WHY INVEST IN AZORES?
ADVANTAGES OF INVESTING IN AZORES
There are many advantages available for those who decide to live or invest at Azores:
- Estrategic geographic location, where three continents – Europe, Africa and America — converge, boasting regular connections to major international cities.
- Mild climate for most of the year: there can be up to 3300 hours of sun in the southern part of the country and 1600 in the northern part, some of the highest numbers in Europe.
- A welcoming, friendly people, that speak various languages.
- A secular history rich in architectural heritage, not to mention wine and unmatched cuisine at very competitive prices
- Security and excellent quality of life: Azores is one of the peaceful region in the world.
- State-of-the-art infrastructures: according to the World Economic Forum, Portugal is the 12th country with best infrastructures (road and harbor) in the world.
- Highly qualified, productive and dedicated workforce.
- Residence permits for investors, entrepreneurs and highly qualified workers.
- Tax benefits available for non-habitual residents and many sectors of activity. Azores have one of the lowest Tax of Portugal and one of the Lowest Corporate Tax in the world.
- Incentive Schemes With Partnerships agreement between Portugal and the European Commission for the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds for the period 2020-2030 defines the principles and objectives of the economic, social and territorial development policy in the light of the Portugal 2030 and Azores 2030 – CONSTRUIR 2030 strategy for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Operated through many Programs, it provides an amount of billions euros to stimulate investments in the areas of Competitiveness and Internationalization, Social Inclusion and Employment, Human Capital and Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources, mobilizing and following direct incentives to business investment:
- Entrepreneurship Incentive Scheme – For innovative projects developed by SMEs under two years old, integrated in cultural and creative industries, sectors with greater intensity of technology and knowledge, or in sectors that value the application of R & D results in the production of new goods and services.
- Incentive Scheme for Productive Innovation – For innovative projects developed by SMEs or non SMEs that correspond to an initial investment and that translate into the production of tradable and internationable goods and services with a high level of national incorporation.
- Incentive Scheme for SME Qualification – For immaterial projects developed by SMEs in the area of competitiveness that aim at strengthening business capacity through organizational innovation.
- The Portuguese Islands of Azores offer a Unique Friendly Business Environment which provide one of the best competitive advantages in inteire Europe in several business areas, offering excellent opportunities of investment incentives. Including an attractive investment support system, employment support measures, competitive taxes and specific tax benefits. Due to its geographical location, the Azores has a proximity to the time zones of the European and American continents. The official time in the Azores differs only one hour from the United Kingdom, two hours from Germany, four hours from the East Coast of the USA and three hours from the East Coast of Brazil. This allows a continuous service to customers at lower costs.
- The Azores Islands are a world-leading regions regarding the good environmental practices and sustainability, while offering a climate of undeniable political and social stability and high levels of security. In the leadership in Renewable Energies, since a large percentage of energy production comes from renewable sources, being the national leader in geothermal production.
The abundance of good structural conditions and natural resources, the unique cultural and historical heritage in the world, visible on all Azores, Combined with authenticity, hospitality and quality of life, make the all region very attractive place in the world.