Portugal Business structure
Recruitment 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: Recruitment 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
- Defining vacancies and searching for candidates.
- Interviewing, shortlisting and presenting applicants.
- Recruitment follow-up and onboarding support.
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.
Separate placement from temporary staffing
IEFP requires prior communication for private placement agencies; temporary employment businesses require a separate licence. Identify the model before preparing the file. A service called HR consulting can contain different activities that need an accurate description.
Prepare a search mandate setting out stages, payment and any replacement arrangement. Plan who accesses applications, how they reach clients and when unnecessary records are removed, with the applicable rules reviewed. Cost searches that do not lead to a hire rather than treating every vacancy as guaranteed commission. Describe whether clients require an exclusive search or compete with other recruitment channels.
02 / Next steps for your project
Questions to prepare your application
- Who becomes the successful candidate's employer?
- Are fees due at instruction or when someone is hired?
- Are the positions in Portugal or another country?
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