Portugal Growing your company
Hiring your Portuguese company’s first employee
A first hire adds responsibilities to an existing company. Prepare the role, full cost and starting arrangements before treating employment as just another monthly outgoing.
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
Describe the actual work need
You currently deliver professional cleaning alone and want someone for recurring contracts. Write down tasks, sites, hours, journeys and the person supervising the work. Compare permanent demand, fluctuating workload and cover. Do not classify the relationship solely by the contract's title: have the real working arrangement examined if you are deciding between employment and an independent service provider for substantially the same duties.
Organise steps before arrival
The official service provides for reporting a worker's admission to Segurança Social. Assign that step and other applicable checks to named people, with deadlines confirmed for the circumstances. Review the contract, payroll, insurance and workplace health and safety with appropriate specialists. Existing company registration does not demonstrate that every preparation required to act as an employer has already been completed or that someone else automatically handles it.
Model the role's cash needs
Beyond pay, identify costs to quantify for contributions, equipment, training, travel and supervision. Test a start where customers pay after initial staff outgoings. A seasonal position and an annual role have different cash calendars. Plan service continuity during absence instead of assuming the founder can always provide immediate cover, and identify which equipment must be available from the first working day.
Prepare the starting file
Gather the role description, proposed terms, intended date and candidate information needed for the confirmed process. Review the right to work separately using the person's circumstances. Your next step is coordinated validation with payroll and relevant advisers, followed by an assigned checklist before work begins. Hiring does not automatically require formation of another company; it develops the existing employer's operation.
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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