Portugal has established itself as one of Europe’s foremost nations in specialist skills, producing a higher proportion of engineering graduates than nearly any other EU country.
According to Portugal Global (AICEP, 2024), Portugal ranks third in the European Union for the share of higher education graduates in engineering, with approximately 30% of all students in tertiary education enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Within that figure, engineering represents the single largest category, reflecting the country’s strong technical and industrial tradition.
Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reinforces this position.
The Education at a Glance 2025 report shows that around 21% of Portuguese tertiary graduates hold degrees in engineering, manufacturing, or construction, compared with the OECD average of 14%.
This makes Portugal one of the top three countries in Europe for the relative number of engineering graduates, placing it ahead of larger economies such as France, Spain, and Italy.
This success stems from a long-standing national commitment to applied science and technical education.
Portuguese universities and polytechnic institutes have built robust engineering faculties, with the universities of Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Aveiro recognised internationally for the quality of their engineering programmes.
These institutions maintain close partnerships with industry, ensuring curricula are responsive to the evolving needs of sectors such as energy, automotive, aerospace, and digital technologies.
The strong pipeline of engineering graduates has also become a cornerstone of Portugal’s economic development strategy; some of which are being supported by certain alternative investment funds eligible for Portugal's Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme.
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Over the past decade, the country has attracted significant foreign investment in research, innovation, and high-value manufacturing.
Multinational companies, including Bosch, Siemens, Volkswagen, and Embraer, have expanded their operations in Portugal in part due to the availability of a highly skilled engineering workforce.
AICEP, the national investment agency, has frequently cited this talent pool as one of the country’s key competitive advantages.
Furthermore, Portugal’s focus on engineering education aligns with its broader transition toward a knowledge-based and sustainable economy.
Engineering graduates are playing vital roles in Portugal’s growing renewable energy sector - especially in wind, solar, and hydropower - as well as in infrastructure, smart mobility, and digital transformation projects.
The government’s Portugal Digital and Green Transition initiatives rely heavily on the expertise of these professionals to meet EU sustainability and innovation targets.
However, challenges remain. Although Portugal produces a high volume of engineering graduates, retaining them within the national labour market has proven difficult.
The OECD notes that many Portuguese engineers pursue careers abroad, attracted by higher salaries and larger research budgets in northern Europe. To address this, policymakers have introduced incentives for research and innovation at home, including expanded R&D tax credits and support for technology-based start-ups.
About Portugal Pathways
Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on estate planning, wealth management, Golden Visa and tax optimisation, including post-NHR / IFICI tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, money transfers and bespoke relocation and luxury real estate solutions to enhance life and investment in Portugal
Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.
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