English-Speaking Accountant in Lisbon for Expats & Foreign Companies
English-Speaking Accountant in Lisbon for Expats & Foreign Companies
HVR Business Consulting is an English-speaking certified accounting firm in Lisbon, specializing in expatriates, foreign companies, and digital nomads establishing themselves in Portugal. We handle NIF obtention, tax residency, IFICI regime applications, company formation, personal tax (IRS), and ongoing compliance — all in English, from €150/month.
Why You Need a Local Accountant in Portugal
Portugal's tax system has specific rules for foreign residents that differ significantly from most countries. Key areas where professional guidance is essential:
- Tax residency determination — The 183-day rule and permanent home criteria have nuances that affect your worldwide income obligations
- IFICI regime (post-NHR) — The successor to the NHR regime offers 20% flat tax for qualifying professionals for 10 years
- Double taxation treaties — Portugal has 80+ DTAs; proper application prevents paying tax twice on the same income
- Social Security obligations — Contributions vary by employment type and bilateral agreements with your home country
- Annual reporting — IRS Model 3 declaration, annexes for foreign income, capital gains, and rental income
- Language barrier — All official correspondence from Finanças, Segurança Social, and courts is in Portuguese
Tax Regime for Foreign Residents in Portugal 2026
The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime closed to new applications in 2024. Its successor, the IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação) regime, is available to qualifying professionals who become Portuguese tax residents and were not resident in the previous 5 years.
IFICI offers a 20% flat income tax rate on Portuguese-source employment and self-employment income for 10 consecutive years. Foreign-source income may be exempt under specific conditions.
Non-residents pay withholding tax rates: 25% on employment income, 25% on services, 28% on rental income, 28% on interest and dividends, and 28% on capital gains from Portuguese assets.
Services for Expats and Foreign Companies
- Personal Tax (IRS) — Annual IRS Model 3 preparation, IFICI application, foreign income reporting, double taxation treaty benefits
- Company Formation — Unipessoal Lda or Lda registration, NIF, bank account, Finanças registration — from €360
- Property Purchase Support — IMT and Stamp Duty calculation, NIF for non-residents, fiscal representation
- Freelancer Setup — Category B registration, Social Security, simplified vs organized regime optimization
- Payroll for Foreign Hires — Employment contracts, TSU registration, monthly payroll processing
- Annual Compliance — IRS, IES, IRC filings, Social Security declarations, statutory accounts
Pricing
All packages include English-language support, online portal access, and video meetings:
- Essential — €150/month — Micro companies, up to 50 documents/month, basic compliance
- Professional — €300/month — SMEs with payroll up to 5 employees, analytical accounting
- Premium — €600/month — Growing companies, consulting, CFO-level financial management