The international reputation of the Portuguese footwear industry continues to consolidate, with a growing number of foreign brands openly stating that they manufacture in Portugal.
In recent years, several international labels—particularly in the luxury segment - have highlighted Portuguese production as part of their value proposition, associating it with quality, production flexibility, and technical know-how. At the same time, many emerging brands are also embracing "Made in Portugal” as a non-negotiable element.
The Danish brand Carciami, for example, presents its models as "designed in Copenhagen, handcrafted in Portugal,” combining Scandinavian design with Portuguese manufacturing. Similarly, the Spanish brand John Tweed Tailored identifies the Portuguese origin of production in several of its loafer models, reinforcing the link between Portugal and high-quality classic footwear. In the contemporary segment, Avrego also states that its shoes are handcrafted in the north of the country.
Other international brands have followed the same path. The British label Duke & Dexter, known for its contemporary loafers, produces a significant share of its collections in Portugal, highlighting the quality of local manufacturing. Swedish brand Axel Arigato, widely recognized in the premium sneaker segment, also relies on Portuguese factories for some of its footwear lines, valuing both proximity to European markets and the technical capabilities of the national industry. It has even recently shot a campaign in Portugal.
Among emerging brands, Filling Pieces, focused on minimalist-inspired footwear - also offers models produced in Portugal, reinforcing the country’s presence in the production chains of new European brands.
"The choice of Portugal is not accidental. The national industry has developed highly specialized expertise in the production of high-quality footwear,” says Paulo Gonçalves. According to the Executive Director of APICCAPS, "proximity to key European markets, the ability to produce shorter runs, and an increasing focus on sustainability have strengthened the country’s attractiveness among international brands.” In practical terms, "at a time when many companies are seeking shorter and more reliable supply chains, Portugal is increasingly seen as a competitive alternative to mass production.”
This trend reinforces Portugal’s position as one of Europe’s leading hubs for high value-added footwear production, in an industry that is strongly export-oriented and increasingly recognized for its design, quality, and innovation capabilities.
For Sérgio Cunha, "the recognition of ‘Made in Portugal’ by major international brands is no longer a promise - it is now a clear reality on the global stage.” The CEO of Nobrand adds that "the growing appreciation of this origin by leading brands is a strong sign of confidence in the country’s quality, craftsmanship, and production capabilities. More than an isolated movement, this shift may act as a true catalyst, paving the way for other international labels to follow and to explicitly integrate ‘Made in Portugal’ into their positioning and communication.”
The head of the Máximo Internacional group further argues that "Portugal is now synonymous with quality and added value- attributes increasingly recognized by major international brands. In these segments, price is no longer the main criterion, creating room for greater appreciation of fast response, proximity, and the level of service that the Portuguese industry can offer.” As a result, "today, a shoe takes longer to reach the box. This reflects more stages of care and attention than in the past,” he explains.
In fact, Sérgio Cunha continues, "the sector also stands out for the care invested in each pair, in a more time-intensive process built on attention to detail and genuine craftsmanship. In this sense, it is essential to make ‘Made in Portugal’ more visible and unequivocal, ensuring that this origin is immediately associated with quality.”
For Alexandre Pimenta, this is "a natural consequence of the work that has been carried out. Today, many brands are discovering that Portugal is not just a production country, but a development country -one that provides valuable input to enhance both the creative and production processes.”
According to the CEO of Solpré, "Portugal is now positioned as a partner of excellence for high value-added footwear, supported by long-standing expertise and a highly specialized ecosystem that is increasingly prepared to meet the demands of short runs and the luxury segment.” This is complemented by "remarkable flexibility and speed of development, enabling close collaboration with brands—from prototyping to production. Strong vertical integration, with many companies concentrating several stages of the process in-house, ensures rigorous quality control. At the same time, a commitment to sustainability and value chain transparency responds to growing demands for traceability and compliance. Finally, geographical and cultural proximity to key markets, combined with a highly competitive price-quality ratio, positions Portugal as a strategic alternative among the world’s major production hubs,” he explains.
António Ferreira notes that "the work carried out is delivering results.” The head of Bolfex believes that "the quality and service provided by the Portuguese footwear industry are clear advantages for international brands seeking reliable partners capable of delivering quickly and at high standards.” Naturally, he adds, "Portugal can benefit from current geopolitical shifts, as it becomes a geographically closer partner for international luxury brands.”
In recent years, several international labels—particularly in the luxury segment - have highlighted Portuguese production as part of their value proposition, associating it with quality, production flexibility, and technical know-how. At the same time, many emerging brands are also embracing "Made in Portugal” as a non-negotiable element.
The Danish brand Carciami, for example, presents its models as "designed in Copenhagen, handcrafted in Portugal,” combining Scandinavian design with Portuguese manufacturing. Similarly, the Spanish brand John Tweed Tailored identifies the Portuguese origin of production in several of its loafer models, reinforcing the link between Portugal and high-quality classic footwear. In the contemporary segment, Avrego also states that its shoes are handcrafted in the north of the country.
Other international brands have followed the same path. The British label Duke & Dexter, known for its contemporary loafers, produces a significant share of its collections in Portugal, highlighting the quality of local manufacturing. Swedish brand Axel Arigato, widely recognized in the premium sneaker segment, also relies on Portuguese factories for some of its footwear lines, valuing both proximity to European markets and the technical capabilities of the national industry. It has even recently shot a campaign in Portugal.
Among emerging brands, Filling Pieces, focused on minimalist-inspired footwear - also offers models produced in Portugal, reinforcing the country’s presence in the production chains of new European brands.
"The choice of Portugal is not accidental. The national industry has developed highly specialized expertise in the production of high-quality footwear,” says Paulo Gonçalves. According to the Executive Director of APICCAPS, "proximity to key European markets, the ability to produce shorter runs, and an increasing focus on sustainability have strengthened the country’s attractiveness among international brands.” In practical terms, "at a time when many companies are seeking shorter and more reliable supply chains, Portugal is increasingly seen as a competitive alternative to mass production.”
This trend reinforces Portugal’s position as one of Europe’s leading hubs for high value-added footwear production, in an industry that is strongly export-oriented and increasingly recognized for its design, quality, and innovation capabilities.
For Sérgio Cunha, "the recognition of ‘Made in Portugal’ by major international brands is no longer a promise - it is now a clear reality on the global stage.” The CEO of Nobrand adds that "the growing appreciation of this origin by leading brands is a strong sign of confidence in the country’s quality, craftsmanship, and production capabilities. More than an isolated movement, this shift may act as a true catalyst, paving the way for other international labels to follow and to explicitly integrate ‘Made in Portugal’ into their positioning and communication.”
The head of the Máximo Internacional group further argues that "Portugal is now synonymous with quality and added value- attributes increasingly recognized by major international brands. In these segments, price is no longer the main criterion, creating room for greater appreciation of fast response, proximity, and the level of service that the Portuguese industry can offer.” As a result, "today, a shoe takes longer to reach the box. This reflects more stages of care and attention than in the past,” he explains.
In fact, Sérgio Cunha continues, "the sector also stands out for the care invested in each pair, in a more time-intensive process built on attention to detail and genuine craftsmanship. In this sense, it is essential to make ‘Made in Portugal’ more visible and unequivocal, ensuring that this origin is immediately associated with quality.”
For Alexandre Pimenta, this is "a natural consequence of the work that has been carried out. Today, many brands are discovering that Portugal is not just a production country, but a development country -one that provides valuable input to enhance both the creative and production processes.”
According to the CEO of Solpré, "Portugal is now positioned as a partner of excellence for high value-added footwear, supported by long-standing expertise and a highly specialized ecosystem that is increasingly prepared to meet the demands of short runs and the luxury segment.” This is complemented by "remarkable flexibility and speed of development, enabling close collaboration with brands—from prototyping to production. Strong vertical integration, with many companies concentrating several stages of the process in-house, ensures rigorous quality control. At the same time, a commitment to sustainability and value chain transparency responds to growing demands for traceability and compliance. Finally, geographical and cultural proximity to key markets, combined with a highly competitive price-quality ratio, positions Portugal as a strategic alternative among the world’s major production hubs,” he explains.
António Ferreira notes that "the work carried out is delivering results.” The head of Bolfex believes that "the quality and service provided by the Portuguese footwear industry are clear advantages for international brands seeking reliable partners capable of delivering quickly and at high standards.” Naturally, he adds, "Portugal can benefit from current geopolitical shifts, as it becomes a geographically closer partner for international luxury brands.”