The notice with the list of qualified professions and economic activities recognised by the two bodies for the purposes of registration in the new tax incentive for scientific research and innovation (IFICI+), which replaced the non-habitual resident (NHR) regime, has been published.

These professions are in addition to those already included in the ordinance published in December, which regulates the registration of beneficiaries in the aforementioned regime.

According to the notices from IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation and AICEP – Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal, the following jobs are considered qualified for the purposes of the tax incentive for scientific research and innovation:

  • General director and executive manager of companies;
  • Directors of administrative and commercial services;
  • Hotel, restaurant and retail managers;
  • Specialists in physical, mathematical, engineering and related technical sciences;
  • Doctors;
  • University and higher education teachers;
  • Experts in finance, accounting, information and communication technology;
  • Directors;
  • Related film, theatre, television and radio producers and directors;
  • Technicians and professions in science and engineering, intermediate level.

Among the activities recognised by AICEP and IAPMEI as relevant to the national economy are some professions in accommodation, catering, education, health, the manufacturing industry or information and communication activities, consultancy, financial or insurance, among others.

In addition to the list of professions and activities, the notice states that "any economic activities pursued by investment projects recognised as being of Potential National Interest (PIN) and also by Investment Projects for the Interior (PII) are also covered".

The assessment of applications for registration of individuals in IFICI will be carried out by AICEP (for companies with turnover above 75 million euros) and by IAPMEI (turnover below 75 million euros) or when they continue their activity within the scope of a project classified as PIN or PII.

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.

To benefit from the regime, interested parties cannot have had tax residence in Portugal in the five years prior to registration, nor benefit from NHR or Regressar (for former residents who returned to Portugal).