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FAQs
We have compiled a list of some frequently asked questions under the headings Commercial and Living in Portugal
See also “Doing Business in Portugal” and “Portugal - The Property Buyers’ Guide”
Commercial
Q. I want to set up a business in Portugal, what regulations must I follow?
Q. How can I find market information on a specific industry?
Q. How can I find a partner/agent in the UK/Portugal for my business?
Q. How can I find a Portuguese manufacturer/supplier?
Q. I want to sell my product in Portugal/UK.
Q. Is there a way to obtain financial information and credit reports
on a Portuguese/UK company?
Q. Do I need a Residence Permit or VISA?
Q. I want to set up a business in Portugal, what regulations must I follow?
A. If you are intending to set up a business in Portugal, a general information guide is available from the Chamber. For more specific help and support with your project see membership. You can also contact a lawyer or another specialist by searching our database of members.
Q. How can I find market information on a specific industry?
A. This type of service is available through membership and our business services.
Q. How can I find a partner/agent in the UK/Portugal for my business?
A. This service is available through membership and our business services.
Q. How can I find a Portuguese manufacturer/supplier?
A. Contact AICEP Portugal Global, the official government body promoting Portuguese products, on email: trade.london@portugalglobal.pt, Tel +44 207 201 6666.
Q. I want to sell my product in Portugal/UK.
A. This type of service is available through membership and our business services.
Q. Is there a way to obtain financial information and credit reports on a Portuguese/UK company?
A. You can search our database of members who specialise in this field. You can also contact organisations such as Dun & Bradstreet and Kompass.
Additionally, for companies in the UK you can visit www.companieshouse.co.uk.
Q. Do I need a Residence Permit or VISA?
A. As a EU national you may remain in Portugal as a tourist for a period not exceeding 180 days. EU citizens who wish to settle in Portugal (i.e. whether in employment, have a business, study or retire in Portugal) must on arrival, apply for a residence permit from the nearest office of the Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Portuguese Immigration authority).
Non-Eu citizens must apply personally for visas for permanent or temporary residence at a Portuguese Consulate of the area of their residence. Click on Portuguese Consulate for contact details in the UK or visit www.secomunidades.pt/manchester/
Living & Working in Portugal
Q. Will I be entitled to use the Portuguese national health service?
Q. What do I do if I wish to take my car to Portugal?
Q. I’m buying a property. Where can I find out whether a legal firm is registered?
Q. Where can I find a list of property agents?
Q. Can I receive my UK pensions and benefits in Portugal?
Q. Can I take my pets?
Q. Can I work in Portugal?
Q. How do I find employment?
Q. Will I be entitled to use the Portuguese national health service?
A. The healthcare system in Portugal is available to all EU residents. Until recently, you needed an E form to get such treatment. Now these paper forms have been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card. For more information, go to www.dh.gov.uk. Once you can show that you have applied for the issue of a national health card, you will become eligible to use the national health service under the same conditions as any Portuguese national. Until then, you will be treated as a visitor who, on production of a British passport, is entitled to receive emergency state treatment.
Q. What do I do if I wish to take my car to Portugal?
A. If your stay exceeds 180 days or you intend to take up residence, you must apply for the permanent importation of your vehicle to the nearest office of the Direccao-Geral das Alfandegas (Customs authority) as soon as possible after your arrival (www.dgaiec.min-financas.pt). Companies such as FAOTIR will deal with the vehicle importantion process for a fee (Tel 00351 289 803 226, Fax 00351 289 821 718.
Q. I’m buying a property. Where can I find out whether a legal firm is registered?
A. You can obtain a list of regulated lawyers from our database of members. You can also contact the Ordem dos Advogados (Portuguese Law Society) www.oa.pt.
Q. Where can I find a list of property agents?
A. You can obtain a list of property agents from our database of members.
Q. Can I receive my UK pensions and benefits in Portugal?
A. Yes. Details are available from:
Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate
Room TC109, Newcastle NE8 1BA
Tel 0191 218 7777
Q. Can I take my pets?
A. For more information contact Pets Travel Scheme 08702 411 710.
Q. Can I work in Portugal?
A. Anyone from an EU country who becomes resident in Portugal and has obtained a Tax and Social Security number has the right to work in Portugal without a permit.
Q. How do I find employment?
A. You may find it useful to contact the EURES Network services. A EURES advisor will provide you with information on the labour market in Portugal. You may find information on the EURES Network at www.europa.eu.int/eures.
You can register with the Public Employment Service (IEFP - Instituto de Emprego e Formacao Profissional www.iefp.pt) who have a network of job centre.
You can consult the Internet for job offers advertised in the Portuguese newspapers most frequently used by employers: Diario de Noticias www.classificados.sapo.pt; Publico www.netjobs.pt; Correio da Manha www.correiomanha.pt; Expresso www.expressoemprego.pt.
Q. Where can I learn Portuguese in the UK?
A. A list of members offering this service is available from the database of members page. If you cannot find one in your area contact the Anglo-Portuguese Society who may be able to help you.
Our answers are for guidance only and we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or misinformation
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