Expats in Portugal — Tax, Company & Accounting Resources
If you're an expat in Portugal — relocating, freelancing, or founding a company — this hub gathers every English-language resource HVR maintains: IFICI tax regime (the NHR replacement, special 20% rate for 10 years), opening a Portuguese company (from €360, 1-day turnaround), accounting for foreign-owned businesses, freelancing under recibos verdes, and switching accountants. All services delivered in English with one bilingual team based in Lisbon since 2016.
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Quick navigation by intent
I'm moving to Portugal and want the lowest-tax regime
The IFICI regime gives qualifying tech professionals, R&D specialists and other highly-qualified workers a special 20% rate on net qualifying income for 10 years. Hard deadline: 15 January of the year after becoming resident.
→ IFICI Tax Advisor — Application + Annual Filing (transactional service)
→ IFICI Reference Guide (deep-dive comparison vs NHR)
→ Moving to Portugal — Complete Tax & Accounting Guide (start-here overview: residency, IFICI, NIF, IRS, social security)
I want to open a company in Portugal
Lda, Unipessoal Lda or SA — choose the right structure, register in 1 business day, set up accounting from day one. HVR provides a turnkey package including NIFs, bank account introductions, and 12 months of accounting.
→ Open a Company in Portugal — Service + Pricing (from €360 / €2,500 turnkey for foreigners)
→ Accounting for Foreign-Owned Companies in Portugal — Pillar Guide
I'm self-employed (recibos verdes / autónomo)
Open activity at the Tax Authority, register at Social Security (21.4% contribution rate), choose between simplified or organised accounting regime, and manage VAT exemption thresholds (€15,000 for 2026).
→ Freelancers in Portugal — Pillar Guide
I'm a US citizen worried about double taxation
US citizens and green-card holders keep filing US returns on worldwide income even as Portuguese residents. The US-Portugal treaty, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit remove most double taxation — but watch the PFIC trap on European funds and the FBAR/FATCA reporting. HVR owns your Portuguese side and coordinates with your US CPA or Enrolled Agent.
→ US Expats in Portugal — Taxes Explained
I already live in Portugal and want to change accountant
Give the notice set in your contract, request your SAF-T files and prior tax returns, register the new accountant on Portal das Finanças. HVR handles the full transition at no cost for new clients.
→ How to Change Your Accountant in Portugal
I want to compare HVR pricing
HVR accounting from €150/month (Essential) / €300/month (Professional) / €500/month (Premium). IFICI filing quoted separately. Company formation from €360 (Empresa na Hora).
→ HVR Accounting Packages — Full Pricing
→ Interactive Pricing Calculator (5 questions)
Why expats choose HVR
- Bilingual team since 2016 — every contract, report and tax explanation in English on request
- Single point of contact — Hugo Velez Ribeiro, Certified Accountant (OCC) since 2000, with 25+ years of experience including expat tax cases
- Lisbon office (Parque das Nações) — physical address near Oriente metro station, plus 100% remote service for clients elsewhere in Portugal or abroad
- End-to-end ownership — NIF, company formation, IFICI application, annual filings, payroll: one team, one fee, no hand-offs
- Bank introductions — established relationships with Millennium BCP, ActivoBank, Bison Bank for non-resident accounts
- Specialised expat verticals — IFICI, Madeira Free Trade Zone, double tax treaty applications
Common scenarios HVR handles
- US tech founder relocating to Lisbon — IFICI application, US-PT double tax treaty, Portuguese Lda for European market entry, payroll structuring (salary at 20% IFICI + dividends taxed at corporate level)
- UK freelancer using D8 Digital Nomad Visa — recibos verdes setup, UK-PT tax treaty, IRS Category B simplified or organised regime, Social Security exemption analysis
- Indian or Brazilian software engineer joining Portuguese company — IFICI eligibility verification, NIF + tax residency setup, employment contract optimisation
- French or German investor opening Portuguese SPV — Lda or SGPS holding structure, real estate vs operating company, participation exemption regime
- Expat already in Portugal, NHR ending soon — transition planning to IFICI (where eligible), corporate restructuring options, pension income strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What tax regime do expats in Portugal use in 2026?
New tax residents from 1 January 2024 onwards apply for IFICI — the replacement for NHR. IFICI offers a 20% flat rate on Portuguese-source income from eligible activities (tech, R&D, qualified professionals) for 10 consecutive years. The old NHR is closed to new applicants but residents who registered before 31 Dec 2023 retain their NHR benefits.
Can expats open a Portuguese company without being resident?
Yes. Non-residents can incorporate Portuguese companies. Required: Portuguese NIF (obtainable remotely with fiscal representative for non-EU residents), proof of identity, capital deposit. The full process can be completed remotely with power of attorney.
Does HVR offer services in English?
Yes. HVR has a bilingual team. All client communication, contracts, monthly reports and tax explanations are available in English on request. We've handled NHR/IFICI cases since 2016.
How much does accounting cost for an expat-owned business?
HVR packages: €150/month (Essential, ≤50 documents, 2 employees), €300/month (Professional, ≤200 documents, 10 employees), €600/month (Premium, unlimited + CFO support). For freelancers, IFICI annual filing is quoted separately.
What is the difference between NHR and IFICI?
NHR closed to new applicants on 31 December 2023. IFICI replaced it from 1 January 2024 with stricter eligibility (only specific high-value activities) and a 20% rate, now on net qualifying income. IFICI does NOT include the old NHR pension exemption — foreign pensions are now taxed at standard Portuguese rates.
Get started
The fastest path is a free 30-minute consultation: bring your situation (relocation timeline, profession, contract type, residency country) and we'll give you a clear roadmap.
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