1. The Number of Immigrants in Portugal Has Nearly Quadrupled Since 2017
By the end of 2024, the number of immigrants in Portugal surged to nearly 1.55 million, nearly quadrupling the 421,785 recorded in 2017, according to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). This increase was particularly noticeable in the first half of the year when the “manifestation of interest” mechanism, which has since been abolished by the current government, was still in place. With the revision of the final data, the total number of foreigners in Portugal could reach 1.6 million, factoring in 50,000 additional individuals who submitted regularization requests under the transitional regime introduced in mid-2024.
However, after the June 2024 end of the “manifestation of interest” program, there was a 59% drop in the flow of foreign nationals seeking residence permits in Portugal. Due to the current context, the government has highlighted its “regulated and humanitarian” approach to immigration, emphasizing the need to better integrate immigrants into the labor market and society. To support this goal, the government has replaced the old mechanism with “fast-track” visa channels for foreign workers, contingent on employers offering contracts, training, and suitable housing.
Note that the government’s shift reflects its efforts to regulate immigration and halt unregulated entries, aiming to ensure that foreign workers are better prepared for integration. This policy transition is part of a broader strategy to address immigration flows in a way that balances control with humanitarian objectives, while also ensuring the effective inclusion of immigrants in the workforce.
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2. Satellite Constellation and Spaceport Will Change the Paradigm of Space in Portugal
The Portuguese Space Agency is set to reshape the nation’s role in global space exploration, with major projects such as the ATOM and Atlantic constellations set to launch by 2027. The new spaceport on Santa Maria Island, expected to debut its first suborbital flight by 2026, marks a pivotal step in establishing Portugal as a key player in Europe’s evolving space economy. This shift signals a transformation, offering capabilities that could change the paradigm of space in Portugal and Europe as a whole, positioning the nation at the intersection of space and defense.
Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency, emphasizes Europe’s need for greater strategic autonomy in space, especially in light of changing geopolitical dynamics and the challenges posed by the United States’ dominance in the sector. With a growing focus on security and defense, Conde envisions a substantial increase in Portugal’s space budget, potentially surpassing 200 million euros, to fuel the expansion of both civilian and defense-related space endeavors. Despite the dominance of American firms like SpaceX, Europe is striving for autonomy, recognizing the importance of rapid response capabilities and the ability to launch satellites for military and commercial purposes.
Despite the difference in size, the investment in the space sector is already on the rise in Portugal, where an industrial integration agenda is taking shape, with companies involved in everything from satellite components to space-based services. With around 80 companies now operating in the sector, the country is beginning to establish itself as a “fly nation,” a critical step toward building an independent space industry. As defense budgets rise and demand for space capabilities grows, Portugal is positioning itself to harness the synergies between industry and defense, fostering the internal demand necessary to compete on the international stage.
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3. Union Calls for Criminal Investigation into INEM Management
The Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) has urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) to investigate the findings by the General Health Inspectorate (IGAS) regarding the National Institute of Emergency Medical Assistance (INEM), calling it a matter for a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission. Rui Lázaro, president of STEPH, emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating that the facts go beyond the preliminary conclusions released in December.
IGAS has proposed an inquiry into additional payments made to internal trainers at INEM, which could potentially involve disciplinary and financial responsibility, according to a report of almost 500 pages. The investigation, accessed by the news agency Lusa, suggests a deeper probe into these payments to determine any possible legal violations.
Rui Lázaro also pointed out that the current INEM Board of Directors has been in office for nearly a year, despite the ongoing illegalities, and stressed that those responsible for these actions continue to oversee INEM departments. He reiterated the need for both the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Assembly of the Republic to take action to address the management of INEM and its possible wrongdoings.
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4. EU Will Launch AI Gigafactories and Portugal May Join the Race
Portugal is a member of the EuroHPC and, as such, is a possible candidate to receive an AI Gigafactory. This would represent a very important investment to position the country on the international AI map, and Portugal has been pointed to in the industry as a location of excellence for new data centers, thanks to factors like access to cheap renewable energy, proximity to the sea and the submarine cable network, and the low prevalence of extreme weather events. Note that the training of AI models demands high energy capacity, which is already becoming scarce in some of the largest European data center markets.
The Portuguese data center association, PortugalDC, has already signaled that the country is one of the main alternative locations in Europe for the installation of AI infrastructure. This is reinforced by the growing interest of international investors in the national market. However, Portugal faces a disadvantage when compared to other countries, including Spain, due to restrictions on the purchase of AI processors by the United States. This is because, at the start of the year, the Biden Administration did not include Portugal on the list of 18 “key allies and partners” exempt from export restrictions, limiting AI chip imports to 50,000 units over two years. Experts warned that this decision could cause reputational damage, even if the national market is far from importing those quantities.
The current calendar foresees the official call for the installation of AI Gigafactories in the fourth quarter of 2025. Proposals will need to include a detailed business plan, energy requirements, governance mechanisms, location justification, and future market perspectives. Portugal, being a member of the EuroHPC, is, therefore, in the race. With the right coordination between public and private sectors, and a transparent, competitiveness-driven framework, the country could attract one of the most ambitious AI investments in Europe.
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5. Portuguese Government Distances Itself from U.S. Anti-Diversity Demands Toward Portuguese Companies
The Portuguese government has distanced itself from the controversy sparked by letters sent by the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon to Portuguese companies with public contracts in the United States, pressuring them to drop their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The Portuguese Minister of the Economy, Pedro Reis, avoided taking a firm stance, stating he preferred “not to focus on points of discord.” “What Portugal, the European Union, and our companies need is to rebuild relationships, not focus on points of discord,” he said.
Portuguese business leaders made it clear they refuse to “go along with the whims” of the U.S. This reaction stands in contrast to firmer responses from other European countries. Belgium declared it would not back down “even a millimeter” on the principle of diversity, France’s Foreign Trade Minister was “deeply shocked” and called for “zero tolerance” toward compromising national values, and Denmark denounced the move as “a new attempt at American trade barriers”, calling for “a coordinated European response.”
The U.S. initiative is based on an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January, seeking to “eliminate unlawful discrimination and restore merit-based opportunities.” This includes companies that hold contracts with the U.S. government. In response, Portugal’s Commission for Equality in Labor and Employment condemned “an unacceptable intrusion” into internal policies, while the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion warned of a “lack of respect for the sovereignty of nations and organizations.”
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6. Portuguese Businessman and Five Companies Named as Suspects in Belgium Fraud Case
A businessman and five Portuguese companies have been named as formal suspects for alleged fraud involving payments to the Belgian social security system. According to the GNR’s Fiscal Action Unit, the group was targeted in a large-scale international police operation aimed at dismantling an organized network engaged in simulating employment contracts. Their method consisted of gaining financial advantages through fictitious contracts, systematically evading social security and tax obligations in Belgium, causing damages of over 13 million euros.
The operation spanned Portugal, Belgium, and Germany, and, in Portugal, 11 searches were carried out in the districts of Porto, Viseu, and Lisbon, targeting residences, accounting offices, and commercial headquarters. Documents, computer equipment, and three luxury vehicles worth 410,000 euros were seized. As a result, the businessman and the five companies are suspected of social security fraud, criminal association, money laundering, and fraud.
At the center of the Belgian investigation is BTB (Bridges, Tunnels and Buildings), a construction company based in Brussels, owned by Portuguese nationals, that employed over 200 posted workers from Portugal. These workers came from multiple Portuguese companies that repeatedly went bankrupt, allowing BTB to circumvent EU rules on posting workers and avoid paying social contributions. This gave them a competitive edge in public contracts, including work on NATO’s new headquarters.
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7. Jazz Will Return to Alegria: With Funding for Renovations, Hot Clube Is Set to Reopen This Year
The Hot Clube de Portugal, Europe’s oldest jazz club, has been closed since January 2023, after a safety inspection led to the closure of its building. However, following the approval of €239,500 in financial aid by the Lisbon City Council, the club is set to reopen this year. This funding will allow for crucial renovations, such as roof repairs, to ensure the club can resume operations at its historic location at Praça da Alegria.
Founded in 1948, the Hot Clube has faced setbacks, including losing its original space to a fire and relocating nearby. Despite the recent closure, the club has remained active through other city venues and external productions. The financial support marks a critical turning point, with the club already negotiating with contractors and planning for a reopening in six to eight months. In this regard, the club’s president, Pedro Moreira, stresses the importance of this funding to revive the club and strengthen its artistic vision.
The planned renovations are expected to allow Hot Clube to return with improvements to the space and a more international, robust artistic program. Although the closure has resulted in significant financial and community loss, the club is optimistic about rebuilding its connection with jazz lovers and the public. Additionally, along with ongoing repairs, the club is working towards the creation of a Jazz House, a museum to showcase its 77-year legacy.
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8. Insurance Due To Storm “Martinho” Reaches Nearly 50 Million Euros
Insurance companies have revised their losses from Storm Martinho, which struck at the end of March, to nearly 50 million euros, which was almost double the initial estimate. According to the Portuguese Association of Insurers (APS), 22,319 claims were reported, resulting in total damage of around 50 million euros. The majority of these claims (97.9%) relate to home insurance and insurance for commercial and industrial activities.
Out of the 50 million euros in damages, approximately 5.9 million euros have already been paid out, while 44.2 million euros remain provisioned for future indemnities. Note that the first estimate, released on March 31, had projected damages of 28 million euros, with 14,681 claims, but APS had anticipated a revision upwards.
Storm Martinho, which, as mentioned in a previous article, caused strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, led to thousands of incidents across mainland Portugal from March 19 to 23, primarily involving fallen trees and damaged structures. Orange weather warnings, the second highest level, were in effect during the event, adding to the scale of the damages.
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9. Lisbon to Host a Classical Music Festival Aimed at Reaching All Audiences
Lisbon will host “Around Classic,” a new classical music festival designed to make the genre more accessible to diverse audiences. Taking place from May 30 to June 1, the event will feature both indoor and outdoor concerts, as well as a children’s theater performance, and will be integrated into the Festas de Lisboa. Key venues include Parque Mayer, the Variedades and Capitólio theaters, and Cinema São Jorge.
This first edition of the new festival will focus on Johann Sebastian Bach, with musicians from different generations and backgrounds interpreting and reinventing his work. Notable performances include a jazz arrangement of Bach’s themes by Daniel Bernardes, Ricardo Toscano, and João Barradas, and recitals by accordionist Alexander Hrustevich and the Goldberg Variations performed in a unique concert experience designed to be enjoyed lying down.
With artistic direction by Miguel Leal Coelho, “Around Classic” aims to challenge the formalities typically associated with classical music. To that end, in an attempt to be an inclusive cultural event for all, the festival will feature free concerts on June 1st and discounted tickets for people with special needs and their companions.
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10. In May, Cordoaria Nacional Will Transform Into a Playground for Collectors
The Lisbon Art and Antiques Fair (LAAF), running from May 9th to 17th at Cordoaria Nacional, will bring together 35 exhibitors from both Portugal and abroad, showcasing modern and contemporary art, design, jewelry, and antiques. This prestigious event covers 1,380 square meters, offering a rich experience with national and international participants, including galleries, antique dealers, and specialists in various artistic fields.
This year’s edition features Pedro Calapez as the guest artist, presenting his Lameiros series, inspired by the communal lands of northeastern Trás-os-Montes. Apart from that, the fair will also introduce five new participants, including Alexandra Matias Jewelry and Atelier Daciano da Costa, alongside a scenographic project designed by OITOEMPONTO. Note that, with its diverse program, the LAAF will span from Classical Antiquity to contemporary design.
In addition to the exhibits, the event will host the Conversations About Art series, with notable lectures such as Azulejo: A Heritage with a Future and Visiting a Private Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. Moreover, the program also includes discussions on topics like Ethnology and Design – Open Dialogues, creating a dynamic platform for both art lovers and collectors to engage with cutting-edge themes.
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