Portugal Country of residence
Starting in Portugal while resident in Canada
Begin with your Canadian residential ties and the proposed Portuguese operation. A foreign company does not determine your departure status or the treatment of income and assets you retain.
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 a gradual move
Suppose you live in Quebec, temporarily keep your home and plan guest accommodation in Portugal. Your partner might remain in Canada while you look for a property. Record the actual stages, travel and person responsible for operating decisions. A scouting visit, purchasing real estate and settling permanently should not be collapsed into one assumed departure date, particularly if your household moves in stages.
Review residential ties
The Canada Revenue Agency considers residential ties when assessing departure circumstances. Canadian income and assets can also require specific steps. Avoid reaching a conclusion based only on a day count. Prepare an inventory of retained connections and have the departure-year return reviewed together with possible consequences for the relevant assets. The company's Portuguese registration date does not replace that evidence or answer those personal questions.
Prepare contacts and supporting records
Collect housing and household details, accounts, shareholdings, contracts, expected income and the proposed timetable. Identify banks and payers to notify if you become non-resident, following the process confirmed for your circumstances. State nationality separately: Canadian residents are not necessarily Canadian citizens, and incorporating a company does not replace assessment of the right to reside and work in Portugal.
Coordinate ownership and operations
For guest accommodation, distinguish the property purchase, choice of owner and identity of the operator. Allow for a preparation period without accommodation revenue. Your next step is a shared chronology for Canadian and Portuguese advisers, showing retained assets, project funding and unresolved decisions. Use the confirmed scenario to schedule personal steps and avoid treating an exploratory project as a completed relocation.
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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