Bilateral relationship
Australia and Portugal first established diplomatic relations in 1960 and celebrate 65 years of bilateral relations in 2025.
The bilateral relationship between Australia and Portugal maintains good momentum. Portugal is an active member of EU, OECD, NATO and UN institutions, and our views align on key issues such as Ukraine, human rights, climate and non-proliferation. 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 serving as Head of State and a Prime Minister as Head of Government. The unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) comprises 230 members elected through proportional representation. Portugal’s foreign policy remains anchored in constitutional provisions, with the executive maintaining strategic continuity.
Portugal includes two autonomous regions, the Azores and Madeira, which enjoy administrative autonomy and have their own elected regional governments.
Portugal’s foreign and economic policy is deeply integrated with the EU. While its most recent Presidency of the Council of the EU was in 2021, Portugal continues to contribute actively to EU initiatives, particularly in digital transformation, energy security, and defence cooperation.
Portugal also maintains strong ties with Portuguese-speaking countries through the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), headquartered in Lisbon. In 2025 Australia’s application for observer status within the CPLP was approved. Defence cooperation within the CPLP has expanded in recent years, with increased capacity-building and interoperability among member states.
Timor-Leste remains a central focus of Portuguese foreign policy. Portugal never recognised Indonesia’s 1975 annexation and was instrumental in advocating for Timor-Leste’s independence. In October 2024, Portugal and Timor-Leste signed a Strategic Cooperation Programme (2024–2028), committing €75 million to support development across five key areas: human development, governance, public administration, youth employment, and sustainability.
Australia and Portugal share a commitment to Timor-Leste’s long-term stability and prosperity, particularly in areas of education, security, and economic development.
Trade and investment
Australia and Portugal enjoy a modest but growing economic relationship. In 2024, two-way goods and services trade was valued at $788.8 million, with the balance of trade weighted in Portugal’s favour. Australia’s principal exports to Portugal that year were education-related travel and recreational travel. Major imports from Portugal that year were passenger motor vehicles and recreational travel. In the same year, total stock of Australian investment in Portugal was valued at $1.3 billion while Portuguese investment in Australia was valued at $279 million.
More information about trade and investment [PDF 271 KB]
Fast Facts
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Portuguese visitors to Australia (2022)
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4,610
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Australian resident returns from Portugal (2022)
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14,290
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Resident Australian population born in Portugal (2024 census)
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18,190
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Australian residents of Portuguese descent (2021 census)
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73,903
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Portuguese working holidaymakers (2024)
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590
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Portuguese students in Australia (2024)
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588
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.
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
Travel
See Smartraveller for Information on travelling to Portugal.