PORTUGAL AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN BRAZIL AND EUROPE: A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR BRAZILIAN EXPORTERS
An increasing number of Brazilian companies are looking at Portugal not as a final destination, but as a strategic entry point to the European market. This trend has been gaining momentum in recent months, driven by the implementation of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, and has been highlighted by several key players in the business and political landscapes of both countries.
A CLEAR MARKET SIGNAL
Nasser Sattar, President of KPMG, has been vocal about this movement, observing that several international companies, not only European but also Brazilian, have been seeking out Portugal as their gateway to the rest of Europe. According to the executive, this interest has been reinforced by the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which reduces barriers and creates more favorable conditions for trade between the two blocs.
Sattar's assessment stems from a diagnosis of the Portuguese economy: the country has shown greater economic resilience compared to several European partners. This stability, combined with investment incentives in a globally unstable geopolitical context, makes Portugal an attractive entry point for companies looking to operate in Europe without facing the barriers of language, legal frameworks, or geographical distance alone.
This is not an isolated viewpoint. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva himself, during a visit to Lisbon, reinforced the idea that Portugal can become the main gateway for Brazilian business interests in Europe, even suggesting that part of the production chain linked to future negotiations between Brazil and the EU could be built on Portuguese territory.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO BRAZILIAN COMPANIES
For an exporting company in Brazil, entering any European market directly involves dealing with a set of challenges that can easily become obstacles on their own:
- Distinct language and business culture in each destination country
- Complex and fragmented customs and tax regulations among the 27 Member States
- Logistics — finding reliable routes, operators, and warehousing
- Lack of a local presence to build credibility with distributors and clients
Portugal addresses several of these challenges simultaneously: it shares a language with Brazil, is integrated into the European single market, possesses well-positioned ports and logistics infrastructure on the Atlantic-Europe axis, and offers a stable fiscal and legal framework within the EU.
THE ROLE OF LTA – LOCAL TRADE ALLIANCE
This is exactly where LTA steps in. As a strategic partner in international trading, procurement, and logistics, we help companies, both Portuguese businesses looking to export to Brazil, Angola, and North Africa, and Brazilian companies wanting to use Portugal as a launchpad into Europe, turn this market opportunity into concrete operations:
- Identification of reliable suppliers and distributors on both sides of the Atlantic
- Complete logistical structuring (maritime, FCL/LCL, warehousing, customs clearance)
- Documentary and customs support, including the specific regulatory framework of each market
- Close guidance, with direct knowledge of the business realities in Portugal, Brazil, and Angola
The Mercosur-EU agreement and Portugal's repositioning as a commercial bridge are not just news, they represent a real window of opportunity for those who act in time.