Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community – the EU’s predecessor – in 1986. 

Overview of Portugal Economy – This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for Portugal. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

This economy profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Portugal. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).

A comparison of the Portugal economy with other Western European countries

The government remains committed to attracting FDI, expanding trade with South America, Africa, and Asia, and focusing on niche sectors of the economy such as tourism, renewable energy, high quality industrial components, technology services, and value-added agricultural products.

There are four types of company that may be set up in Portugal. The two most common are private limited liability companies and public limited companies.

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Portugal.

This site describes the steps required to register a company in Portugal

The Sales Tax Rate in Portugal stands at 23 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Portugal averaged 20.63 percent from 2000 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 23 percent in 2011 and a record low of 17 percent in 2001. Sales Tax Rate in Portugal is reported by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira.

VAT is paid at the time of purchase of a product or service. It is paid by everyone and there is no distinction between residents and non-residents. 

Current and historical corporate tax rates in Portugal

A flat CIT rate of 21% applies on the global amount of taxable income realised by companies resident for tax purposes in Portugal mainland or in the Autonomous Region of Madeira 

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Portugal stands at 56.50 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Portugal averaged 43.29 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 56.50 percent in 2013 and a record low of 40 percent in 1996. Personal Income Tax Rate in Portugal is reported by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira.

All income received by a resident in Portugal, such as salaries, capital gains and real estate income, including income obtained abroad, is taxed in Portugal by the Personal Income Tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares, IRS). 

To enter Portugal, you may need a Passport and/or a Visa, depending on the country you live in. Citizens from the European Community don’t need a Visa for entering Portugal. Portugal is also a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. 

Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. EU nationals can stay for an unlimited period, but must register with the local authorities after three months.

Portugal has a good infrastructure of road, rail and air transport, although it remains relatively isolated compared with other western European countries with few rail or bus routes going outside of the country.

A guide to public transportation in major cities in Portugal

Portugal has a modern and flexible telecommunications market and a wide range of varied media organisations. The regulatory body overseeing communications is called ANACOM. The country has one of the highest mobile phone penetration rates in the world.

Q&A on labor law issues in Portugal

a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Portugal.

A guide to unemployment regulations in Portugal from the US Social Security Administration.

Expertise in Labour Mobility provides information on Portuguese business culture , hierarchy, negotiations, and business etiquette in Portugal

Portugal is mainly characterized by a warm temperate, Mediterranean climate with a distinct wet season in winter. 

Not surprisingly, considering its close proximity to northern Africa, Portugal is one of the warmest European countries with an average temperature of 15°C (55°F) in the north and 18°C (64°F) in the south, while the Azores and Madeira are wetter and hotter respectively off the coast.

Cost of living in Portugal is 31.76% lower than in United States (aggregate data for all cities, rent is not taken into account). Rent in Portugal is 59.36% lower than in United States 

The cost of basic items in Lisbon

The Portuguese prefer to do business with those they feel comfortable with, which means those that they know they can trust. 

Demographics · Population · Age structure · Dependency ratios · Median age · Population growth rate · Birth rate · Death rate and more

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Portugal, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

See “Safety and Security” on this site

Safety advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Expats will find that education and schools in Portugal fall under one of two sectors: state and private.

Compulsory education in Portugal lasts nine years, taking pupils from the age of six to fifteen. In state-run (public) schools this basic education is free. 

A listing of national and seasonal holidays in Portugal

Portugal’s complete list of public holidays for 2015 and 2016

The United States is Portugal’s second largest trading partner outside the European Union

Portugal Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods atPortuguese border.

Tariffs and duty rates are constantly revised and are subject to change without notice.

This site provides information on Portugal’s participation in the WTO. Portugal has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 6 May 1962. It is a member State of the European Union(more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.

Specialists for manor houses Pousadas hotels villas and cottages in all regions of the country.

Tips on accommodations

Don’t be fooled by Portugal’s size: this small country is packed with vibrant culture , history, and natural beauty. 

Travel suggestions for Portugal from the New York Times