Braga Stands Out Among the Cities with the Best Strategy for Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Europe, According to the Financial Times’ fDi Strategy Ranking of Cities of the Future

The Financial Times published, on Thursday, February 13, the Cities of the Future ranking, in which Braga once again stands out, securing 2nd place in the category dedicated to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy among cities with a population between 100,000 and 350,000 inhabitants.

Since 2020, Braga has consistently been recognized in this international ranking for its ability to attract FDI, positioning itself among the top 10 small European cities with the best performance in FDI attraction. Braga's strategy, which had previously been ranked 5th and 7th in past years, has enabled the city to attract high-value FDI consistently and continuously. This track record has placed the city on the podium for the past three years, reaching 1st place among small cities in Europe in 2023 and maintaining 2nd place in both 2024 and 2025, according to the prestigious fDi Intelligence ranking.

Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga and President of InvestBraga, considers this recognition to be further evidence of the "success of the work carried out, especially by InvestBraga, in recent years in attracting investment to the municipality, fostering value creation and qualified employment."

The mayor also emphasizes that "Braga's international recognition, driven by the city’s participation in key global city networks, has, in recent years, enabled it to attract investments from various multinational companies. Braga’s consistent presence at the top of this ranking highlights the importance of promoting our competitive advantages internationally, which has sparked interest from major multinationals that establish themselves in the municipality and generate new jobs, particularly in technological and innovative sectors."

Notable companies that have set up operations in Braga include Bosch Car Multimedia, Aptiv, Nestlé Business Services, Mercedes Benz.io, Critical Techworks, Deloitte, NTT Data, Accenture, Fujitsu, PTW, Fiducial, Uphold, Checkmarx, Eurofins, Nu Boyana, Innovayt, and Ciellos. Additionally, Braga is home to internationally renowned companies that originated in the region, such as CASAIS, DST, Três60, Navarra, ETMA, Promecel, Garden Gate, and Fehst Componentes, operating in engineering, energy, and construction. In the technology sector, standout companies include F3M, Edigma, Eurotux, Outsystems, and Cegid (the multinational that acquired Primavera and Eticadata), as well as Mobileum - Active Intelligence (which incorporated WeDo Technologies), among others. These companies, from Braga, develop solutions for some of the most demanding international markets.

Carlos Silva, Executive Board Member of InvestBraga, highlights that "this recognition is the result of a development strategy defined in 2014, when the Municipality of Braga and its economic development agency, InvestBraga, in collaboration with major companies operating from Braga for the international market, knowledge centers, universities, R&D centers, and other key stakeholders in regional development, formulated a Strategic Plan for Braga’s Economic Development for the 2014-2026 period. This close relationship between companies and these entities, along with the effective implementation of the strategic actions defined in this plan, has enabled the city to consolidate a robust and dynamic business and innovation ecosystem. This success was recently acknowledged by the European Innovation Council, which awarded Braga the title of European Rising Innovative City at the 2025 iCapital Awards."

Gil Carvalho, Director of Economic Promotion and Investment Attraction at InvestBraga, adds that "Braga's business ecosystem is currently strong in knowledge, innovation, and talent, further establishing the city as a prime location for hosting high-value international projects. Braga's distinction in this ranking serves as an incentive to continue working with all stakeholders in our region, creating the value and expertise necessary to attract and retain major international investments and talent."

Braga will once again be present at the awards ceremony, which will take place on March 11 during the European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 Awards Ceremony in Cannes, France. This event, held alongside MIPIM - The Global Urban Festival, will provide an opportunity to share knowledge and opportunities with the representatives of other recognized cities that have also been distinguished for the excellence of their development strategies.