.
CGTP (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional) regularly publishes studies and proposals on labor market conditions, wages, working time, and employment rights. These reports are used to support the union confederation's negotiating positions with the government and employers.
CGTP studies typically cover topics such as minimum wage adequacy, working hours reform, collective bargaining trends, social security sustainability, and the impact of proposed labor law changes on workers. The confederation uses this research to advocate for positions in tripartite social dialogue (Concertação Social) alongside the UGT union confederation and employer groups.
These publications are significant because they often shape public debate ahead of labor reforms and can influence the pace and direction of legislative changes.
The Commission for Equality between Women and Men (Comissão para a Igualdade entre Mulheres e Homens) is a public body that monitors gender equality, investigates discrimination and advises government and institutions in Portugal. It produces studies and campaigns (for example around Equality Week and International Women’s Day) that influence workplace rules and inform workers and employers about issues like long or deregulated working hours.
A banked hours scheme (banco de horas) is a flexible working time arrangement under Portuguese labor law that allows employees to accumulate overtime hours and use them later as time off, rather than receiving immediate overtime pay.
Under the Portuguese Labour Code, banked hours can be established through collective agreements or, in some cases, individual agreements. The scheme allows employers to vary working hours based on demand — requiring longer hours during peak periods and compensating with shorter hours or days off later.
Banked hours schemes are a frequent topic in labor reform negotiations, with unions (particularly CGTP) pushing for tighter limits and greater worker protections, while employers argue for more flexibility. Proposed reforms have included extending eligibility to parents of young children and adjusting the cap on banked hours.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP – Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses) is Portugal’s largest trade-union confederation, grouping most unions in manufacturing, public services and many other sectors.
Founded clandestinely in 1970 as “Intersindical” under the dictatorship, it emerged publicly after the 1974 Carnation Revolution and was legalised in 1975. It has been central to virtually all major labour struggles since then, from defending collective bargaining and the 40‑hour week to leading general strikes against austerity and labour‑law rollbacks.
CGTP is historically close to the Portuguese Communist Party and has a class‑struggle, anti‑neoliberal profile, strongly critical of EU and government policies seen as undermining workers’ rights. It favours grassroots mobilisation and strikes over compromise, often refusing national social‑pact deals that the more centrist UGT is willing to sign.
In today’s Portugal, CGTP remains a key actor in wage bargaining, labour‑law debates and national protests; together with UGT it called the first joint general strike in years in December 2025, signalling its continuing capacity to organise mass action.
The government has received 1,922 requests from companies seeking support to maintain jobs after recent bad weather, the labour minister said, according to RTP. The applications are from firms in affected areas asking for emergency measures to avoid layoffs. Employers and workers in impacted sectors should monitor ministry announcements about eligibility and processing of support requests.
