Portugal Business structure
Property finder 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: Property finder.
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
- Buyer brief analysis and property shortlisting.
- Viewings and reports for remote purchasers.
- Offer follow-up and coordination with purchase advisers.
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.
Explain the search mandate and whose interests you represent
Map a remote buyer's journey from budget and financing through essential criteria, viewing and decision. Agree how changes of area or budget are approved. Separate your commercial assessment from technical and legal checks carried out by other professionals. The agreement should make clear when your fee becomes payable.
Have the proposed scope assessed against IMPIC real estate mediation licensing, particularly when searching and negotiating for a buyer. Disclose proposed agency payments in the project file so the client can understand who is involved and whose interests each party represents.
02 / Next steps for your project
Questions to prepare your application
- Does the buyer, an agency or more than one party pay you?
- Do you negotiate price and transaction terms directly?
- How do you document criteria and rejected properties?
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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