Portugal is already home to more than 550,000 Brazilians living legally in the country, and this number is steadily growing. For many immigrants, crossing the Atlantic represents not only a search for a better quality of life but also a fresh start as entrepreneurs. In a stable business environment, with a common language and strong cultural ties, franchising has become one of the most structured and secure ways to start a business.
In this expanding scenario, companies like Grupo NBrand, the country’s largest franchise conglomerate, offer business opportunities in professional cleaning, home care for the elderly, architecture, interior design, and real estate. With over 200 units in operation, half of its franchisees are Brazilian—numbers that reflect confidence in the business model’s strength and the support provided by the group.
“Portugal is an excellent gateway for Brazilians looking to start a business securely. Franchising provides structure, market validation, and full support, which makes all the difference in this transition. Brazilians are arriving increasingly prepared, focused, and ready to thrive,” says Cândido Mesquita, CEO and founder of Grupo NBrand and vice-president of APF.
Real stories of transformation
According to the latest data released by the Portuguese Franchise Association (APF), in 2023, the franchise sector in Portugal generated €22 billion, achieving record growth of nearly 30% compared to 2022. The association also reports that this strong performance represents 8.3% of the national GDP and creates over 185,000 jobs across various business segments.
Fernanda and Daniel Correia are real examples of Brazilian entrepreneurs leading this sector transformation. The couple left Brazil and invested in a House Shine unit—a professional home cleaning franchise—in the city of Leiria. In three years, the business has already reached €340,000 in revenue and established itself as a regional reference.
“We discovered the brand through a franchise portal and saw it as an opportunity to start with structure and support. We certainly faced some initial challenges, such as labor and tax laws, which are different in Portugal. But today, we have stability, control, and a clear growth plan,” says Fernanda.
Another success story is Marcelo Barreto, who swapped a 35-year career in the Brazilian financial market for entrepreneurship in Coimbra. In 2023, he opened his Vangor unit, an interior design franchise, and generated €300,000 in revenue in 2024. Last July, Marcelo expanded his business by acquiring an Urban Obras unit, a franchise specialized in architecture and renovations, creating a synergistic operation between the two brands.
“The franchises complement each other and deliver more value to the customer. With Grupo NBrand’s support, I was able to structure the business quickly and build a new phase of my life,” explains Marcelo.
Affordable models and consistent returns
Grupo NBrand’s portfolio caters to different entrepreneur profiles. Initial investments start at €30,000, with payback periods ranging from 18 to 24 months. Here are some highlights:
· House Shine (professional home cleaning): investment from €35,000, average revenue of €14,000/month.
· House Comfort (home care for the elderly): investment between €30,000 and €40,000, average profitability of 25%.
· Vangor (interior design): initial investment of €40,500, expected return in up to two years.
· Urban Obras (architecture and renovations): investment of €41,500 and average revenue of €50,000/month.
All franchisees receive full support, including strategic consulting, business planning, proprietary CRM, lead generation, marketing campaigns, and ongoing operational follow-up.
“Our role goes beyond selling franchises. We work to ensure a safe transition for those who decide to start a business outside Brazil. That’s why we provide support from brand selection to daily operations,” says Cândido Mesquita. “Brazilians don’t start from scratch; they arrive with experience, purpose, and a desire to make a difference. And that’s what’s reshaping the future of entrepreneurship in Portugal,” he concludes.
