Portugal business travel information

Doing business in Portugal

Portugal, together with its semi-autonomous island regions of the Azores and Madeira, offers foreign exporters a market of approximately 10,6 million people in a country roughly the size 92.345 km2. As a member of the European Union, it is fully integrated with the EU. Portugal uses the euro currency, and follows directives from the European Commission in Brussels.

As with all EU countries and as one of the countries that participates in the Schengen Agreement, Portugal’s borders and ports are completely open to the free flow of trade with other EU member countries. It has a politically stable environment with a democratically elected parliamentary government and is welcoming of foreign business and investment.

Portugal’s GDP per capita is € 13.350 (2008), and its language is the 6th most widely spoken in the world. The country retains close political and economic relations with it former colonies, which are spread throughout Africa, Asia, and South America. Internal reforms have been underway since 2005 to address chronic budget deficits and economic stagnation. These (mostly structural) reforms have borne fruit, as the economy grew by 1.2% in 2006, 1.8% in 2007, and is projected to post a 0.3% gain for 2008. Portugal succeeded in bringing its budget deficit down from a high of 6% in 2005 to 2.6% in 2007 – well under the EU’s limit of 3% - and is expected to post a deficit of only 2.4% for 2008.

For 2009, against the backdrop of a severe global economic downturn, Portugal faced a recession which may see the economy contract by up to 2%. Negative growth and a concurrent rise in unemployment will undoubtedly hinder the government’s ability to implement further public-sector reforms, as will an impending general election planned for the second half of 2009.

Instead of that, there is increasing pressure for greater public spending to avoid a deeper economic crisis. That said, the government has stated it will prioritize large project investments such as a high-speed train link to Spain and a new international airport in Lisbon, which are anticipated to create diverse opportunities for technology imports and international service contracts.

Product tip: There are also nice looking laptop bags on the market! A laptop bag doesn’t have to be a dull conservative black bag. There are lot’s of great looking bags on the market these days. Special laptop bags with the protection that is needed for your laptop but also with nice designs in models and materials.

In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , Portugal you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

In case of a medical emergency you can contact:

Hospital Particular de Lisboa, Hospital with an emergency department
Avenida Luis Bivar 30
1069-142 Lisbon
Tel: 213 586 200 International: +351 213 586 200
Fax: 213 522 627
www.hpl.pt

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to Portugal it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in Portugal. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in Portugal to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names, professional and academic titles. Hierarchy is very important.
  The Portuguese are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness.
  Never interrupt somebody.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, The Portuguese would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter or an e-mail with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  The napkin stays folded next to the plate, eat not too much, leave some food on your plate when finished.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in Portuguese

Portuguese is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia and northern Portugal. It is derived from the Latin spoken by the romanized pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula around 2000 years ago. It spread worldwide in the 15th and 16th centuries as Portugal established a colonial and commercial empire (1415–1999) which spanned from Brazil in the Americas to Goa and other parts of India, Macau in China and Timor (north of Australia).

Today it is one of the world’s major languages, ranked seventh according to number of native speakers (between 191 and 230 million). It is the language of about half of South America’s population, even though Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas. It is an official language in nine countries (see the table on the right), also being co-official with Cantonese Chinese in Macau and Tetum in East Timor.

Young people in Portugal speak good English but when you encounter a non-English speaking Portuguese, here are some phrases to help the conversation...

Good day	Bom dia
Good evening	Boa tarde
Good night	Boa noite
Good bye	Adeus
See you soon	Até logo / Até a vista
Yes / No	Sim / Não
I don’t know	Não sei
True	Verdade
With pleasure	Com prazer
Where?	Onde?
When?	Quê?
Enjoy the meal!	Bom apetite!
Please	Se faz favor / Por favor
Thank you (very much)	(Muito) obrigado / obrigada
Excuse me	Com licença / Desculpe