CS’Associados plays a pivotal role in the financing, development and implementation of major infrastructure and energy projects in Portugal. A popular choice for both lenders and sponsors, the team stands out for its impressive track record in project finance, but is also adept at advising on tender offers, administrative law and public-private partnerships (PPPs) across the transport, healthcare, water and energy segments. Department co-head Maria Castelos, who is a reference in the market, predominantly works with sponsors. Fellow co-lead Duarte Brito de Goes boasts strong working relationships with local and international financial entities, who regularly turn to him for advice on complex project finance arrangements. Mafalda Ferreira advises sponsors and banks in connection with projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, while administrative law specialist André Salgado de Matos uses his regulatory knowledge to assist with infrastructure and energy projects.

Standing out for its wealth of experience in the financing and development of infrastructure and energy projects across Portugal and Lusophone Africa, the team at Linklaters offers comprehensive advice to a diverse range of clients, most notably financial entities and entities operating in the energy, road, rail, telecoms, healthcare, and water segments. Dual-qualified (Portugal, England and Wales) Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho, a leading authority in project finance and development, leads the practice which is often involved in PPPs, long-term contracting, M&A and regulatory matters. Maria de Athayde Tavares specialises in regulatory and administrative law, demonstrating substantial technical experience in PPPs, public procurement, as well as project development and finance matters.

Banks, sponsors, developers and public entities regularly turn to Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados for advice on the structuring, design, development, financing and construction of consequential infrastructure and energy projects. Filipe Lowndes Marques leads the finance wing of the department, focusing on the funding of renewable, natural resources and real estate projects. Fellow co-head Margarida Olazabal Cabral specialises in public procurement, while Catarina Brito Ferreira advises all major stakeholders on M&A and project development in the renewables segment. Other noteworthy practitioners include Filipa Morais Alçada, a key contact for project finance in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, and Cláudia Castanheira Dos Santos, a project finance specialist highly regarded for her work in transport, renewable energy, and real estate.

Led by Maria Zagallo, the team at PLMJ has a wealth of experience in the financing and development of projects in the transport, healthcare, and energy sectors. Practitioners ‘actively search for innovative solutions to the problems presented’ and are noted for their capabilities in public procurement, PPPs, concessions and regulatory issues. Zagallo possesses ‘experience in both the private and public sector’, with a particular focus on matters related to motorways, ports, and railways. Diogo Perestrelo, a ‘reference in the national legal market’, is noted for his expertise in M&A and investments in regulated sectors, while Joana Brandão is recognised for her work in energy, infrastructure and real estate projects. Former co-head Inês Pinto da Costa left the firm in October 2024.

Combining complementary expertise in public law and banking and finance, the ‘well-prepared and attentive’ projects team at Uría Menéndez adopts a multidisciplinary approach to handle the full spectrum of project-related matters. This includes project finance and development, concessions, dispute resolution and M&A involving regulated assets. The group is led by administrative law expert Bernardo Diniz de Ayala, who stands out for his expertise in project finance and public law. The practice also features João Louro e Costa, a name to note for mandates in the transport and energy sectors,  and the ‘studious and detail-oriented’ Gonçalo Andrade e Sousa, who frequently advises clients involving in project development and M&A in the infrastructure and utilities segments.

A popular choice for lenders, sponsors and operators, VdA is a point of reference for the development and financing of significant infrastructure projects in Portugal and African Portuguese-speaking countries. Manuel Protásio, a project finance specialist, leads a team of ‘high-quality professionals who combine excellent technical skills with a broad business vision’. Vanda Cascão works predominantly on the development side, with a particular focus on energy, water and infrastructure projects both in Portugal and abroad. Teresa Empis Falcão leverages her government experience to advise on PPPs and privatisation procedures. Paulo de Barros Baptista stands out for his longstanding experience in project development and knowledge of the transport sector, while Ana Luís de Sousa focuses on the implementation of energy projects.

Praised by clients as one of the ‘best and most qualified teams working on energy projects in Portugal’, Abreu Advogados is equipped to advise on projects in the transport, natural resources, conventional and renewable energy sectors in Portugal and in Lusophone jurisdictions. The department, which is jointly managed by Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues and Mafalda Teixeira de Abreu, showcases a strong aptitude for procurement, project finance, development and regulatory work. Rodrigues leverages his corporate background to bring a multidisciplinary approach to managing project development and finance matters, playing a key role in the firm’s expansion into the renewables market. Abreu is a public contracting specialist, recognised for her work in the transport sector.

The team at CMS predominantly assists private sector clients - including financiers, transport concessionaires and multinational energy companies - with project development and finance matters involving Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries. Co-head Mónica Carneiro Pacheco is a reference in the renewable energy market. Alongside her, the team is led by António Payan Martins, who specialises in project finance, particularly in the infrastructure sector; and Alberto Galhardo Simões, who heads the Lusophone Africa team, advises on projects in the infrastructure, mining and power sectors.

Singled out for its 'for its professionalism, availability and in-depth knowledge', Cuatrecasas acts for an array of clients - most notably lenders and sponsors - in sophisticated project finance and development matters, tender procedures, and concessions across the transport, energy, and healthcare segments. Co-head Margarida Leal de Oliveira  ‘knows the sector like few others’, and oversees project finance mandates. Banking and finance specialist Manuel Requicha Ferreira, who is experienced in the refinancing of projects in the energy and mining sectors, and administrative law expert Lourenço Vilhena De Freitas jointly lead the team with Oliveira.

The ‘competent and professional’ team at public law powerhouse Sérvulo & Associados focuses on advising public entities on tender procedures, procurement and public concession agreements. The team has an impressive track record in multijurisdictional matters, often advising on projects in Angola and Mozambique. Mark Kirkby acts for public and private sector clients in concessions and PPPs, with particular emphasis on the road and rail sectors. He oversees the practice with Francisca Mendes da Costa, who was promoted to equity partner in July 2024, and is especially active in the healthcare segment. Ana Luísa Guimarães  left in Febuary 2024.

Standing out for its ‘technical competence and attention to detail’, the team at SRS Legal is well placed to advise on concession agreements, PPPs, privatisations, M&A involving regulated assets and project negotiations. The group acts for a varied client roster, which features government entities, municipal authorities, and private equity firms, among others. José Luís Moreira da Silva is an ‘experienced lawyer’ who focuses on the transport and energy sectors, while Alexandra Valente leads the project finance division.

DLA Piper ABBC  acts for a diverse client base, including companies from the financial services, energy, real estate, transport, chemicals, and heavy industry sectors, across a broad spectrum of project matters. The firm showcases particular expertise in mandates involving Lusophone jurisdictions. Nuno Azevedo Neves oversees the practice, where André Duarte Figueira, an arrival from Cuatrecasas in October 2023, is the name to note for international projects in the infrastructure and energy spaces, with a special focus on Angola.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is active in both project development and financing mandates within the construction, transport and water sectors, acting for municipal authorities, financial institutions and private sector entities. Department co-head Ana Luísa Guimarães  joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024, and focuses on PPPs, concessions and projects in highly regulated sectors, including water, waste and mobility. Mafalda Barreto oversees finance work, while Ricardo Campos is skilled in administrative law, regulatory issues and construction matters.

Raposo Bernardo advises on large-scale projects in the infrastructure, energy and construction sectors. The team is proficient in public procurement, PPPs and project finance. The ‘brilliant’ Nelson Raposo Bernardo, who brings together expertise in M&A, project development and finance, leads the group alongside Joana Andrade Correia, a key contact for projects in the transport sector.

TELLES fields a team of ‘dedicated professionals’ specialised in the development and implementation of large-scale projects, particularly in the energy sector. Led by Ivone Rocha, the department is equipped to support lenders, developers and sponsors on day-to-day legal issues, as well as regulatory and contractual matters. Rocha possesses considerable experience in advising public and private entities on the development of renewable energy projects.