Bilateral relationship

Australia and Portugal first established diplomatic relations in 1960 and celebrated 60 years of bilateral relations in 2020. Australia and Portugal are like-minded countries and cooperate on a range of shared priorities, particularly in multilateral institutions.

Bilateral trade and economic ties will develop further following the signing of a new tax treaty, the Convention between Australia and the Portuguese Republic for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance in November 2023.

Foreign policy

Portugal is a parliamentary democratic republic, with a President as Head of State and Prime Minister as Head of Government. Portugal also has autonomous regions, the islands of Azores and Madeira, which have administrative autonomy and their own governmental bodies, and regional governments directly elected by the citizens of these regions.

The European Union (EU) is at the heart of Portuguese foreign and economic policies. Portugal has held the rotating six-monthly Presidency of the European Council on four occasions: in 1992, 2000, 2007, and most recently in the first half of 2021. Portugal participates in the EU foreign policy agenda, particularly in relation to its former colonies in Africa, Latin America and Asia (Timor-Leste and Macau). Portugal is a founding member of NATO and places a high priority on  strong transatlantic relationship. Portugal also maintains cooperation and friendship links with other Portuguese-speaking countries through the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The CPLP's Executive-Secretariat is based in Lisbon.

The former colony of Timor-Leste remains an important foreign policy focus for Portugal. Portugal did not recognise the 1975 annexation of what was then Portuguese Timor by Indonesia and pursued the cause of East Timorese independence in international forums for many years. Since the 1999 referendum that resulted in Timorese independence, Portugal has engaged closely in supporting Timor-Leste's development, education and security. Australia and Portugal have a shared commitment to the long-term stability and prosperity of Timor-Leste.

Fast Facts

Portuguese visitors to Australia (2022)

4,610

Australian resident returns from Portugal (2022)

14,290

Resident Australian population born in Portugal (2021 census)

17,050

Australian residents of Portuguese descent (2021 census)

73,903

Portuguese working holidaymakers (2022)

289

Portuguese students in Australia (2022)

501

High-level engagement

• November 2023 – Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry Conroy met with Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs João Gomes Cravinho at the Pacific Islands Forum in the Cook Islands.
• July 2023 – Prime Minister Albanese met with then Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
• June 2022 - Minister for the Environment Plibersek met with Portuguese Minister of the Economy and Maritime Affairs António Costa Silva at the UN Oceans Conference in Lisbon.
• March 2019 – Prime Minister Albanese (then Leader of the Opposition) met with Portuguese then State Secretary for Communities, José Luis Carneiro during a visit to Lisbon.
• March 2017 - President of the Portuguese trade promotion agency AICEP Miguel Frasquilho visited Sydney and Melbourne.
• May 2012 - Then President of Portugal Aníbal Cavaco Silva visited Australia.

Agreements with Portugal

Australia and Portugal signed a double taxation agreement in Lisbon on 30 November 2023. This is the first tax treaty between the two nations. Australia and Portugal signed a work and holiday visa arrangement in September 2014, which came into effect in November 2014. Australia and Portugal signed a bilateral social security agreement in September 2001, which entered into force in 2002.

Texts of bilateral agreements are available at the Australian Treaties Database.

Economic diplomacy

Australia and Portugal enjoy a modest but growing economic relationship. In the period 2018-2023, two-way trade grew by 58 per cent. In 2023, two-way goods and services trade was valued at $835 million, with the balance of trade weighted in Portugal’s favour. Australia’s principal exports to Portugal that year were education-related travel and civil engineering equipment and parts. Major imports from Portugal that year were passenger motor vehicles and medicaments (including veterinary). In 2023, total stock of Australian investment in Portugal was valued at $1,201 million while Portuguese investment in Australia was valued at $404 million.

More information about trade and investment [PDF]

Australian Embassy in Lisbon

Avenida da Liberdade, 200, 2nd Floor
1250-147 Lisbon, Portugal 
Ph: +351 21 310 1500
Email: Lisbon.Embassy@dfat.gov.au

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Travel

See Smartraveller for Information on travelling to Portugal.