People

You may link Portugal to Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joana Vasconcelos, Paula Rego, Joana Carneiro, Mariza, Siza Vieira, Souto de Moura, Daniela Ruah or Diogo Morgado. You are right! We are proud of this, and also proud of them.

But we are also proud of so many skilled, talented and friendly people whose names wouldn't fit in this short tag but that are truly Portugal's best Ambassadors.

Their talent and qualifications make businesses feel confident in success. Their smiles make visitors feel welcome.


Our greatest asset.
Our people.

Creative

The Portuguese create two inventions per day. Portuguese inventions are increasing at a rate of 40% per year since 2004, being now the country with the largest growth in patent applications to protect inventions in the European community area.

From the discovery of new medicinal drugs to the development of new equipment for the use of renewable energy, as well as devices to measure pain, all types of new patent applications keep arriving each day at the National Institute of Industrial Property.

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Resourceful

Portuguese people are known for many things. For the past centuries, we've had our own share of distinguished navigators, scientists, architects, poets and engineers. They all left their imprint in the world. Common to them all, is a capacity to adapt and being resilient.

Indeed, we've had our share of hard times, but somehow have always found a way through them, whether discovering unheard-of-continents and sea-routs, establishing the first global Empire or reinventing ourselves in late 20th century as a deeply committed European country.

We're all about flexibility and adaptability. One thing is certain: when times are rough, the Portuguese can face up to the challenge.

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Friendly

Future Brand conducted a survey about the Portuguese people's most recognized attributes: warmth and hospitality ranked in first place.

Brand Asset Evaluator also did a study about Portugal's main assets, and "Friendly" came in first place.

Recently, the Portuguese Tourism board conducted a survey to assess the level of satisfaction of foreigners visiting Portugal. As a result, 74% declared to be satisfied with the hospitality of Portuguese people.

According to World Economic Forum, Portugal is the 7th most welcoming country for tourists.

It is part of our tradition to welcome everyone with a big smile.

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Qualified

Portugal has a strong base of qualified people, at the highest levels of education. The country formed 20 353 new PhD's between 2000 and 2013. Social Sciences, Exact and Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology are the main fields of their expertise.

Between 2000 and 2013, the country also witnessed the graduation of 1 022 042 new graduates in higher levels of education, mainly in the fields of Social Sciences, Business, Law, Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction.

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Talented

Portugal is the birthplace of Nobel Prize winners such as José Saramago (Literature) or Egas Moniz (Medicine), and Pritzker Prize winners such as Siza Vieira or Souto de Moura.

Also, a country of talented sportsmen such as José Mourinho (Best World Coach 2010), Cristiano Ronaldo (Best Football Player: 2008, 2012); artists such as Joana Vasconcelos or Paula Rego; brilliant Fado singers such as Mariza or Carminho; skilled cinema stars such as Daniela Ruah ("NCIS LA"), Diogo Morgado ("The Bible"), Joaquim de Almeida ("Fast and Furious"), Maria de Medeiros ("Pulp Fiction"), as well as talented scientists such as Elvira Fortunato (inventor of the paper transistor and winner of the Seeds of Science Award).

It is fair to say that Portugal is a country of many talents.

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