The British Embassy in Lisbon is part of the Foreign & Commonealth office and represents the interests the British Government in Portugal. It is responsible for delivering the British Government's policy goals. The FCO has a network of over 200 diplomatic offices abroad.  As part of the new strategic framework the FCO has a new mission statement "Better World, Better Britain" reflecting the fact that we can no longer have environment, physical or economic security in the UK without promoting it overseas.  

The Work of the British Embassy and Consulates

Working to the Ambassador is a team of around 12 UK-based and 44 Portuguese staff. Their job it is to inform and influence the Portuguese Government on all matters where British and Portuguese interests overlap, particularly in respect of the European Union and NATO, to which both nations belong; to keep the British Government informed about Portuguese developments and views; to help British businessmen secure orders and contracts in Portugal; and to help the resident British Community and British visitors in Portugal.

The Ambassador

Alex Ellis, the Ambassador, directs and supervises the work of the Embassy. As the public face of the Embassy, he represents the interests of the British Government in dealings with Portuguese Ministers and officials. He and his Residence are at the disposal of British companies to help in their sales efforts in Portugal. He also supports the work of the resident British community in Portugal (totalling over 60,000).

Political, Press and Public Affairs

John Kraus, Deputy Head of Mission, is responsible for Political, Press and Public Affairs. Political Section is the channel through which most government-to-government business between Britain and Portugal is conducted. The Political team reports to the British Government on political and economic developments in Portugal. They seek to influence the Portuguese government's policies on issues of concern to Britain in the European Union and NATO. They work closely with the Portuguese government on foreign policy issues where we have shared interests, for example in Africa and the Middle East, on conflict prevention and combating terrorism. The Press & Public Affairs Section deals with public enquiries about Britain as well as with enquiries from the Portuguese press and government departments about British Government policy. It issues press releases and other information about the United Kingdom.

Defence

The Defence Section is the channel through which most national defence business is conducted between the United Kingdom and Portugal. The Section is headed by the Defence Attaché who is also the Naval Military and Air Attaché, and is the United Kingdom Chiefs of the Armed Forces local representative. The Defence Attaché liases with the Portuguese Ministry of Defence, the General Staff and the individual armed services on defence policy, operational training, defence sales and administrative matters. The Defence Attaché is supported by a Royal Navy Petty Officer and a locally employed administrative officer.

Trade & Investment

The Trade & Investment Section of the British Embassy in Portugal is the representative of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). The Director for Trade & Investment is Renata Ramalhosa. Its 10 local staff offer specialist advice on specific sectors in the Portuguese market (Mass Transport, Power/Renewable Energies, ICT, Security, Healthcare, Environment, Food & Drink and Financial Services) and general advice in other areas. The Trade & Investment Section can help Portuguese companies to access British goods and services. It facilitates joint ventures between Britain and Portugal, and organises trade promotion events of various kinds. Current annual exports from the UK are about £1.46 billion and Portuguese exports to the UK were £1.44 billion in 2007. Portugal is the UK's 23th export market (twelfth in Europe) and Britain is one of the largest investors in Portugal (£ 3.4 billion in 2007).

Consular

The British Consul and his 15 team members located throughout Portugal, are here to look after the interests of British Nationals visiting, or living in Portugal and the autonomous regions of the Madeira Archipelago and the Azores Archipelago. The Consular Section helps British Nationals who have had serious accidents or have fallen ill and have no-one to help them. They can visit and advise British nationals who are detained by the authorities for more than 24-hours, issue emergency passports, register births and deaths of British nationals occurring in Portugal, and provide notarial services. A Duty Officer is available to deal with emergencies outside normal hours, seven days a week, throughout the year. Consular staff also receive and process UK entry clearances (including for some British Overseas Territories). Some of the services provided by the Consulate, including visa work, are extended to Commonwealth nationals whose governments are not represented in Portugal.

Management

The Management Section has two UK-based staff members and sixteen locally engaged staff. The section provides logistical support to the Embassy. The Embassy has an annual budget of around £2.1 million. The Head of Section is Henry Bradley.