“We are in a good moment, we are in fashion in a way, we really are,” he said.
“Europe looks at us, looks at our companies, at our human resources, especially the younger and more qualified ones.

“Europe and the world look at our aptitude for technologies, our location, our security, and our strategy in key areas such as energy and water,” he added.

According to Montenegro, Portugal’s rising global profile is not always fully recognised domestically, despite being increasingly valued abroad.

He said: “It is a country with international credibility that perhaps we do not fully realise internally, at least not in the dimension in which this effect is being felt and translated externally. But it is a country with high competitiveness factors that make it increasingly attractive.”

The Prime Minister believes Portugal is outperforming many comparable countries in strategic areas that are critical for drawing in investment. These strengths, he noted, are helping to build robust economic ecosystems across a range of sectors while also supporting the attraction and retention of qualified talent.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client - Portugal Pathways; Portugal's Prime Minister has reaffirmed the country's growing economic status

Reiterating his commitment to reform, Montenegro said he is determined “to go further and to do more” for Portugal, stressing that ambition must go hand in hand with “responsibility, realism, confidence and the ability to transform”.

He highlighted recent government initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth, including “more worker-friendly taxation and more business-friendly taxation, and in the fight against bureaucracy”.

The government is also pursuing greater flexibility in the labour market, he said, while ensuring that fundamental workers’ rights remain protected. This, according to the Prime Minister, should give companies the confidence to grow, take measured risks, improve profitability and ultimately increase wages.

“And the effect we want is that in a few years we will be growing at double the rate we grow today, and that in a few years our wages, especially the average wage, which is our focus, can reach the level of the best in Europe. Yes, there are conditions for that,” he said.

Portugal has further strengthened its appeal to international investors through the Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client - Portugal Pathways; Portugal's Golden Visa has contributed €54 billion in wider economic impact

A report by the World Digital Foundation (WDF) estimates that the Portugal Golden Visa has delivered €54 billion in broader economic impact.

Under the programme, investors are required to commit €500,000 to one or more qualifying alternative investment funds.

Golden Visa holders benefit from visa-free travel across the 29 countries of the EU Schengen area, the ability to include eligible family members under a single application, and a route to dual citizenship and an EU passport after the required residency period.

Reinforcing Portugal’s reputation as a reliable ‘Plan B’, investors need to spend just seven days per year in the country to maintain their Golden Visa residency status.

To find out more about applying for Portugal’s Golden Visa programme, arrange a free discovery call with one of Portugal Pathways’ experts.