Braga is located in the northwest of mainland Portugal. Founded in 16 BC. as Bracara Augusta in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus, it has a very rich history while having a techological, creative, innovative, dynamic and open environment, considered by many the Portuguese Silicon Valley.
Why Braga?
1st Prize
FDI Strategy in Europe
In February 2023, Braga was awarded at the European Cities and Regions of the Future prizes from FDi Intelligence - Financial Times, 1st prize in small cities to attract foreign investment.
Multicultural
City
Braga has residents from 118 citizenships with over 20 thousand foreigners living at the city.
Universidade do Minho
in Braga
Among the top 150 in the world in one of the most prestigious international rankings, the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, with over 200 patents registered and 32 Research centers.
A university that adds value to the city and attracts technological companies by the availability of qualified labor.
Winner
2021 World Mayor Sustainability Award
Ricardo Rio, the Mayor of Braga, was awarded this distinction for his effort to achieve the Development Goals of the Sustainability (SDGs) at local and regional level in the EU out of 10,000 local authorities from 61 countries.
The youngest city
in Portugal
More than 40% of Braga's population is under 30 years old and 68% is in working age.
Great geografical position
regarding infrastructures
Braga has 2 international airports at less than 1h away (one in Porto, Portugal, another one in Vigo, Spain), 3 cargo ports (Leixões and Viana do Castelo in Portugal and Vigo in Spain) to a maximum oh 1h30. It is well served by highways and railways.
It is home to the
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
A unique project in the world that results of collaboration between the Portuguese and Spanish governments that has 426 researchers from 37 countries working daily in Nanoelectronics Engineering; Life Science; Quantum & Energy Materials; Nanophotonics; Advanced Eletron Microscopy Imaging and Spectroscopy e Micro and Nanofabrication projects.
4th biggest exporting region
in Portugal
With a vibrant business environment, exports from Braga have grown 224% in the last 10 years, creating around 2 thousand new jobs every year.
Part of several international cities networks
EUROCITIES
The largest European network of cities, with a secretariat in Brussels, created to promote economic, political and social development in member cities.
Michelin Cities
Created in 2014, the network has 39 Cities from 20 Countries, from the United States to China, Thailand to Spain, Italy to Canada.
European Youth Capitals
Braga is founder of the European Youth Capital Network, created with the aim of enhancing the promotion of youth policies by developing a cooperative and sustainable network of cities that were once European Youth Capitals.
URBAN ECONOMY FORUM
Braga is the only Portuguese city that integrates this international organization, which connects the United Nations system, city leaders and the private sector leading the global dialogue on sustainable urban resources.
City Climate Leadership in Action
With the end of COP26, a new generation of cities has emerged that are leading the way on climate change. 122 cities made the 2022 A List, including Braga, as bold leaders in transparency and environmental action.
Creative Cities Network
The Creative Cities Network, made up of 246 cities from around the world, has seven creative fields: literature, film, music, crafts and popular art, design, arts and media, and gastronomy. Braga is a UNESCO Creative City in the area of Media Arts since 2017.