Santarém reports 31% growth in new businesses

The municipality of Santarém has seen a 31% increase in new business registrations during the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This growth occurs despite a 3.2% national decline in new company formations in Portugal. The Oeste e Vale do Tejo region also bucked the national trend with a 1.7% increase in business creation.

Growth was primarily driven by the construction sector, which saw a 13% rise, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which grew by 5.6%.

In addition to business growth, Santarém has established a Municipal Tourism Council. This body brings together 29 entities from sectors including hospitality, catering, heritage, and enotourism to coordinate local tourism strategies. The initiative follows a significant rise in overnight stays, which increased by 30.6% in 2024 compared to 2019 levels. Municipal priorities include improving tourist information, heritage access, and urban revitalization projects such as the Centro Vivo 2025-2035 program.