Banking News – Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Portugal has welcomed the decision to establish a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu and expressed gratitude to the governments of Nepal and Portugal.

A Cabinet meeting of the Government of Nepal held on Shrawan 26, 2083, decided to grant approval for the Government of Portugal to establish a consular office in Kathmandu. NRNA Portugal said the office is expected to begin operations in the near future.

In a statement issued by NRNA Portugal President Sujan Lama Moktan, the association said the establishment of a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu would make it easier for Nepalis living in Portugal to access various consular services. The association believes the move will particularly reduce the need to travel to New Delhi, India, for family reunification, visa and other consular services.

Following the formation of the new government, the Nepal government had initiated necessary efforts to establish a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu. In the course of the diplomatic initiative, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a telephone conversation with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel, discussing the establishment of a consular office and other issues.

Following Nepal’s request and subsequent diplomatic efforts, the Portuguese government decided to establish a consular office in Kathmandu. NRNA Portugal described the decision as an important achievement for the Nepali community living in Portugal.

Nepal and Portugal formally established diplomatic relations on September 1, 1976. As Nepal had not established a resident embassy in Portugal for a long period, Nepal’s diplomatic responsibilities concerning Portugal had been handled by the Nepali Embassy in Paris.

The Government of Nepal established a resident Nepali Embassy in Lisbon in March 2025. Prakash Mani Poudel is the first resident ambassador of Nepal to Portugal.

The embassy was formally inaugurated on February 20, 2026, during the visit of Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai to Portugal. NRNA Portugal said the move further institutionalized and strengthened direct Nepal-Portugal relations.

Although there is no exact official figure for the number of Nepalis living in Portugal, the Nepali Embassy estimates that more than 60,000 Nepalis reside in the country. NRNA Portugal said the launch of Portuguese consular services in Kathmandu is therefore a significant development for Portugal, which has a large Nepali community.

The establishment of the consular office in Kathmandu is expected to eliminate the need for Nepalis living in Portugal to travel to New Delhi to access Portuguese consular services, saving them both time and financial costs.