Portugal's capital for nearly 900 years, Lisbon keeps the past alive without being nostalgic. It is firmly committed to modernity and is prepared for the future

Lisbon’s strategy for economic promotion and attracting new investments is based on the following pillars:

Foster internationalisation and promote Lisbon´s economy competitive capacity at a regional and global scale;
Create, attract and retain talent, companies, investments and activities in strategic sectors;
Nurture innovation, creativity and the entrepreneurial attitude in Lisbon;
Transform Lisbon into an open space, explore new motivations, experiences and concepts;
Position Lisbon within the major production networks and global value chains;
Include Lisbon in the main international city projects and networks.

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Lisbon is a cosmopolitan city in a privileged strategic position, with a rich heritage and a temperate climate, where people feel safe and welcome. But if you are unsure about what the city can offer to investors, companies, entrepreneurs and students, check the facts and what others have to say of Lisboa and Portugal.

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LISBOA, EUROPEAN & ATLANTIC BUSINESS HUB

Lisbon is a strategic gateway to and from the European, American and African continents. 

Nearshore location in the same time zone as the UK
Portugal is a founding member of the EURO currency and a Member State of the Schengen area
Portuguese is the 4th most widely spoken language in the world (261 million speakers) and the 5th more used language over the Internet

(Source: Observatório da Língua Portuguesa, 2017)

Privileged access to:
500 Million European consumers
260 Million Portuguese-speaking consumers (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique…)
USA and Canada, to which Portugal is the nearest European country
Other markets in South American, Africa and Asia, with whom Portugal has excellent relations
Infrastructure and Transport Routes - #19 out of 140 countries (Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2018, World Economic Forum):
Quality of roads - #5
Quality of port infrastructure - #25 (ports in Lisbon, Setubal and Sines offer access to key shipping routes between the Panama and Suez canals; all mainland seaports are connected to the rail network onwards to Spain and Central Europe)
Quality of air transport infrastructure - #29 (daily direct flights from Lisbon International Airport to 110 major cities in the world – Source: ANA/VINCI Airports of Portugal, August 2017
Quality of railroad infrastructure - #31

International Trade
Trading across borders - #1 out of 190 countries (Source: Doing Business Report 2019, World Bank)
Prevalence of non-tariff barriers - #5 out of 140 countries (Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2018, WEF)

TALENT
Portugal puts a high value on Education. The result of this investment is a well-prepared, multilingual population, who embraces change and innovation. 

English Proficiency Index 2018 – #19 in 88 countries (Source: Education First)
The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 (Source: WEF, 140 countries):
Major universities - #1
Tertiary enrolment - #10
Ease of hiring foreign labour - #9
Quality of math and science education - #28
Quality of the education system - #32
IMD World Talent Ranking 2017 (Source: IMD World Competitiveness Center, 63 countries):
Public Expenditure on Education per Pupil (Secondary) - #4
Female Labour Force - #5
Management Education – #12
Language Skills – #14
University Education – #17
Skilled Labour - #20
Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2018 (Source: INSEAD, The Adecco Group, TATA Communications, 119 countries):
Use of virtual professional networks - #16
Reading, maths and science - #21
Gender earnings gap - #22
Researchers - #23
Vocational enrolment - #24
Professionals - #24
Availability of scientists and engineers - #34
Female graduates - #39 
IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2018 (Source: IMD World Competitiveness Center, 63 countries):
Pupil-teacher Ratio (tertiary education) – #11
Digital/Technological Skills - #11
Graduates in Sciences - #15
Female Researchers – #16
Higher Education - Students enrolled and graduates in the Greater Lisbon Area (Source: Pordata/DGEEC, 2017)
Higher Education 2018 EN 1

Financial Times (FT.com):
European Business School Rankings 2017 (95 schools)
Nova School of Business & Economics - #25
Catolica Lisbon School of Business and Economics - #26
Masters in Management 2018 (100 business schools):
Nova School of Business and Economics - #30
Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics - #30
Masters in Finance (pre-experience) 2018 (65 business schools):
Nova School of Business and Economics - #21
Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics - #23
ISCTE Business School - #27
Best Global Universities Rankings 2018 (Source: U.S. News & World Report LP - 1250 Universities)
University of Lisbon - #217 (Engineering - #56;  Computer Science - #150)
NOVA University of Lisbon - #427
QS World University Rankings 2019 (Source: QS/Crimson - 1000 universities):
University of Lisbon - #355
Nova University of Lisbon - #405
Shanghai Ranking 2018 (ARWU) (Source: ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, 1000 universities):
University of Lisbon - 151-200 (Computer Science & Engineering, ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018, 502 Universities - 151-200)
NOVA University of Lisbon - 501-600 (Computer Science & Engineering, ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018, 502 Universities - 301-400)
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 (Source: THE, 1250 universities)
University of Lisbon - #501-600
NOVA University of Lisbon - #501-600
Catholic University of Portugal - #601-800
ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon - #601-800
“Portugal is a tremendously viable location for software development because the country has creative and highly educated engineers, a history of embracing new technologies and can produce quality at a price that cannot be beaten anywhere in Europe”. (Source: Microsoft quoted by aicep)

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COMPETITIVENESS
The operating costs in Lisbon are some of the lowest in Europe, without compromising quality standards and level of service. 

FORBES Best Countries for Business 2018 – #24 out of 153 countries (Source: Forbes)
Doing Business Report 2019 - #34 out of 190 countries (Source: World Bank)
The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 (Source: WEF, 140 countries):
Time (days) to start a business - #19
Value Chain Breadth - #33
Local Supplier Quality - #35
Production Process Sophistication - #36 
Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2018 - LISBON (Source: INSEAD, The Adecco Group, TATA Communications - 90 cities):
Forbes Global 2000 companies - #3
Gross expenditure on R&D - #15
ICT access - #17
The Global Innovation Index 2018 - #32 out of 126 countries (Source: Cornell University/INSEAD/WIPO):
Political Stability & Safety - #13
Ecological Sustainability - #16
Business Environment – #18
IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2018 (Source: IMD World Competitiveness Center, 63 countries):
Immigration Laws - #7
Enforcing Contracts - #18
Regulatory Framework – #19
Attitudes toward globalization - #21
International Property Rights Index 2018 - #28 out of 125 countries (Source: Property Rights Alliance)
Political Risk Index 2018 - Portugal scores 75,6 (Source: BMI Research’s Country Risk Index/Marsh - the higher the index, the less political risk) 
Administrative Modernisation & e-Government (fewer and simplified administrative procedures, delivering public services online 24/7)
United Nations e-Government Survey 2018 (Source: UN, 193 countries):
e-Government Development Index - #29
e-Participation Index – #30
The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2018 (Source: UE, 28 countries):
Online Service Completion - #2
Pre-filled Forms - #7
Digital Public Services - #12
eGovernment Users - #16
eHealth Services - #17
Other Competitive Advantages
2018 Corporate Income Tax Rate (IRC) – 21%
Annual Inflation Rate inferior to 1% (2017)
EU Labour Cost Levels in Industry, Construction and Services, 2016 - € 13.70 (Source: EUROSTAT, 2017)
Incentives to job creation and hiring:
Co-funded Professional Internships
Contract-Employment Measure
Social Security Tax Reduction
Financial and Tax Incentives to Productive and R&D Investment
Tax Incentives to attract Talent/Expats – Non-Habitual Resident scheme
Country profile: Portugal (Source: OECD, 2018)

QUALITY OF LIFE AND SAFETY
Quality of living combined with high safety records make Lisbon an easy sell when attracting talent. Moreover, sunny weather, great food, stunning architecture, world class surfing and golf and a dynamic cultural life add to the retention of human capital in the city. 

Global Peace Index 2018  - #4 out of 163 countries (Source: Institute for Economics and Peace)
The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 (Source: WEF, 140 countries):
Infant Mortality Deaths/1,000 Live Births - #17
Health and Primary Education - #18
Life Expectancy - #22
Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2018 (Source: INSEAD, The Adecco Group, TATA Communications, 119 countries):
Physician density - #4
Tolerance of minorities - #5
Environmental performance - #7
Pension system - #12
Sanitation - #15
Tolerance of immigrants - #17
Social protection - #29 
Top Expat Destinations 2018 – #6 out of 68 countries (Source: InterNations – Expat Insider 2018, The InterNations Survey):
Quality of Life Index - #2
Feeling at Home - #3
Personal Happiness – #4
Ease of Settling In Index – #4
Leisure options – #4
Friendliness - #5
Health & Well-Being - #6
Cost of Living - #11
Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor 2017 Scores and Rankings, XL Category – #3 Lisboa (Source: EU - The Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor: 2017 Edition)
Cultural Vibrancy Index - #1
Cultural Venues & Facilities - #1
Museums - #1
Sights & landmarks - #2
Concerts & shows - #2
Creative Economy Index - #9
Jobs in new Enterprises in Other Creative Sectors - #1
New Jobs in Creative Sectors - #2
Jobs in New Arts, Culture & Entertainment Enterprises - #4
World Travel Awards 2017 & 2018  (Source: World Travel Awards):
Europe's Leading City Destination 2018 - Lisboa
Europe's Leading Cruise Port 2018 - Lisbon Cruise Port
Europe's Leading Destination 2018 - Portugal
World's Leading City Break Destination 2017 - Lisboa
World's Leading Destination 2017 - Portugal
 

LISBOA, STARTUP CITY
The start-up scene in Lisbon is thriving with record numbers of companies registered in the last few years, and there is a large contingent of foreign entrepreneurs who have taken root in the city. The wide availability of support, low taxes and affordable resources all make Lisbon an ideal launching pad for the young and ambitious. 

Incubators & Accelerators  – 32
FabLabs/Makers Spaces – 6
Co-working Spaces – 41
3 Technological Parks (LISPOLIS, TAGUSPARK e MADANPARK)
90 Higher Education Institutions in the Lisbon Area (Source: DGEEC/Pordata, 2017)
157 Research Centres
Dynamic community of business angels, venture capital companies, crowdfunding, meetups.
"Lisbon has the lowest percentage of Founders with an Undergraduate Degree at 12%, and at 82% the highest percentage with a Master’s or PhD. 76% of Lisbon teams have 2-3 founders, 3rd highest in the world. (…) Lisbon has the highest rate of Women Founders in Europe, pointing towards inclusive growth, which could become a competitive advantage over time.", 2017 Global Startup Ecosystem Report

Meet the official community of Lisbon-based innovators at Made of Lisboa.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY 
The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 (Source: WEF, 140 countries):
FDI and Technology Transfer - #15
Availability of Latest Technologies– #20
Quality of Scientific Research Institutions - #22
Internet Bandwidth kb/s/user (177.8 kbps) – #25
Firm-level Technology Absorption – #28
Availability of Scientists and Engineers - #28
Innovation - #32
Intellectual Property Protection - #32
PCT Patents Applications/million pop. - #33
University-industry Collaboration in R&D - #36
Company Spending on R&D - #39
The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2018 (Source: UE, 28 countries):
Ultrafast Broadband Coverage and take-up - #4 (95% - higher than the EU average of 58%)
Fast Broadband (NGA) Coverage - #4
E-commerce Turnover – #6
Connectivity – #8
Fixed Broadband Coverage - #8
Use of Social Networks - #8
Electronic Information Sharing - #8
Music, Videos and Games - #10
RFID – #10
Integration of Digital Technology - #11
SMEs Selling Online - #12
IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2018 (Source: IMD World Competitiveness Center, 63 countries):
Communications Technology - #6
Internet Users - #12
Innovative Firms - #13
Global Connectivity Index 2018 - #25 (Source: Huawei, 79 countries)
The Global Innovation Index 2018 - #32 out of 126 countries (Source: Cornell University/INSEAD/WIPO):
Computer Software Spending - #8
Scientific and Technical Articles - #8
Intangible Assets - #10
Industrial Designs by origin - #11
ICTs & Business Model Creation - #14
ISO 9001 Certificates - #15
Country-code TLDs - #16
Trademarks by origin - #17
ISO 14001 Certificates - #21
Reseachers, FTE/mn pop. - #23
Gross Expenditure on R&D, % GDP - #28

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VISAS

Short-term stays

Who does not need a visa?
Citizens of European Union member states, as well as of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, can live and work in Portugal without a visa.

Citizens of some other countries do not need a visa for short-term stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), being free to enter and stay in the 26 Schengen States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland), where common rules for short-stay visas apply. 

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Who does need a visa?
List of third countries whose nationals are required to hold a short-stay visa (Schengen visas), issued by one of the 26 Schengen States, to travel within the Schengen area.

To visit Portugal, visas should be applied for at the Portuguese Consulates or Embassies at the country of residence.

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Long-term stays
There are two types of long-term visas in Portugal:

Temporary stay visas (4-month period with multiple entries, for medical treatment, to study or work, for instance)

Residence visas (4-month period to apply for a residence permit)
These visas are also applied for at the Portuguese Consulates or Embassies at the country of residence. 

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Golden Visa

Portugal's Golden Visa programme is Europe's most successful residency-by-investment programme, one of the reasons for this being the low stay requirements (a mere 7 days per year on average). 
The  programme was launched in 2012 and has been promoted by the government as an investment in real estate, there are several ways to obtain the visa with the most popular being an investment of €500.000 via Real Estate acquision in Portugal.
More information about the Golden Visa program here: https://www.pt-goldenvisa.com/

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For further information on the types of visas, as well as on required procedures and documents, please contact us.

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