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Archived: The Future of Construction in Portugal: Challenges and Opportunities

The Future of Construction in Portugal: Challenges and Opportunities

March 20 at Hotel Sana Malhoa

Sponsors: Arrow Global & EY

Takeaways

Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo
Private Sector Leadership: Political uncertainty creates insecurity, but it is in these moments that private entities must take on a leadership role.

  • Investment and Financing: To accelerate the sector, it is essential to invest in more PPPs and diversify funding sources (EU funds, EIB, and the Development Bank).
  • Workforce and Immigration: The sector needs over 70,000 workers. Attracting talent is urgent, ensuring technical-linguistic training and dignified working conditions.
  • Construction Industrialization: Portugal must adopt innovative solutions such as modular and prefabricated construction to increase productivity and reduce waste.

João Moura, EY – Facts & Figures – Access the presentation HERE

  • Impact of the 2008 Crisis: Between 2004 and 2022, the sector collapsed, shrinking from 112,000 to 56,300 companies and losing 200,000 workers.
  • Decline in Construction: Over the last 10 years, only 110,000 new buildings have been constructed, compared to over 1 million in the 1990s.
  • Housing Market Pressures: The arrival of 1 million immigrants and a high divorce rate (60%) have increased demand for one- and two-bedroom apartments—the same properties young people seek as their first homes.
  • Scale as a Challenge: Building 50 houses at a time does not meet demand. International examples, such as Madrid, show that a more ambitious vision can unlock thousands of affordable housing units quickly.

Panel | Key Insights

Secretary of State:

  • Portugal seeks to attract large international construction companies.
  • The private sector must take a more active role in boosting the market.
  • Skilled immigration can be a solution—especially from Portuguese-speaking countries and Latin America.

António Carlos Rodrigues, Grupo Casais:

  • The sector needs greater flexibility to respond to market demands.
  • Investing in workforce qualification is essential for competitiveness.
  • Industrialization is an inevitable path to increasing productivity and reducing waste.

José Cardoso Botelho, Vanguard Properties:

  • Portugal must accelerate approval and construction processes—Spain is a good example of efficiency.
  • Bureaucratic delays are a major obstacle: despite Portugal’s attractiveness for investment, licensing processes remain slow, hindering essential projects.
  • Buildings should be designed with industrialization in mind, minimizing waste, which can reach 30% when relying on an unskilled workforce.

John Calvao, Arrow Global:

  • “The slow system is the worst part of investing in Portugal”—process uncertainty leads investors to assume the worst-case scenario.
  • Arrow Global has already invested over €7 billion in Portugal.
  • The housing crisis is a supply problem—rethinking tax incentives and financing strategies is essential.

About the Event

The construction sector in Portugal is at a decisive moment, facing unprecedented challenges such as labor shortages, the execution of major infrastructure projects, and the need for specialized skills in housing development. This seminar aims to explore the critical issues impacting the sector, identify solutions, and promote dialogue among key stakeholders.

Program

08:30 | Check-in & Buffet Breakfast
09:00 | Welcome Address – António Martins da Costa, President of AmCham Portugal
09:10 | Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo
09:30 | Overview – A Strategic Vision for the Construction Sector

  • João Moura, Partner & Head of Real Estate, Hospitality, Construction & Infrastructure, Ernst & Young
    09:50 | Introduction to the Topic: AmCham Real Estate Committee
  • Francisco Horta e Costa, Managing Director, CBRE | Portugal
    10:05 | Panel
  • António Carlos Rodrigues, CEO, Grupo Casais
  • John Calvao, Managing Principal, Arrow Global
  • José Cardoso Botelho, CEO, Vanguard Properties
  • Moderator: Francisco Horta e Costa, Managing Director, CBRE | Portugal
    10:40 | Open Discussion with Attendees
    11:00 | Closing Remarks

Key Topics:

  • Construction Workforce Shortages
  • Major Infrastructure Projects
  • Foreign Labor and Integration
  • Investment in Education and Training
  • Challenges in Residential Construction
  • The Government’s Role in Supporting the Sector

The construction sector is a fundamental pillar of Portugal’s economic growth, driving employment, infrastructure development, and foreign investment. Addressing labor shortages, improving workforce training, and preparing for the demands of large-scale projects and high-end developments are essential challenges to ensure the sector’s continued success.

This seminar provides a platform for strategic dialogue, actionable insights, and partnerships that can shape the future of construction in Portugal.

Together, we can build a stronger and more sustainable future.

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