Choosing an accountant in Porto as an expat: 2026 guide

In summary: to work or start a business in Portugal you will need a NIF (tax number), to know whether you qualify for IFICI, and to choose between working as a self-employed professional or setting up a company. By law, a company must have a Certified Accountant. This guide covers the essentials and what to ask before choosing an accountant in Porto.

1. The NIF, your first step

The NIF (tax identification number) is free. Since July 2025, people without a Portuguese Citizen Card can request it through the Portal das Finanças e-balcão, via a representative holding a power of attorney, or in person at a tax office (Serviço de Finanças) or a Loja do Cidadão, by appointment.

You do not need a fiscal representative just to obtain a NIF. The question arises once you have a tax relationship in Portugal, such as a property, an employment contract or self-employment:

• citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland and Andorra can do without a representative by signing up for electronic notifications on the Portal das Finanças;
• non-EU citizens who are self-employed in Portugal still need a fiscal representative, even with electronic notifications.

2. IFICI, the regime that replaced NHR

The non-habitual resident regime (NHR) is closed to new applicants. It was replaced by IFICI, the tax incentive for scientific research and innovation, set out in article 58.º-A of the Tax Benefits Statute:

• 20% flat rate on employment and self-employment income from qualifying activities, for 10 years;
• you must not have been a Portuguese tax resident in the previous 5 years, and must not have benefited before from NHR, IFICI or the returning-residents regime;
• it covers activities such as university teaching and research, work in startups, and qualified jobs certified by bodies such as AICEP, IAPMEI or ANI;
• you must register on the Portal das Finanças by 15 January of the year after you become resident. If you register late, the regime only applies from the year of registration.

If you are 35 or under and do not qualify for IFICI, also look at IRS Jovem.

3. Working as a self-employed professional

As a self-employed professional (“recibos verdes”), you fall under category B of IRS. Up to 200,000 € of annual income, the simplified regime applies, and only part of your income is taxed:

• 75% of income from the professions listed in article 151.º of the IRS Code, such as consultants, engineers or programmers;
• 35% of income from other services and 15% of sales;
• in the first year of activity these percentages are halved, and in the second year reduced by 25%, provided you do not also have employment or pension income.

For services, if your documented expenses fall below 15% of gross income, the shortfall may be added to your taxable income. To compare with organised accounting, use our simulator.

VAT: you are generally exempt under article 53.º of the VAT Code while your turnover in Portugal stays under 15,000 € a year.

Social Security: the contribution is 21.4% on 70% of your service income, declared quarterly. You are exempt for the first 12 months of activity.

4. Sole trader or company?

As a sole trader (ENI) you pay IRS and are personally liable with your own assets. A private limited company (Lda.) pays IRC, liability is limited to the share capital, and the minimum capital is 1 € per partner. In 2026, IRC is 15% on the first 50,000 € of profit for SMEs and 19% on the rest.

A company usually pays off with higher, stable profits, when you want to keep profits in the business, or to protect your personal assets. It has fixed costs: organised accounting is mandatory, and distributed profits are taxed.

5. A Certified Accountant is mandatory

Companies and anyone with organised accounting must have a Certified Accountant (Contabilista Certificado) registered with the Order of Certified Accountants (OCC), who signs the accounts and tax returns. Always ask for the OCC registration number.

6. How much an accountant costs in Porto

According to market data from the Zaask platform, the average in Porto is around 90 € a month; nationally, prices range from 75 € to 700 € depending on the volume of documents, employees and tax regime. These are indicative figures: always ask for a fixed quote and check what it includes.

7. Deadlines you cannot miss

• IRS return (Modelo 3): 1 April to 30 June;
• IRC return (Modelo 22): by 31 May, a deadline that is often extended;
• IES (annual accounts filing): by 15 July;
• Quarterly VAT: by the 20th of the second month after the quarter.

What to ask before choosing

• What is your OCC registration number?
• Do you speak my language and answer questions in writing?
• Do you have experience with IFICI, non-residents and foreign income?
• Is the quote fixed, and does it say what is included and what is charged separately?
• How do I send documents, and how are tax office notifications handled?

Serro & Andrade works with international clients in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French, from four offices in Porto, Maia and Paredes. See our accounting service for foreigners or get in touch with us.

Guide reviewed by the Serro & Andrade technical team in November 2026. Legal basis: article 19.º of the General Tax Law, article 58.º-A of the Tax Benefits Statute, articles 31.º and 151.º of the IRS Code, article 53.º of the VAT Code, article 87.º of the IRC Code and article 10.º of the OCC Statute.