Portugal Business structure
Estate agency in Portugal: self-employed or a company?
Your job title alone does not determine the right structure. Consider how you work, ongoing costs and your plans to move before deciding. These are the points to prepare for your business: Estate agency.
Let’s discuss your project
A few details to understand your business and the next step.
Bertrand Jayol receives your enquiry for an initial assessment. Referral to the partner is considered with your agreement. Privacy
01 / Your business
How you earn shapes the questions to ask
- Sourcing properties and securing agency mandates.
- Arranging viewings and following up offers.
- Commercial support through the agreed transaction.
Choosing a business structure
| Consideration | Self-employed activity | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation | Business carried on in your name; identify the applicable registration steps. | A separate entity; define ownership and management. |
| Administration | Understand the regime applying to your work and the returns required. | Allow for incorporation and organised accounting with a certified accountant. |
| Decision | Consider simplicity and the way your business will operate. | Consider ownership, organisation and recurring costs. |
There is no universal answer based only on your profession or turnover. These points prepare a discussion, not a personalised tax calculation.
Prepare licensing and the sales cycle
An agency established in Portugal carrying out real estate mediation needs an IMPIC licence. Incorporating the company and obtaining the licence are separate steps. Describe management, negotiators and the role of any cooperating agency when preparing the file.
Then map one mandate from the first enquiry through viewing, offer, acceptance and commission payment. Portal subscriptions, photography and travel may be paid well before revenue arrives. Separate expected deals from commissions already earned under the agreement, and show how any commission sharing affects the amount your business retains.
02 / Next steps for your project
Questions to prepare your application
- Will you cover sales, lettings or both?
- Who signs mandates and invoices commission?
- How will you fund listings before the first completed sale?
Portugal
Before you incorporate
Registering as self-employed and incorporating a company are different routes. The choice depends on how your business actually operates. A Portuguese company alone does not determine your tax residence or the treatment of every source of income.
Information to gather
- Your country of residence and where you actually work.
- A description of the services or products you sell.
- Whether your customers are businesses or individuals, and their countries.
- Any shareholders, existing business structure and your planned timing.
Sources and references
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