Porto Digital Europe: the attractive business connection between Latin America and Portugal
Founded in 2000 in the city of Recife, Brazil, Digital Port It has become one of the largest innovation and technology ecosystems in Latin America.
This technology park houses more than 400 companies and government agencies, with 18 professionals and entrepreneurs dedicated to the areas of software production and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services, creative economy and cities of the future.
With projects that generated more than one billion dollars during 2023, Porto Digital has not only focused on the economic aspect: since its founding, more than 138 square meters of historic buildings have been restored in the capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, in a region that previously had little influence on the local economy.
This initiative, which the specialist magazine Wired described in 2023 as “the quixotic technology hub that actually worked”, has one of its most ambitious developments in the Portuguese city of Aveiro: Porto Digital Europe, a bold move that promises to attract many investors and skilled labor.
Why Aveiro? There are several reasons. For example, its strategic location in the global context is very convenient for entrepreneurs, who also have access to highly qualified human resources in the IT field.
On the other hand, and as we have already mentioned in previous blog posts, the quality of life in Portugal has always been one of the key factors when choosing it as a destination. work destination o to retirealong with the cost of living, which in that location is also lower than in other major European cities.
Another aspect to highlight is that the local municipality has the initiative Aveiro Tech Citywhich seeks to create “an economically competitive and environmentally sustainable city (…) more connected and smart, transforming its territory into a place that uses technology as a means to solve the needs of its citizens.” Objectives fully compatible with the ideas that drive Porto Digital Europe.
In the current landscape, where Latin America exports technology and highly qualified professionals to the world, the existence of Porto Digital in Portugal is undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity, both for independent professionals and for entrepreneurs in the technology sector, in all its areas.
Portugal is an attractive destination for remote work; This has been stated in several publications.Furthermore, in 2023 a pilot program was implemented there to have a 4-day work week, with positive results.
The reality is that technology not only brings people closer together and optimizes processes, but also eliminates borders. Technology professionals often enjoy greater freedom to work from anywhere in the world. With the aim of attracting this demographic, Portugal offers several specific options to simplify obtaining residency permits and authorizations in the country.
You can apply for a digital nomad visa, which offers tax benefits and the possibility of obtaining Portuguese nationality after five years of legal residence.
Another possibility, if you are considered a “highly skilled worker”, It's the D3 Visa or “HQA”, which you can choose if you have an employment contract or service provision agreement with an institution or company operating in Portugal.
You can also opt for one entrepreneur visaThis is one of the best options if you want to invest in a technology-related company or project. It doesn't impose restrictions on business activity, job creation, or capital investment; nor does it set a minimum investment requirement. It simply needs to be reasonable for the type of business you want to pursue.
AIM Global, experts in international mobility, has offices in Lisbon and Santiago. Our team is ready to advise you whether you're looking for a plan B for your life, want to diversify your assets, or want to work remotely from Portugal. Don't put it off, schedule a meeting now!
