Portugal Digital Strategy: 10 measures for people and businesses

Portugal has taken another step forward in its digital transformation. The Council of Ministers has approved the Portugal Digital Strategy (PDS) Action Plan for 2026–2027, with the aim of establishing Portugal as one of the most innovative and digitally advanced European countries by 2030.

The Action Plan outlines a series of concrete measures to accelerate the modernisation of the state, strengthen business competitiveness, and ensure that all citizens can benefit from the digital transition in an inclusive, sustainable, and ethical manner.

Three complementary instruments were also presented within the framework of this strategy: the Portugal Digital Strategy Action Plan, the National Artificial Intelligence Agenda and the Digital Skills Pact.

What is the Portugal Digital Strategy

A priority of the XXV Constitutional Government Programme, the Portugal Digital Strategy defines Portugal’s vision for the digital decade. The objective is clear: to ensure that Portugal is among the top 10 European countries for digital transformation by 2030. This will be achieved through public policies that can respond to rapid technological change and the needs of citizens, businesses, and institutions.

The strategy is based on seven guiding principles:

• Security;
• Sustainability;
• Ethics;
• Inclusion;
• Trust;
• Efficiency;
• Collaboration.

Its implementation covers four fundamental dimensions: People, Businesses, the State, and Infrastructure.

10 measures with a direct impact

1. Business Digital Wallet
   Portugal is the first country in the European Union to provide this solution, which allows business owners to store all the documentation required for their business activities on a single digital device with European interoperability.

2. LicencIA – Licensing Simplification Platform
   This new artificial intelligence-based platform will act as a single entry point for urban, industrial and environmental licensing processes, significantly reducing response times.

3. Building Digital Wallet
   The Building Digital Wallet will make all documents associated with a property available in digital format, thereby simplifying the buying, selling, management and certification processes.

4. Mobile training and public service units
   Mobile teams will travel to different regions of the country, particularly inland areas, to support citizens who find it more difficult to access digital services.

5. Digital skills training for SMEs
   Specific programmes will be launched to equip small and medium-sized enterprises with digital and artificial intelligence skills, boosting their competitiveness.

6. Strengthening PhD scholarships in AI
   Increased investment in scientific research and advanced training to develop national talent in artificial intelligence.

7. Accelerated AI training in Public Administration
    Upskilling public sector workers to speed up the modernisation of public services and the integration of new technologies.

8. Sectoral AI Centres and an AI Centre of Excellence
   Specialised hubs will be created to promote the application of artificial intelligence in strategic sectors and in public administration.

9. AI startup acceleration programme
   Supporting the national innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to stimulate the creation of new, AI-driven technology companies.

10. Virtual Citizen’s Shop
    Initially, 225 public services will be available online and accessible 24 hours a day, including video call assistance. The goal is to digitise 100% of public services by 2030.

Targets for 2030

The Portugal Digital Strategy sets out clear objectives for the next decade:

• 90% of SMEs to be digitised;
• 80% of the population to have basic digital skills;
• Nationwide 5G coverage;
• 75% of businesses to use artificial intelligence and cloud services;
• 100% of public services to be available in digital format;
• 6 million users of the Digital Mobile Key.

The six strategic pillars of the Plan

The 2026–2027 Action Plan implements the Portugal Digital Strategy through 20 actions organised into six pillars:

1. Technological Reform of the State;
2. Data and Interoperability;
3. Digital Public Services;
4. Digital Economy and Regulation;
5. Digital Skills;
6. Artificial Intelligence.

Monitoring and funding

The implementation of the Plan will be supported by continuous monitoring mechanisms and biannual assessments of progress against the defined targets. Funding will primarily be provided through European funds, subject to budgetary availability.