Key facts Portugal

POPULATION
10.3 Million (2021)

LANGUAGE
Portuguese

CAPITAL CITY
Lisbon

REGION
South Europe

CURRENCIES
Euro €

The main sectors of the Portuguese economy are: Wholesale and retail trade, transport and hospitality,  health care and industry.

Doing Business in Portugal

  • Do you want to do business in Portugal? Then make sure you are aware of Portuguese business etiquette and Portuguese business customs.
  • Personal relationships in Portugal are almost as important as the product you want to sell. Business is done on the basis of trust. Take the time to get to know each other. A Portuguese would rather do business with someone he knows and trusts. Find out carefully what the position of your Portuguese business partner is within the organization and whether he has decision-making authority.
  • Portuguese are very sensitive to academic titles. Senhor/Senhora can be perceived as derogatory by people with an academic title. However, if you speak in English or French, that problem will of course not arise.
  • You can only use first names if you are invited to do so. It is customary to shake hands with people, especially if you don't know the people well. In general, the Portuguese dress more conservatively than the Dutch when doing business.
  • Portuguese society is traditional, formal and hierarchical. Seniority is considered important and should be respected. An authoritative person has great influence on decision-making.
  • Take into account bureaucracy and paperwork. The judicial system functions very slowly, so it is preferable to avoid going to court by getting proper guidance from experts.
  • Business is slower in Portugal than elsewhere in Europe. Innovative ideas that get off the ground quickly in other countries take longer in Portugal. Consumers are conservative and that is reflected in the business culture. Starting a project is slow here.

Economy in Portugal

  • Portugal has the 14th economy in the EU
  • Portugal has 10.3 million inhabitants (2021)
  • The country has a territory of 92,225 km²
  • Portugal is a Semi-Presidential Republic
  • Dutch exports to Portugal amounted to €4.6 billion in 2022 and imports to €2.9 billion.
  • Portugal's largest cities are: Lisbon, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Amadora and Braga.

Portugal and DHL Express

DHL Express and Portugal in figures, find out how many vehicles and employees are part of our global network.

Portugal / Netherlands transit times

 

Destination

Import from Portugal to the Netherlands

Export from the Netherlands to Portugal

Transittime Document

1 Day

1 Day

Transittime Non Document

1 Day

1 Day

National holidays Portugal

 

Date

01 January
29 March
31 March
25 April
01 May 
30 May
15 August
05 October
01 November
01 December
08 December
25 December

Holiday

New Years Day
Good Friday
Easter
Day of freedom
Labour Day
Sacrament Day
Mary Assumption
Republic Day
All Saints Day
Independence Day
Mary Immaculate Conception
Christmas

Flag Portugal

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