Portuguese GQ Ends Its Run, Lighthouse Publishing Shifts to Original Content

Lighthouse Publishing, the independent Portuguese publisher of GQ magazine under license since 2015, has announced it will cease publication with the December issue. This marks the end of a ten-year run for the magazine in Portugal, concluding on December 31, 2025. The final issue features actor Ed Westwick and his wife, Amy Jackson Westwick, and is currently available on newsstands and through the official Lighthouse Shop.

The decision not to renew the license with Condé Nast Publications was confirmed by José Santana, director of GQ and co-founder of Lighthouse Publishing, established in 2015 alongside Sofia Lucas. According to Observador, Lighthouse Publishing intends to introduce another international title within the same segment, signaling a shift in their publishing strategy. Importantly, Santana assures that the closure will not impact the employment of GQ’s staff, who are employed directly by Lighthouse Publishing.

Santana articulated the reasoning behind the decision, expressing a desire to focus on original content creation. He stated a preference for a GQ edition that is “100% ours and 100% made by us,” contrasting this with the increasingly international direction of shared content and covers being adopted by the global GQ brand. This suggests a divergence in vision between Lighthouse Publishing and Condé Nast regarding the future of the Portuguese edition.

Throughout its decade-long presence in Portugal, GQ has served as a leading voice in men’s style, culture, and luxury lifestyle. The magazine culminated its run with a significant social event, the ‘GQ Night of the Year (NOTY) 2025’, held in November. Recent issues showcased a diverse range of personalities, including rapper Dillaz and actor Mark Eydelshteyn in September, model Carmen Kass and presenter João Baião in October (with a special edition featuring Baião), leading up to the final December cover with the Westwicks.

Originally known as Gentlemen’s Quarterly, the international GQ magazine, published by Condé Nast, has evolved from a fashion-focused publication into a broader lifestyle magazine. It encompasses a wide array of topics including celebrity profiles, film, music, sports, literature, gastronomy, travel, fitness, health, technology, and even politics. GQ is particularly renowned for its annual Men of the Year events, celebrating influential figures across various industries, and maintains a robust digital presence through its website, video channels, and social media platforms.