Location – Portugal’s geographic location is great. It is the closest European country to the Americas, and its large port in Lisbon is one of the most important in Europe. Portugal also has special relationships with the Portuguese-speaking colonies it previously occupied in Africa.
Weather – Portugal boasts 300 sunny days a year and comfortable temperatures year round, making it a great place to live.
Safety – Portugal has among the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Tourism growth - Lisbon has been selected as the best tourist destination in Europe, both as a cruise destination and as a tourist city in general. It is also one of the top 10 cities in the world for corporate events, and is considered one of the must-see destinations in Europe.
Due to the growing number of visitors, there is an increase in real estate investment in Portugal for both short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, and long-term rentals in the city centres. Investment in Portugal is one of the emerging real estate trends in Europe.
Real estate opportunities - Portugal is one of the most dynamic property markets in Europe. Following a growing demand and thriving economy, housing prices in Portugal have been steadily climbing since 2014.
Despite significant growth, real estate investment in Portugal remains attractive to foreign investors. The cost of real estate is currently still around 30 percent lower, on average, than any other Western European country.
The combination of expectations that housing prices will continue to rise and the current weakness of the Euro makes this an ideal time to invest in real estate in Portugal.
Foreign investors do not have any asset ownership restrictions, and transaction costs are relatively low. The Portuguese property market includes a wide range of competitively priced properties, ranging from stylish modern lofts to upscale country houses.
Business opportunities – The Portuguese market has earned a reputation for technological innovation, and it serves as an incubator for many international companies. It is now much easier to do business in Portugal, and the EU has recognised it as one of the countries that has taken the greatest steps to reduce bureaucracy. In Portugal, you can open a company in under an hour. Portugal is the seventh country in the OECD in terms of the lowest costs and tax levels.
Modern infrastructure – Portugal is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of network and road infrastructure, reflecting the country’s focus on modernisation over the last decade. Lisbon Airport is fifteen minutes from the city centre, with a modern metro system, hotels and new convention centres. There are new world-class research centres that have helped Portugal become fourth in the OECD in terms of the number of researchers in the fields of science and engineering.
Innovation and technology – Lisbon is the first city in Europe to set up a network of electric car charging stations. Lisbon has the best network of fibre optics in Europe, and Portugal has been a pioneer in banking and communications services. Nearly 60% of Portugal’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources.
Multilingual population - 42% speak two languages (mainly English), and 23% speak at least three languages. Improved education means that there has never been a better-prepared young generation entering the job market.