Congress Organizer | Abreu Events

ICCA Country & City Ranking 2025 Portugal rises to the top of the global meetings industry

Portugal is increasingly establishing itself as one of the world’s leading destinations for international congresses and association meetings. The latest ICCA Country & City Rankings 2025 confirm this momentum with record-breaking results, placing the country, and particularly Lisbon, at the center of the global MICE industry landscape.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association, Lisbon secured the #1 position worldwide among cities hosting international association meetings and congresses in 2025, with a total of 188 qualifying events.

The Portuguese capital surpassed traditionally dominant destinations in the sector, including Paris, with 174 congresses, and Barcelona, with 166.

But this achievement goes far beyond a position in an international ranking.

It reflects the growing confidence of the international scientific, academic, and association communities in Portugal as a destination fully prepared to host knowledge-sharing, innovation, collaboration, and world-class global events.

Portugal strengthens its position among the world’s leading destinations
Portugal’s national performance also reinforces this upward trajectory. The country climbed to 8th place worldwide among the nations hosting the highest number of international congresses, consolidating its presence among the leading global destinations in the MICE segment – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.

Out of the 356 congresses counted in Portugal for the ICCA 2025 ranking, more than half took place in Lisbon, highlighting the capital’s strategic role in the country’s international positioning.

At the same time, Porto continues to strengthen its international relevance, reaching 25th place in the ICCA city rankings, clearly demonstrating Portugal’s increasingly robust, diversified, and competitive offering.

These results are no coincidence.

They are the outcome of a highly qualified ecosystem supported by modern infrastructures, strong international air connectivity, hospitality excellence, renowned gastronomy, safety, favorable weather conditions, and internationally recognized organizational expertise.

Congresses that generate real impact
Most congresses hosted in Lisbon focused on the medical, scientific, and technology sectors, areas particularly relevant for fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration.

Throughout 2025, these events attracted more than 100,000 international participants to the city, with an estimated average expenditure of approximately €3,000 per attendee, generating a significant and sustained economic impact throughout the year.

The congresses took place across hotels, convention centers, universities, and specialized venues throughout the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, demonstrating the destination’s ability to host events of different scales and complexities.

More than business tourism, these are events that drive the economy, promote research, strengthen international networks, and position Portugal as a global hub for knowledge and innovation.

The role of PCOs in Portugal’s international growth
Behind these results lies the continuous and coordinated work of multiple stakeholders across the industry: convention bureaux, scientific associations, universities, public entities, institutional partners, and Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs).

At Abreu Events, we are proud to be part of this growth and to contribute daily to strengthening Portugal’s position within the international meetings and congress industry.

As a specialized PCO, we work closely with associations, scientific societies, universities, and national and international experts to deliver congresses that combine strategic thinking, operational excellence, innovation, and impactful participant experiences.

Because organizing an international congress goes far beyond logistics.

It requires strategic vision, multidisciplinary coordination, deep expertise in the association meetings sector, international engagement capabilities, and a constant commitment to excellence.

Every successful congress contributes to strengthening Portugal’s international reputation, attracting new opportunities, and consolidating the country’s position among the global leaders of the MICE industry.

A collective achievement shaping the future

The ICCA rankings are widely recognized as one of the most important benchmarks in the international association meetings industry, evaluating only congresses that meet rigorous criteria regarding international rotation, frequency, and in-person participation.

For this reason, Lisbon’s global leadership and Portugal’s continued growth represent a particularly significant achievement for the entire industry.

This recognition has been built collectively by the entire national meetings and events ecosystem.

And above all, it sends a clear message: Portugal continues to grow as a destination of excellence for bringing together people, science, innovation, and knowledge on a global scale.