Portugal Business structure
Joinery business 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: Joinery business.
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
- Measuring and producing bespoke joinery.
- Fitting purchased doors, wardrobes and components.
- Repairing and adapting existing woodwork.
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.
Connect workshop work to ordering and installation
Break a bespoke order into survey, drawing approval, purchasing, production, delivery and installation. Decide how measurement errors and changes after approval are handled. Panels and production tie up cash before handover, so connect customer deposits to these stages.
Assess installation works against the applicable IMPIC titles. Also check whether the proposed premises suit the machinery with the competent bodies. Gather a workshop layout, extraction and handling requirements and a sample order. A manufacturing workshop and an administrative registered office should not be treated as the same premises requirement.
02 / Next steps for your project
Questions to prepare your application
- Will you manufacture or purchase the items you fit?
- Who approves drawings and dimensions before ordering?
- What premises will house machinery and materials?
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
Content reviewed on