Growing Wealth

Portugal has become one of Europe's most sought-after bases for wealthy families.

The number of ultra-high-net-worth residents has risen by almost half in five years. For anyone who travels privately, the more interesting question is how that wealth moves.

Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026 estimates that the country's ultra-high-net-worth population (those worth US$30 million or more) grew from 1,462 in 2021 to 2,187 in 2026, an increase of almost 50%. It forecasts around 2,450 by 2031, which is slower growth of roughly 12%. Euronews has reported on these figures.

Mobile Lives

Living across several places.

The ultra-wealthy are spending less time in any one place, and Portugal sits squarely within that trend.

Knight Frank describes rising mobility among the ultra-wealthy, with many spending fewer than 90 days a year in traditional hubs. It calls the pattern a dip-in, dip-out lifestyle: time divided between several locations for business, family and leisure rather than one permanent base. The report's examples centre on tax-driven moves involving cities such as London, but Portugal sits within the same trend. Knight Frank notes it has drawn buyers from northern Europe, the US and Latin America.

For travel, this tends to mean frequent trips along a handful of routes, short stays, and plans that change at short notice. Passenger numbers vary too, from a solo business trip to a full family party with guests.

Access and Value

Connectivity is part of the appeal.

Prime property prices in Portugal reflect, in part, how easily the country can be reached.

Knight Frank tracks prime prices in Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve. Porto rose 8.5% in 2025, and Quinta do Lago has risen 61.2% over five years. The report credits that rise partly to Portugal's tax and visa offer, limited stock and new direct flights from the US. Ease of access is part of what people are paying for.

Why Charter

Why charter suits this pattern.

Wealthy clients are choosing on-demand access over the fixed costs of ownership.

The Wealth Report's Family Office Survey notes that wealthy clients are willing to pay a premium for last-minute aviation access rather than maintain their own aircraft. It also describes a move towards lighter, more flexible structures. Charter matches that way of living:

  • Flexibility. The aircraft is chosen for each journey, whether that is a light jet for a quick business trip or something larger for a family holiday.
  • Short notice. Plans change, and charter lets you respond without being tied to one aircraft's availability or location.
  • No fixed commitment. You fly when you need to and carry no costs between trips.
  • Variety of routes. Whether you're flying between Portugal, the UK, Switzerland, the Gulf or further afield, you aren't limited to one aircraft's range or capacity.

Ownership can make sense where use is high and predictable on a narrow set of routes, but for many people dividing their time between homes, that isn't how they travel.

Our Approach

The Oryx perspective.

Each journey is planned around the client rather than the aircraft.

At Oryx, we plan each journey around the client rather than the aircraft. For Portugal, that means understanding your routes, your timing, which airports serve your properties best and who is travelling, then arranging the right aircraft and ground support for each trip.

Population estimates, forecasts and price data are taken from Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026, as reported by Euronews.