Portugal is mounting a notable bid to become the host of a new, as-yet-unnamed European Union agency, aiming to bolster its economic and strategic standing within the bloc. Facing initial questions regarding its geographic distance from Brussels, Portuguese officials have launched a targeted campaign emphasizing the country’s historical role in global trade-dating back to Porto‘s establishment as a customs authority in the 14th century-and its modern infrastructure for digital security. A final decision on the agency’s location will be made collectively by the european Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Portugal is making a strong push to host a new European Union agency, emphasizing its long history of trade, strategic location, and commitment to digital security. The bid, presented to the European Parliament, aims to address concerns about the country’s distance from Brussels and highlight its advantages as a gateway to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The selection of a host city will be made jointly by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento directly addressed concerns about Portugal’s location, stating, “In the first place, I would like to say that Portugal has the oldest borders in Europe, the same borders as always. We were pioneers in global trade and we can say that we invented customs, modern customs, with Porto as a customs authority since the 14th century.” He further asserted that Porto is “a very, very pro-trade city,” a characteristic ingrained since the Middle Ages.
Officials argue that Porto’s location offers advantages beyond proximity to Brussels. “The city is really very well located,” Sarmento continued. “Sometimes people say it is very far from Brussels, but it is much closer to North America, Central America, South America and Africa. And there are connections with all of them. It is easier to reach any European capital from Porto than from Strasbourg, which is the seat of the European Parliament.” The city currently receives over 70 million passengers annually, with daily connections to the Americas, Africa, and South America, as well as daily flights to Istanbul.
To further incentivize relocation, Portugal is offering a special tax regime for employees moving to Porto. According to Sarmento, individuals relocating to the city will be eligible for a non-resident tax rate of 20 percent for ten years, with additional tax exemptions for those under 35, particularly regarding first-time home purchases.
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel emphasized the suitability of the proposed facilities, noting their proximity to the airport (17 minutes), the city center (10 minutes), and metro stations (5 minutes walking distance). “The building is located in the business area. It is a very, very modern building that is ready to receive the agency as soon as needed,” he said. Rangel also highlighted the city’s amenities, including its riverfront, beaches, universities, business schools, and international schools – including German, British, and French institutions with over a century of history.
Portugal presented itself as the seventh safest country in the world, boasting accessible healthcare and education systems, alongside a network of European schools. The country also emphasized its technological advancements and experience in areas like maritime security. “Portugal has the largest maritime zone, where we can combat fraud. We can combat crime. We can protect public health. We can protect food safety. And all of this is related to customs,” Rangel stated.
Addressing concerns about data security, officials underscored Portugal’s robust digital infrastructure. “Portugal has a very, very developed digital infrastructure. Porto is an example of this. And the building has very robust and redundant solutions to protect data,” Sarmento added. Rangel pointed to Portugal’s role as a key landing point for numerous undersea cables, giving the country extensive experience in protecting against hybrid attacks and ensuring digital infrastructure security. He stated, “We are the gateway to Europe when we look at the rest of the world… In the digital age, why are we still discussing this?”
Rangel further detailed the security features of the proposed buildings, stating they meet the highest standards of civil security legislation, including end-to-end encryption, rigorous access controls, multi-factor authentication, and comprehensive audit logs. He described the facilities as “a kind of safe haven.” Portugal also hosts the NATO Cyber Security Centre in Lisbon, demonstrating its significant expertise in cybersecurity.
Sarmento reinforced Portugal’s commitment to innovation in customs procedures, stating the country possesses “one of the most innovative and technologically advanced customs authorities” and has been a pioneer in developing EU customs policy.
The political commitment to securing the agency is strong, with the country’s number two and number three government officials present at the presentation. Rangel emphasized Portugal’s consistent support for free trade and the internal market, questioning what partners would think if the agency were located in a country that did not champion these principles.
