Portugal remains ninth in EY's European foreign-investment project ranking
EY counted 186 foreign direct investment projects announced in Portugal in 2025, down 5% year on year compared with a 7% fall across Europe.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 12 September 2026This is a private survey of announced projects and investor views, not a count of money already invested or jobs already created. Businesses should test a location decision against permits, talent, finance and operating costs.
- Portugal held ninth place in Europe by number of projects in EY's methodology.
- Expansion projects increased from 26% to 37% of the Portuguese total.
- 57% of the 200 international decision-makers surveyed said they planned to establish or expand operations in Portugal in the next 12 months.
The ranking measures projects, not their value
EY combines a database of investment projects announced in 2025 with a survey of 200 international decision-makers. A small and a very large project each count as one project in the ranking.
An announcement may still change, be delayed or fail to reach operation. The figures therefore describe investment activity and sentiment, not a guaranteed flow of capital or employment.
Technology is prominent, but execution still matters
Software, IT services, business services and professional services together represented 44% of the projects counted. Investors also identified artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and data centres as an opportunity.
The same study points to licensing speed, specialised talent, access to capital and energy cost as constraints. A company should confirm the exact licensing, grid, property, labour and financing position before committing to a Portuguese site.
What you can do now.
- 01
Read the survey methodology before comparing countries.
- 02
Verify permits, infrastructure and labour needs for the exact location.
- 03
Treat an announced project separately from delivered investment and jobs.
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