Portugal's space sector boosts GDP

That’s according to a new socioeconomic study carried out by Novaspace on behalf of the Portuguese Space Agency.

The research reveals the sector supported an average of 4,500 jobs annually over the period and delivered average yearly tax revenues of €290 million to the state.

It examined more than 156 companies and institutions, whose combined activities produced over €1.1 billion in direct economic output, €559 million in direct gross value added, and around 2,162 direct jobs each year.

In total, the sector represented roughly 0.1% of Portugal's GDP across the six years.

Beyond these direct effects, Novaspace found that space-related activity generated €729 million in indirect output through supply chains, together with €350 million in indirect gross value added and approximately 1,350 jobs annually.

Spending by direct and indirect employees added a further €548 million in induced output, €305 million in induced gross value added, and about 935 jobs a year.

The study concluded that every euro added directly to GDP by space activities generated a further €1.17 through supply chains and household spending.

The report highlights growing public investment since Portugal launched its Space 2030 strategy in 2018 and established the Portuguese Space Agency the following year.

Funding climbed from €55 million in 2018 to €135 million in 2024, not including defence-related expenditure.

The study also noted that Portugal had achieved a 102% industrial geo-return, a funding rule used by large international science and research organisations guaranteeing member countries get a share of industrial contracts roughly equal to their government spending, from the European Space Agency at the beginning of 2025, with Portuguese firms winning more than €110 million in industrial contracts between 2019 and 2025.

By 2024, the sector comprised more than 150 entities, including over 80 active companies, concentrated primarily in Lisbon, Coimbra and the Porto region.

According to the study, Portugal's key advantages include launch capability in the Azores, a well-established space law framework, and a strong pipeline of aerospace engineering talent.

‍

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.

‍