Spanish Aluminium Giant Commits €100M to Northern Portugal: 450 Jobs Coming to Chaves by 2027

Cortizo, a Spanish aluminium manufacturing multinational, will invest €100 million in a new factory in Chaves, creating up to 450 direct jobs by the end of 2027. The project marks one of the largest business investments ever undertaken in the northern municipality.

80,000 Square Meters of Advanced Manufacturing

The factory will be built on approximately 30 hectares in the Chaves Business Park in the Vila Real district. The industrial complex will span about 80,000 square meters dedicated to aluminium processing, covering the entire transformation cycle from extrusion to final finishes.

According to Chaves City Council, the facility will be Cortizo's most modern factory worldwide, integrating advanced technology and automated production systems. The project has been classified as a Project of National Interest (PIN), qualifying it for specific incentives and support mechanisms from the Portuguese government.

Six Years in the Making

The €100 million investment represents the culmination of institutional cooperation between Chaves municipality and Cortizo that began in 2020. "This investment is the result of institutional cooperation between the municipality and the company, initiated in 2020, which over the last few years has allowed the necessary conditions to be met for the project's realisation," said socialist mayor Nuno Vaz.

Construction is expected to begin soon, with operations slated to start by late 2027. The factory will create 400-450 direct jobs in skilled manufacturing roles—a significant boost for a region that has traditionally struggled with employment opportunities and population retention.

Why Portugal? Why Chaves?

Cortizo, founded over five decades ago in Galicia, Spain, specializes in aluminium and PVC systems for architecture and industry. The company already has a presence in several European countries, but Portugal—and specifically northern Portugal—offers several advantages:

• Proximity to Spain: Chaves sits near the Spanish border, facilitating logistics and supply chain integration with Cortizo's existing Galician operations.
• Labor costs: Portugal remains competitive within the EU for manufacturing wages while offering a skilled workforce.
• Government support: PIN classification streamlines bureaucracy and unlocks financial incentives.
• Infrastructure: The Chaves Business Park provides ready-made industrial zoning with necessary utilities and transport links.

Regional Economic Impact

Beyond the direct jobs, the project is expected to boost the local and regional economy through supplier contracts, service demand, and increased business attractiveness. The council predicts the investment will encourage other companies to establish operations in Alto Tâmega, the broader region encompassing Chaves.

Northern Portugal has historically lagged behind Lisbon and Porto in economic development. Major industrial investments like Cortizo's signal growing confidence in the region's potential, particularly as companies seek to diversify away from overheated metropolitan markets.

What This Means for Expats

For job seekers in manufacturing or engineering: 450 skilled positions in advanced manufacturing represent a rare opportunity in northern Portugal. If you have experience in aluminium processing, automation, or industrial engineering, Chaves may soon be on your radar.

For entrepreneurs and service providers: A factory of this scale will need everything from logistics and maintenance to catering and business services. Ancillary business opportunities will multiply as the facility ramps up.

For property investors: Chaves' housing market is unlikely to remain dormant with 450 new workers moving to the area. Rental demand and property values may rise ahead of the 2027 opening—though the market remains affordable compared to Porto or Lisbon.

For anyone considering northern Portugal: This investment is a signal. Major multinational corporations are looking beyond the usual Lisbon-Porto axis, betting on smaller cities with infrastructure, government support, and growth potential. Chaves won't become Porto overnight, but it's moving in the right direction.