Legal Insights
Your go-to hub for value-packed articles, keeping you informed and empowered throughout your legal journey in Portugal.
Considering PLAN B? The Portuguese Golden Visa program is it!
Portugal, where English is widely spoken, boasts safety, sunny weather, quality of life, friendly locals, tasty food, fantastic fibre internet coverage and direct flights to several US cities and several other destinations in Europe, America and Africa. If you are not...
Minors travelling out of Portugal
Article 44 of the Portuguese Constitution enshrines the right to move and emigrate: ‘1. All citizens are guaranteed the right to move and settle freely in any part of the national territory.2. Everyone is guaranteed the right to emigrate or leave national territory...
NHR 2.0
The 2024 State Budget Law ended the NHR regime as was. However, it is still possible to access a new NHR scheme (also known as Scientific Research and Innovation Regime, but often referred to as NHR 2.0) under special conditions foreseen in the Tax Benefits Code. Who...
Knowledge of the Portuguese Language for Applying for Portuguese Citizenship
Language is an essential tool for ensuring that citizens can communicate and integrate fully into Portuguese society. Therefore, for various types of nationality processes, one of the fundamental requirements is to demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in the...
Have you entered into a contract that you no longer want, or do you feel cheated with your purchase?
Lack of information and misleading advertising are two of the main reasons that lead people to enter contracts that they later regret. Family members, particularly those who are older or lack instruction, can often be manipulated to enter into contracts without fully...
I received an eviction notice, what now?
When you receive a notice ordering you to leave a rented property, known as an eviction notice, you have three options: Vacate the property and pay the landlord the amount owed as rent; Oppose the eviction; Request a postponement for vacating the property. We will...
SOCIAL SECURITY – Employees and Managers
In Portugal, companies are required to pay monthly contributions to Social Security (TSU – Taxa Social Unica) over gross monthly salaries: employees will see deducted a 11% flat rate from their salary and the employer will pay 23.75% over that amount, handing 34.75%...
What is a certified translation?
As a rule, to be presented in Portugal, documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified translation into Portuguese. A certified translation is therefore a translation whose content is confirmed as corresponding to an original document...
Review and Recognition of Foreign Judgements in Portugal
All decisions (judgements) rendered by foreign courts, whether civil, compensatory, or other, must be reviewed and confirmed by the competent Portuguese court to be valid in Portugal. The review and recognition of foreign judgements is therefore a judicial action,...
Matrimonial Property Regimes and Debts of The Couple: Practical Guide
Types of matrimonial property regimes Community of after-acquired property: only assets acquired after the marriage are owned jointly by the couple. Assets owned before the marriage or inherited or bequeathed after, are owned singly by each spouse. This is the...
CONSTRUIR PORTUGAL: tax perspective
The new elected government announced a set of measures to address the housing crisis. The new housing strategy (“Construir Portugal”) aims to provide an urgent response to difficulties in buying or renting a home. In a nutshell, this proposal includes the following...
Rental income: tax deductions
The deadline to file Portuguese personal income tax returns is June 30, and in this context, several issues arise as to the deductibility, for tax purposes, for tax purposes, for landlords, regarding net rental income obtained, and for tenants, related with rents paid...
My visa is being rejected: what should I do?
Receiving a visa rejection can be disappointing and very stressful, considering that you made your plans with the expectation of a positive decision, within a specific timeline, and several preparations are surely underway. First of all, it is important to note that...
Relocating to Portugal: D7 or D8 visa – which is best?
Residence visas are meant for non-EU nationals intending to stay in Portugal for more than one year. This type of visa, valid for 4 months, grants legal entry into Portugal for the purpose of converting the visa into a residence permit valid for an initial period of...
Moving your business to Portugal: Affiliate vs Branch
When deciding to move a business abroad, it is important to understand the main differences between an affiliate company and a branch in terms of power of direction and liability. Affiliate companies (subsidiaries) may assume the legal form of a: Private limited...
Moving your business to Portugal: main types of companies
When deciding to move a business abroad, it is important to understand the main differences in legal form in terms of minimum share capital and number of shareholders/partners and shareholder liability. The main types of companies in Portugal are: Private...
What is a living will?
A Living Will or Vital Will, also known as an Advance Directive of Will, is a document in which someone states his/hers wishes about receiving medical care in a situation of inability to make or communicate decisions, allowing also for the appointment of a proxy and...
Understanding Labor Associated Costs in Portugal
It is important to be aware of the net salary and fringe benefits to be offered to candidates and of the total amounts involved in specific compensation packages. Minimum wages in Portugal in 2024 are €820/gross/month for a full-time job. Unlike most other countries,...
Insolvency: Civil vs Criminal Liability
When directors accept their appointment, they are not ensuring the company’s economic and business success, but they are expected to fulfill their duties in compliance with the law, the company’s articles of association and the required standard of care, supervision,...
Has the NHR Tax Regime come to an end?
Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime is undergoing significant changes, prompting questions and concerns among expats and potential residents. As of January 1, 2024, new tax residents will no longer have access to the NHR regime in its current form,...
Know Your Rights: Understanding Security Deposits in Rental Agreements
In the process of renting out a property, it is not uncommon for landlords to discover issues during property inspections that fall under the tenant's responsibility. Tenants are obligated to return the property in its original condition, and if damages or anomalies...
How to legalize documents for international use
For public documents (as opposed to private) to be valid abroad, these need to be legalised, thus its authenticity being certified. Issuing entities of public documents will typically include Ministries, Registry Offices, Courts, Schools, Notaries, Commerce and...
Do I need a will in Portugal?
Planning for the distribution of assets after passing is a crucial step in ensuring loved ones are taken care of and in avoiding situations potentially leading to disputes and complications for heirs. Therefore, understanding succession rules is essential for anyone...
Understanding Recent Changes to Portuguese Citizenship Law
The much-awaited amendments to Portuguese Citizenship Law were published in March (Organic Law 1/2024, of March 5th), and the changes are worth noting. To apply for Portuguese citizenship based on residency, one needs to have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years...
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News & Insights
Relocating to Portugal: D7 or D8 visa - which is best?
Has the NHR tax regime come to an end?
Know Your Rights: Understanding Security Deposits in Lease Agreements
How to Legalize Documents for International Use
Moving your business to Portugal: main types of companies
What is a living will?