Portugal Your business

Start your business in Portugal: Catering business

You prepare and deliver food for events or businesses in Portugal. Identify the production kitchen, transport and on-site service: these stages consume time even when the customer does not see them.

Before you incorporate

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

Your circumstances come first Understand the steps ahead No online purchase required

01 / Your business

How you earn shapes the questions to ask

  • Preparing menus for meetings and events.
  • Delivering meals and buffets to order.
  • Setting up and serving at reception venues.

Connect production, transport and service

ASAE provides the food sector's HACCP framework. Have the production kitchen and declared activity checked before accepting orders. Also describe temporary facilities used at event venues.

For a buffet, map purchasing, preparation, storage, departure, setup and equipment return. Identify temperature controls, food information to communicate and checks to organise with competent people. Set a final guest-count date and cost setup and clearing teams. Separate deposits, balances and costs committed if the event is cancelled. Allow time to retrieve reusable equipment after the guests leave rather than treating delivery as the end of the assignment.

02 / Next steps for your project

Questions to prepare your application

  1. Where will food be prepared and stored?
  2. Does the service include staff, tableware and clearing up?
  3. When is the final guest count confirmed?
Tell us about your project

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.

Next steps for your project

Sources and references

Content reviewed on

Tell us about your project

Tell us about your circumstances to prepare the next step.

Bertrand Jayol receives your enquiry for an initial assessment. Referral to the partner is considered with your agreement. Privacy