Israel–Portugal relations
Bilateral relations
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History
Israel and Portugal established full diplomatic relations on 12 May 1977,[1] while Israel already had a diplomatic mission in Lisbon in the Consulate-General level which was later upgraded to embassy level. The Estado Novo did not recognize Israel, and only after the Portuguese revolution of 1974 did Portugal recognize Israel and establish a relationship.[2] Since 1991, Portugal has had an embassy in Tel Aviv.[3]
Even without relationship, Portugal allowed the United States of America airplanes to stop in the Azores Islands on the way to Israel as part of Operation Nickel Grass to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.[4]
Since 1994 both Israeli and Portuguese nationals do not need visas to visit each other.[5]
On 25 September 2006, Israel and Portugal signed an Avidness double taxation agreement which entered into force on 31 December 2007.[6]
In February 2025, Portuguese foreign minister Paulo Rangel visited Israel and reiterated Portugal's condemnation of Hamas's October 7 attacks against Israel, while voicing criticism of the "disproportionate" Israeli response during the Gaza war.[7]
On 21 September 2025, Portugal officially recognised the state of Palestine, alongside Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.[8]
Trade
Israel and Portugal trade is also influenced by the EU–Israel Free Trade Agreement of 1995.[9][10]
| Israel–Portugal trade in millions USD-$[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Israel imports
|
 Portugal imports
|
Total trade value | |
| 2023 | 338.9 | 135 | 473.9 |
| 2022 | 485 | 111.8 | 596.8 |
| 2021 | 405.8 | 79.3 | 485.1 |
| 2020 | 297.4 | 77 | 374.4 |
| 2019 | 247.6 | 98 | 345.6 |
| 2018 | 231.3 | 148.5 | 379.8 |
| 2017 | 210.8 | 107.9 | 318.7 |
| 2016 | 152.8 | 106.9 | 259.7 |
| 2015 | 113.6 | 113.2 | 226.8 |
| 2014 | 106.2 | 141.4 | 247.6 |
| 2013 | 120.7 | 122.5 | 243.2 |
| 2012 | 128.8 | 145.4 | 274.2 |
| 2011 | 147 | 126.7 | 273.7 |
| 2010 | 95 | 104.1 | 199.1 |
| 2009 | 100.1 | 111.3 | 211.4 |
| 2008 | 114.2 | 98.9 | 213.1 |
| 2007 | 126.2 | 90.9 | 217.1 |
| 2006 | 87.2 | 88.7 | 175.9 |
| 2005 | 77.9 | 73.3 | 151.2 |
| 2004 | 70.1 | 76.1 | 146.2 |
| 2003 | 66.4 | 49.5 | 115.9 |
| 2002 | 69.8 | 43.5 | 113.3 |
