Porto City Councillor Hugo Beirão highlights Porto as a leading European destination for investment

Hugo Beirão, Porto City Councillor for Economy and Entrepreneurship, Mobility and Transport, and Tourism and Internationalisation, has written an article for IT Ukraine Association and presenting Porto as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment. In the article, he argues that the city combines talent, innovation, connectivity and quality of life to meet the demands of the global economy.

Among the key points raised, the Councillor notes that, in 2025, Porto was named the leading European city for foreign direct investment strategy by the Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence. According to Hugo Beirão, this recognition reflects the city’s long-term and consistent approach to economic development and internationalisation.

He also highlights Porto’s strategic location in north-west Portugal, a region with 4.4 million inhabitants and one of the country’s most dynamic economic hubs. Over the past decade, the Porto Metropolitan Area has attracted more than €5 billion in foreign direct investment, through over 450 projects, creating more than 30,000 jobs.

The article identifies talent as one of Porto’s greatest competitive strengths. The region is home to 118 higher education institutions, more than 190,000 students, and produced over 209,000 graduates between 2020 and 2024, ensuring a continuous pipeline of highly qualified professionals. Portugal’s strong English-language proficiency is highlighted as a further competitive advantage, with the country ranking sixth globally in the EF Education First English Proficiency Index.

Innovation is presented as another key pillar of Porto’s competitiveness. The city is home to more than 700 start-ups, around 20,000 technology professionals, over 80 research and development centres, more than 50 incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces, and eight unicorn companies, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing technology ecosystems.

The Councillor also emphasises Porto’s international connectivity, supported by Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, together with the city’s high quality of life, recognised in 2025 with the title of Europe’s Leading Urban Destination. Its heritage, safety, accessibility and vibrant cultural scene are highlighted as factors that further strengthen Porto’s appeal to businesses and international talent.

The article also underlines the role of InvestPorto, which has supported more than 640 investment projects from 47 countries since its creation. Digital and IT services (27%) and business and financial services (18%) account for the largest share of projects supported, reflecting Porto’s growing specialisation in knowledge- and innovation-intensive sectors.

In conclusion, Hugo Beirão argues that Porto has all the conditions in place to continue attracting international investment. By combining talent, innovation, institutional collaboration and a clear strategic vision, the city is well positioned to deliver sustainable, competitive and long-term economic growth.