RelyOn Relocation® News

OnStrategy has valued the “Portugal” brand at an impressive €257 billion, reflecting the combined weight of the country’s key economic sectors. Its reputation boosts the primary industries such as wine, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Export leaders — from automotive to textiles and ceramics — gain additional trust through the “Made in Portugal” label. Tourism and digital services remain the strongest engines shaping global perception. With a brand strength index of 62.5, Portugal’s image stands as a real economic asset, not just a reputation.

Portugal’s Constitutional Court will assess a request from the Socialist Party, which argues that recent amendments violate applicants’ rights. Key concerns include removing the ability to count residence-permit processing time toward citizenship and introducing new grounds for passport revocation.
Two formal requests have been submitted, giving the judges 25 days to reach a decision. The party highlights the lack of a transition period, potential unequal treatment of naturalised citizens, and vague criteria for refusal or loss of citizenship.
They stress that excluding residence-permit waiting time effectively penalises immigrants for administrative delays that can last up to three years.

Even as property prices rise, there are still affordable options in Portugal. According to idealista, three municipalities offer houses under €500/sqm: Pampilhosa da Serra (€494/sqm), Penamacor (€496/sqm), and Nisa (€498/sqm).
Meanwhile, the most expensive properties are in Lisbon (€5,886/sqm), Cascais (€5,510/sqm), and Loulé (€4,569/sqm).

On November 11, two controversial bills — on citizenship reform and on citizenship loss for criminal offenses — were officially sent to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The President has 8 days to request a Constitutional Court review and 20 days to decide whether to promulgate or veto the laws.
His position remains unclear, though some constitutional risks are likely to be reviewed. Even if vetoed, Parliament can override the decision with a two-thirds majority. The process won’t drag on — the Constitutional Court must rule within 25 days.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has signed a law to cut Portugal’s corporate tax (IRC) from 20% to 17% by 2028 — 1% per year. For small businesses, the rate on the first €50,000 profit drops from 16% to 15%.
The government says the reform supports growth, while the opposition warns it will cost €300 million a year. The first cut — from 21% to 20% — is already in effect.

AIMA has clarified the validity period for residence permits that have expired.

• Permits that expired before June 30, 2025 will remain valid until April 15, 2026.
• For permits expiring after June 30, 2025, the general rule applies: they stay valid 6 months beyond the expiry date.

This means foreign residents keep their legal right to stay in Portugal for six months after their permit expires. While waiting for renewal, carry both the expired permit and the receipt confirming the renewal request.