Portugal ranks among EU leaders in renewable energy consumption

Portugal continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Europe’s renewable energy frontrunners, ranking among the top European Union countries for the consumption of energy from renewable sources.

According to data reported by idealista, Portugal is currently the seventh-largest consumer of renewable energy in the EU, with 36.3% of its total energy consumption coming from renewable sources.

This places the country comfortably above the European Union average of 25.2%, highlighting Portugal’s long-standing commitment to clean energy.

Additionally, a recent World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Fostering Effective Energy Transition report in 2025 found Portugal was in the global top 10 for the clean energy transition.

Across the EU, renewable energy consumption has been steadily increasing, although progress remains slower than policymakers would like. In 2024, renewable sources accounted for 25.2% of total energy consumption across the bloc.

Within this broader European context, Portugal’s performance stands out. Despite not matching the levels seen in northern European countries, Portugal remains firmly within the EU’s top 10.

According to Eurostat, Sweden leads the ranking, with an impressive 62.8% of its energy consumption derived from renewable sources, followed by Finland and Denmark, both of which also benefit from extensive renewable infrastructure and favourable geographic conditions.

Portugal’s seventh-place position reflects decades of strategic investment in renewable technologies, particularly in wind, hydroelectric and solar power.

The country’s geography, combined with consistent public and private sector support, has enabled renewable energy to become a central pillar of the national energy mix.

As a result, Portugal has often been cited as an example of how smaller EU economies can make significant progress in energy transition without compromising supply security.

Portugal is actively encouraging investment in sustainable energy, and one of the most notable pathways has been through the Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme.

Through the Portugal Golden Visa, investors can commit €500,000 to eligible alternative investment funds—several of which channel capital into renewable energy initiatives and other clean technologies. This provides a gateway to both impactful investment and European residency.

The programme grants residency rights in Portugal, along with visa-free access to 29 Schengen countries, while requiring a physical stay of just seven days per year.

Beyond renewable energy, some of Portugal’s alternative investment funds take a diversified approach, allocating across sectors where the country shows strong growth potential.

This strategy appeals to investors looking for stability alongside exposure to high-growth opportunities, reducing the risks of concentrating on a single sector.

Paul Sheedy, special advisor at the Portugal Future Fund, an alternative investment fund approved for Golden Visa residency-by-investment in Portugal, said: “A multi-sector approach to investment—spanning sectors such as luxury hospitality and tourism, renewable energy, media, healthcare, and technology —not only aligns with Portugal's dynamic economic landscape but also creates a resilient portfolio that thrives across sectors."

As the EU works to accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels, Portugal’s experience and progress place it among the countries best positioned to support — and benefit from — a more sustainable and resilient European energy system.

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To find out more about investing in Portugal's Golden Visa, contact Portugal Pathways today.

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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

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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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