Portugal continues to be an attractive investment destination, but also a strong investor abroad. Data from the Bank of Portugal, confirms a significant acceleration in the flow of capital between Portugal and the rest of the world in 2024.

While foreign direct investment in Portugal (FDI) accelerated by 15.4% last year to €12.2 billion, Portuguese direct investment (IPE) abroad grew by 19% to €6.2 billion, the highest volume since 2021. This dynamic reflects not only the continued attractiveness of the national economy for international investors but also the ambition of Portuguese companies to expand their influence beyond borders.

Figures from the Bank of Portugal show that the year 2024 consolidated the recovery trend of FDI in Portugal, with an increase of 1.6 billion euros compared to 2023. This jump occurred in a context in which the FDI stock reached 58.5% of GDP, progressively approaching pre-financial crisis levels.

One of the drivers of this growth continues to be the real estate sector, which raised more than €1 billion in the third quarter of 2024 alone. Despite the end of golden visas, demand for high-value properties by European and North American investors remained resilient, with operations in Lisbon and the Algarve standing out.

At the same time, sectors such as renewable energy and technology have attracted strategic investment, including green hydrogen projects and data centers. While in terms of geographical composition of FDI, the Eurozone remained the main origin (73%) in 2024, with Germany and the Netherlands leading the transactions.

Europe remained the main destination (82% of the total), with Spain, France and Poland absorbing the majority of investments. Sectors such as food distribution, civil construction and financial services stood out. Outside the European Union, Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP) attracted 12% of Portuguese investment abroad, with projects linked to solar energy and intensive agriculture gaining particular prominence.