The scheme, to summarise, is to allow those who choose Portugal as their base – for establishing their business or exercising a respective professional activity in Portugal – to benefit from a basket of tax advantages.

The key benefits, available for 10 calendar years from the time they become tax resident in Portugal, are summarised as follows:
  • 20% flat tax rate on qualifying Portuguese income.
  • Exclusion from tax for foreign-sourced business profits, employment, royalties, dividends, interest, rents, and capital gains.
  • Only foreign pensions and income from blacklisted jurisdictions remain taxable.

Requirements for the New NHR:
Those intending to benefit from the new NHR can do so provided they comply with the following set of requirements:

1. Application Deadline: Applications must generally be submitted before 15 January of the following year after becoming tax resident in Portugal (Portugal’s tax years run in line with calendar years). A transitional period applies for those who became tax resident between 1st January and 31st December 2024, with a deadline of 15 March 2025.

2. Prior Non-Residency: Individuals must generally not have been tax residents in Portugal in the five years preceding their application.

3. Qualified Professions: To be eligible, individuals must be employed in at least one highly qualified profession, including:
  • Company Directors
  • Specialists in physical sciences, mathematics, engineering (excluding architects, urban planners, surveyors, and designers)
  • Industrial product or equipment designers
  • Doctors
  • University and higher education teachers
  • Specialists in information and communication technologies

4. Qualification Criteria: Highly qualified professionals typically require a
i. minimum of a bachelor’s degree (equivalent to Level 6 on the European Qualifications Framework); and
ii. at least three years of relevant professional experience.

5. Business Eligibility: to qualify for the Portuguese NHR under the business eligibility criteria, individuals must be employed by companies that meet specific requirements, namely:
  • Eligible businesses must operate within specific economic activity codes (CAE) as outlined in the Ministerial Order.
  • Companies must demonstrate that at least 50% of their turnover is derived from exports.
  • Eligible sectors include extractive industries, manufacturing, information and communication, R&D in physical and natural sciences, higher education, and human health activities.

6. Application Process:
  • Specific forms must be submitted to the relevant authorities (which may include the tax authorities) for eligibility verification. This is something Dixcart Portugal may assist with.

7. Application Documents: Required documents may include:
  • Copy of employment contract (or scientific grant)
  • Up-to-date company registration certificate
  • Proof of academic qualifications
  • Statement from the employer confirming compliance with the activity and eligibility requirements
Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

8. Annual Confirmation:
  • The Portuguese tax authorities will confirm the NHR 2.0 status annually by 31st March.
  • Taxpayers must maintain records demonstrating that they carried out the qualifying activity and generated the corresponding income during the applicable years and provide this evidence upon request to benefit from the respective tax advantages.

9. Changes and Termination:
  • If there are changes to the original application details that affect the competent authority or the entity verifying the value-added activity, a new application must be filed.
  • In case of any changes to or termination of the qualifying activity, taxpayers are required to inform the relevant entities by 15th January of the following year.

Contact Us
Dixcart Portugal provide a host of services to international clients. Reach out for more information (advice.portugal@dixcart.com).

Note that the above must not be considered as tax advice and is for discussion purposes only.