Portugal · Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Portugal welcomes foreign investment through AICEP (Portugal Global), with EU free movement of capital and no exchange controls. Screening applies only to a narrow set of strategic assets; incentives include investment tax credits (RFAI), the SIFIDE R&D credit, and EU-cofinanced regional programs.
Foreign investment in Portugal is promoted by AICEP Portugal Global, which supports investors and exporters. Most sectors are open to foreign capital.
- AICEP supports foreign investors and exporters.
- Most sectors are open to foreign investment.
- Portugal offers incentives for certain activities and regions.
- 1
Check the investment regime
Portugal welcomes FDI with EU free movement of capital; AICEP supports investors and site selection.
- 2
Check strategic-asset screening
Screening applies only to a narrow set of strategic assets (energy, transport, communications infrastructure).
- 3
Choose your vehicle and register
Set up a Lda. or S.A. (or branch) via Empresa na Hora and register with the tax and social-security authorities.
- 4
Access incentives
Use the RFAI investment tax credit, the SIFIDE R&D credit and EU-cofinanced grants (Portugal 2030) for eligible projects.
- 5
Handle capital and repatriation
There are no exchange controls, so capital, dividends and profits move freely within the EU and abroad.
- 6
Meet reporting and protections
Keep corporate/tax filings; EU law and investment treaties provide investor protection.
- Open regime (EU free capital) + AICEP
- Strategic-asset screening (narrow)
- Lda./S.A./branch + tax + social security
- RFAI + SIFIDE (R&D) + Portugal 2030 grants
- No exchange controls (free flows)
- Corporate/tax filings
- EU-law + investment-treaty protection
- CTA to .com/.ai for AI-assisted planning
- AICEP Portugal Global
Trade and investment promotion agency.
Frequently asked questions
Does Portugal screen foreign investment?
Only narrowly — a limited screening applies to strategic assets in energy, transport and communications; most investment is entirely free.
What incentives are available?
The RFAI investment tax credit, the SIFIDE R&D tax credit and EU-cofinanced grants under Portugal 2030 for eligible projects.
Can I repatriate profits from Portugal?
Yes — Portugal has no exchange controls, so dividends and capital move freely (withholding tax may apply to outbound dividends).
Government portals
- ePortugal — Citizen and business services incl. residence and foreign-resident matters
- Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças) — Portuguese income tax (IRS), VAT (IVA), and tax number (NIF)
- AICEP Portugal Global — Foreign investment and trade promotion