Linklaters is a popular destination for clients seeking advice on the financing and development of large-scale projects, covering acquisition finance, structured M&A, and long-term contracting. Standing out for its cross-border capabilities, the team’s expertise extends to both Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African jurisdictions. Francisco Ferraz De Carvalho, who leads the finance, energy, and infrastructure department, advises lenders, sponsors, and government entities on a variety of energy projects globally. Maria de Athayde Tavares specialises in public law, regulatory, and environmental matters, with a particular focus on the energy, infrastructure, and telecoms spaces. With a keen focus on regulated sectors like energy and infrastructure, Teresa Novo Faria has recently handles numerous financings of photovoltaic projects in the country.

PLMJ provides expert guidance to both Portuguese and international clients in project finance and development, covering a broad range of sectors from energy to healthcare. The team is under the leadership of Inês Pinto da Costa and Maria Zagallo, with Pinto da Costa specialising in PPPs and project finance in the infrastructure space, and Zagallo showing particular strength in advising both public and private entities on infrastructure projects in the transport, healthcare, water and sanitation segments. Diogo Perestrelo, who 'has a unique level of experience and is unanimously recognised by his peers', concentrates on energy and infrastructure-related M&A and projects, while João Marques Mendes is dedicated to energy and natural resources matters, offering advice on regulatory issues, project implementation, and dispute resolution. Joana Brandão's expertise lies in energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects, and Nuno Serrão Faria has in-depth knowledge of project finance and development in the renewables sector.

A variety of clients – including financiers, concessionaires, funds, and companies – turn to Uría Menéndez for assistance with the structuring and financing of greenfield projects; M&A involving regulated assets, refinancing transactions, PPPs, and dispute resolution are also part of the firm’s service offering in this space. Co-head Bernardo Diniz de Ayala excels in guiding grantors, sponsors, and lenders in project finance deals, which is also a key area of expertise for fellow co-leader Antonio Villacampa. Other noteworthy individuals include João Louro e Costa, who oversees cross-border transactions within the transport and energy sectors, and Gonçalo Andrade Sousa, who offers expertise in project development, PPPs, and M&A in regulated sectors. Former head of the practice Pedro Ferreira Malaquias is no longer at the firm.

Recommended for its ‘deep knowledge’ of the energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, and transport sectors, VdA caters to a diverse client base, which includes sponsors, financiers, construction companies and operators. Practice head Manuel Protásio specialises in project and structured finance, with a special emphasis on the energy, mining, and water segments. Ana Luís de Sousa and Vanda Cascão concentrate on the energy sector, showcasing experience in the financing and development of greenfield projects. Teresa Empis Falcão is distinguished for her work in infrastructure and energy-related project finance and development at the domestic and international levels, while João Afonso Fialho is a name to note for oil and gas, mining, and infrastructure projects in Africa.

Standing out for its 'acute and detailed knowledge of the market', Abreu Advogados plays a key role in national and international projects in the energy, natural resources, oil and gas, and transport sectors. Bringing together expertise in public law and financing matters, the firm is equipped to advise on project finance and the establishment of joint ventures and other co-development agreements, as well as related regulatory issues and litigation. Co-head Mafalda Teixeira de Abreu primarily handles public procurement, investment contracts and administrative litigation, while Manuel Santos Vítor has an impressive track record in projects in the renewables, oil and gas, and natural resources sectors. 'The team was recently reinforced with experienced members' who joined from TELLES in November 2o22, including Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues, who 'reveals, with his advice, decades of accumulated experience in high CapEx sectors', namely energy and natural resource sectors, and senior associate João Lupi.

CMS marries a wealth of experience in construction law, public procurement and government contracts with a strong track record in high-end corporate and financing transactions. 'The firm features professionals with very specific and specialised knowledge of the energy sector in Portugal', and is a main port of call for international financial institutions engaged in the financing of renewable projects, including wind farms and photovoltaic plants. Department head António Payan Martins specialises in banking and finance law, with considerable experience in Portuguese-speaking countries. Alberto Galhardo Simões leads the firm’s Lusophone Africa team, handling infrastructure projects for both public and private clients. Mónica Carneiro Pacheco is lauded as a ‘reference in the energy sector in Portugal’.

Cuatrecasas excels in advising national and international financiers and sponsors throughout all stages of project development, from tender structuring to implementation. The group, whose expertise spans the roads, rail, renewables, water, ports, hospitals, and transport spaces, is jointly led by a capable trio: Margarida Leal De Oliveira, who is active in healthcare, energy, ports, and natural resources projects in Portugal and abroad; Manuel Requicha Ferreira, a finance and structured transactions specialist, who is experienced in road concessionaires’ debt restructurings and project finance in the energy sector; and Lourenço Vilhena De Freitas, who specialises in public procurement and PPPs in the infrastructure space. André Duarte Figueira has recently left the firm.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is renowned for its extensive expertise in the projects space, providing comprehensive advice, from tendering and contract negotiation to financing, in sectors such as energy, transport, water, and sanitation. Led by project finance expert Filipe Lowndes Marques, the department is equipped to handle domestic and cross-border matters, most notably projects in Portuguese-speaking African countries. Filipa Morais Alçada is a key point of contact for lenders and sponsors seeking legal support in renewable energy projects and infrastructure concessions. João Honorato, who rejoined the firm as a partner in 2022, brings vast in-house experience in the energy sector, covering project finance in the conventional and renewable segments. Cláudia Castanheira Dos Santos excels in the financing of road concessions and energy projects.

Sérvulo & Associados leverages its public law acumen to assist both public and private sector clients with the administrative aspects of projects in Portugal and Lusophone African jurisdictions. Public procurement and administrative litigation specialist Mark Kirkby is particularly adept in managing concessions and PPPs in the road and rail sectors. Francisca Mendes da Costa’s expertise encompasses public procurement, concessions, and transactional advice, with a notable focus on the healthcare sector. Former co-head Ana Luísa Guimarães left the firm in February 2024.

SRS Legal’s wide-ranging expertise in this space spans public procurement, concessions, licensing and PPPs, as well as project negotiations, development contracts, and privatisations. José Luís Moreira da Silva is deeply involved in the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors, bringing significant expertise in arbitrations and public law matters in Portugal. He oversees the projects department with Alexandra Valente, who focuses on guiding clients through domestic and cross-border project finance and corporate transactions. Public law specialist Alexandre Roque contributes experience in administrative litigation and urban planning.

Skilled in negotiating port operation concessions and maritime transport-related matters, Albuquerque & Almeida assists both Portuguese and international clients with project finance, PPPs, and transport, logistics and energy transactions. Active in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the team is led by public law specialist Alexandre De Albuquerque. Diana Silveira represents maritime companies and public entities, and plays a key role in the firm's most prominent mandates.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo plays a significant role in major infrastructure projects both in Portugal and internationally, including ventures in Mali, Honduras, Mozambique, and the Republic of Niger. This involvement extends to financing, development and refinancing mandates, as well as acquisition or divestitures involving regulated assets. Mafalda Barreto specialises in cross-border infrastructure and energy transactions, collaborating closely with the firm’s offices in London, New York, Brussels, and Madrid. She heads up the practice with Ricardo Campos, who possesses a wealth of experience in administrative, regulatory and construction matters. Ana Luísa Guimarães joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024.

Focusing on project development, finance and implementation, Raposo Bernardo is regularly instructed by banking and infrastructure clients. The team is led by managing partner Nelson Raposo Bernardo, who is skilled at advising major private banks on PPPs and project finance, and Joana Andrade Correia, whose areas of expertise include project finance in the transport sector, including railways and airport terminals.