Lisbon, Portugal Hotels and City Guide

Lisbon - Business Tips

Lisbon's Local Economy

Tourism, insurance, consulting, tertiary education (Lisbon has three universities) and telecommunications (television networks, radio stations, major newspapers) and technology are major service industries. Financial multinationals such as Arthur Anderson, Barclays Bank and KPMG have offices in the city.

Lisbon's manufacturing industry produces textiles, footwear, leather, furniture, ceramics and cork (Portugal produces half the world’s cork). Portugal is also an important agricultural country growing cereals, olive trees, grape vines, oranges, pears and other fruits. It also produces beet sugar, sunflower oil and tobacco. Portuguese wines and olive oil are highly valued.

Tungsten, tin and uranium are mined. Modern industries include oil refining, petrochemicals, cement, automotive and ship industries, electronic and electrical industries, machinery, and paper.

Lisbon is also Portugal’s chief seaport, and the south bank of the Tagus is heavily industrialised.

Lisbon’s stock exchange, part of the pan-European Euronext system together with those of Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, is tied with the New York Stock Exchange, forming part of the multinational NYSE Euronext group of stock exchanges.

Lisbon hosts two agencies of the European Union: the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) also has its headquarters in Lisbon.

Lisbon Business Etiquette

Lisbon's Local Business Customs
Appointments are mandatory and should be made in advance and reconfirmed a few days prior to the meeting, and initial correspondence should be written in Portuguese. Do not write in red ink. Business socialising is done in bars and restaurants, not in homes.

Business Meetings
Punctuality for meetings is important; five minutes late is considered on time. Expect small talk before business is discussed, and maintain direct eye contact while speaking.

Have printed material available in both English and Portuguese. Presentations should be accurate, detailed and thorough. Have charts and figures to back up your claims. Agendas serve as starting points for discussions; they do not serve as schedules. The highest-ranking person makes the decisions whichare not reached at meetings as business is conducted slowly. Do not show impatience.

Lisbon's Business Dress Code
Business suits are standard office wear for men and women. Do not remove your suit jacket unless your Portuguese business associates do.

Greeting Someone in Lisbon
Portuguese negotiate with people, not companies. Shaking hands is customary when meeting and taking leave, and business cards are exchanged after introduction. When addressing someone, use their title, especially if they have a profession (Engenheiro, for example) or a university degree, followed by their full name. University graduates are usually referred to as ‘Doctor(a)’. Mr, Ms, Mrs translate to Sr, Sra.

Lisbon's Business Hours
Normal business hours are Monday to Friday 09.00-13.00 and 15.00-18.00, and meetings are often interrupted for long lunches. Many businesses close during August.

Hotels in Lisbon, Portugal