I am originally Polish but have some Nordic DNA due to a 17th-century Swedish invasion of my country. My mindset has been shaped by short summers, long winters, and lots of snow. Things did not get much different in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium where I spent most of my professional life, although I did get to change my snow jacket for a rain jacket in Brussels – for two decades. I arrived in Portugal in August 2021, full of energy, professionally active and carrying my usual A-type business vibe.
The first six months here felt like I had died and gone to heaven. I woke up to blue skies, and sunshine every day. I delighted in everything like a child; everything was beautiful. Occasionally, I had nightmares about being sent back to the North, but thankfully, they never came true. By early 2022, I was calling Portugal my ‘geographic soulmate’ and writing poetry (loveandlisbon.com) to express my love.
That was the first six months of my time here. Then… nothing changed. I am still as infatuated as I was three and a half years ago. I even love the A5 to Lisbon – a masterpiece compared to the soul-sucking Brussels ring road or the congested A661 around Frankfurt. I embrace Portugal’s imperfections the way you do when you love someone: with empathy.
Like many foreign businesspeople and indeed, like any ‘good’ foreigner living here – I want to contribute meaningfully to this country. With each passing day, I see more clearly Portugal’s enormous business potential, waiting to be awakened and expressed in ways that are relevant to both Iberia and the world. Here are a few ‘opportunity buckets’ I’ve identified:
AWAKENING THE SLEEPING TIGER OF EUROPE
My origin is Polish, but I have some Nordic DNA due to the Swedish invasion that occurred in my country in the 17th century. My personality was shaped by seeing short summers, long winters, and a lot of snow. The scenario did not change much when I was in Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, where I spent most of my professional life, although I switched my snow jacket for a rain jacket in Brussels – for two decades.
I arrived in Portugal in August 2021, full of energy, professionally active, and with my usual A-type business vibe. In the first six months, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Every day I woke up to a blue sky, and sunshine. I delighted in everything like a child; everything was beautiful. Occasionally, I had nightmares about being sent back to the North, but fortunately, they never came true. By early 2022, I was calling Portugal my ‘geographic soulmate’ and writing poems (loveandlisbon.com) to express my love.
That was the first six months of my time here. Then… nothing changed. I am still as infatuated as I was three and a half years ago. I even love the A5 to Lisbon – a masterpiece compared to the soul-sucking Brussels ring road or the congested A661 around Frankfurt. I accept Portugal’s imperfections the way you do when you love someone: with empathy.
Like many foreign businesspeople, and in fact, like any ‘good’ foreigner living here, I want to contribute meaningfully to this country. With each passing day, I see more clearly Portugal’s enormous entrepreneurial potential waiting to be awakened and expressed in ways that are relevant to the Iberian Peninsula and the world. These are some of the opportunities I’ve been able to identify:
A GLOBAL INNOVATION BRIDGE
Portugal has extraordinary potential to position itself as an innovation bridge connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. With its cultural and geographical advantages, it can become a hub for scaling, acceleration, and soft landing for businesses across continents. From green energy to ocean tech and life sciences, Portugal can be recognized for the cross-fertilization of trends, minds, and ideas, as well as being a cost-effective European gateway for R&D, serving as a launch pad for a wide range of industries.
As a leading business and innovation hub in Europe, Portugal could export transformative innovation to the world rather than exporting (and losing) the very talent that fuels its success. I want to, therefore, shout it from the rooftops: Portugal is Europe’s innovation and tech hub, open for global business!
A TALENT POWERHOUSE
Portugal has a rare and unique advantage in Europe: an extraordinary blend of human capital that could become a dynamic ecosystem fueling the country’s economic growth and impacting the world. This ‘melting pot’ consists of:
- Local talent: Portugal boasts some of the best-educated professionals in Europe, most of whom speak fluent English effortlessly.
- Foreign investors, expats, and entrepreneurs: Portugal consistently ranks as a top destination for wealthy expats, creating a vibrant and internationally connected community.
- The Portuguese diaspora: With over 2 million Portuguese living abroad, this global network offers invaluable skills and connections.
- Returning Portuguese executives and entrepreneurs: Accomplished Portuguese professionals are increasingly coming home, bringing back expertise, networks, and global perspectives.
A SUSTAINABLE SAFE HAVEN
For many expats, Portugal is already a sanctuary – a safe and welcoming place to raise a family, build a life, and protect wealth. With its unique position at the southwestern edge of Europe and expansive access to the Atlantic, Portugal has the potential to become even more: Europe’s geopolitical ‘safe-haven’ in times of uncertainty and upheaval.
To put this into perspective, consider this: my mother’s home in western Poland is roughly the same distance from Ukraine’s border as Porto is from Lisbon. The physical proximity to conflict is a stark reminder of how safety, even in Europe, cannot be taken for granted.
But Portugal’s promise extends beyond existential security. It holds the potential to serve as a global model for sustainability, diversity, and resilience. By embracing best practices in societal and technological transitions, Portugal could embody the forward-thinking adaptability needed to navigate the 21st century. As the world grows increasingly complex, Portugal’s role as a sustainable haven will only become more vital. By continuing to prioritize what truly matters – safety, community, and a thoughtful approach to progress – Portugal can serve not only as a refuge but also as a guiding light for other countries.
Portugal has given me so much – beauty, a home, a community, and a sense of belonging I never thought possible for a cynical, lifelong expat. I dream of seeing it evolve from the ‘Sleeping Tiger of Europe’ into the ‘Rising Star of Europe.’ No matter the pace, the challenges, or what the future may hold, I am committed to supporting it every step of the way.
