How can I register for the new tax regimes for foreigners in Portugal?
Registering for the new tax regimes for foreigners in Portugal is straightforward. You can submit your application through the Finance Portal, which gives access to the necessary forms for the available tax incentives. For those who have not been tax residents in Portugal for the past five years, you become eligible for the IFICI tax regime that offers a preferential IR rate of 20% on certain income. This regime is particularly attractive for expatriates engaged in scientific research and innovation. Beginning in 2025, registration requests can be accepted until March 15, ensuring that you won't miss out on these significant tax benefits. It's essential to ensure your compliance with the application requirements set forth by several agencies, including the Foundation for Science and Technology and IAPMEI. By taking advantage of the IFICI regime, you can also enjoy exemptions on various other income types, a compelling reason for many foreign investors. Don't forget that you must have been absent from the Portuguese tax system for five years before reapplying to benefit from these new regulations. The application process is designed to be user-friendly, enabling a swift transition into these advantageous tax regimes for foreigners. Start your registration today to benefit from these opportunities! Contact us now for further assistance on navigating the registration process!
The order with the model and instructions for filling out the forms is included in an order from the Ministry of Finance, now published in the Official Gazette of the Union, and registrations may be made, exceptionally in 2025, until March 15.
“Taxpayers registered with the AT as residents in Portuguese territory must request their registration for the purposes of the IFICI by January 15 of the year following that in which they become tax residents in Portugal. Exceptionally, in 2025, this deadline is March 15th”, says the diploma.
Registration requests are made on the Finance Portal, and verification of compliance with the requirements is carried out by the AT, Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, AICEP – Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal, National Innovation Agency or Startup Portugal, depending on the requirements relating to the applicant and their activity.
It is necessary not to have been a tax resident in Portugal in the five years prior to registering with IFICI to be able to benefit from this regime, therefore, as was the case with the NHR, emigrants who left Portugal (and changed their tax residence) more than five years ago are eligible.
The IFICI tax regime allows covered professionals to pay an IR rate of 20% on income from dependent and independent work (categories A and B), including exemptions on other income such as capital gains, for example.
