Expert Tax Lawyers Who Deliver Peace of Mind

A Lisbon tax lawyer advises on Portuguese tax residency, personal and corporate tax planning, VAT, property transactions, and cross‑border issues. They liaise with the Portuguese Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária/AT), handle audits and appeals, draft legal opinions, and structure businesses, helping expats reduce risk, remain compliant, and optimise their position.

Fees vary by complexity and seniority. As a guide, hourly rates often range from €150–€300 for associates and €250–€450+ for senior counsel; fixed‑fee first consultations may run €100–€250. Prices are set by each service provider, and you pay them directly; rates are not listed on Locallista.

Yes. Many Lisbon tax lawyers work daily with expatriates and provide services in English, alongside Portuguese and often Spanish, French or German. They can translate AT correspondence, deliver written advice in English, and conduct meetings online or in person, ensuring clarity if you’re unfamiliar with local terminology and procedures.

Accountants handle routine compliance such as registrations, bookkeeping, VAT returns and annual filings. Tax lawyers are best for disputes with the AT, complex cross‑border planning, corporate restructurings, legal opinions and appeals. Many expats use both: an accountant for day‑to‑day compliance and a lawyer for strategic or contentious matters.

Verify they are registered with the Ordem dos Advogados and ask for their professional number. Review independent client feedback, request relevant case examples, and clarify service standards such as response times, scope and reporting. Choose specialists with recent experience advising expats or handling AT audits, appeals and cross‑border tax matters.

Bring your passport or ID, NIF, proof of address and residency status, recent tax returns, payslips or invoices, employment or rental contracts, property purchase/sale papers, bank statements, and any AT letters. If relevant, include company formation documents and overseas tax records to assess double‑taxation risks and available reliefs.

Yes. They advise on Portugal’s residency tests, split‑year treatment and treaty relief, coordinating foreign tax credits and eliminating double taxation where possible. Lawyers also help register or deregister your tax status, assess permanent home ties, and plan arrival or departure timing to minimise exposure across jurisdictions.

The AT typically issues notices with strict deadlines, often 10–30 days to respond. A tax lawyer can prepare submissions, negotiate settlements, challenge assessments administratively, or escalate to court if needed. Timeframes vary from weeks to many months; early advice helps protect rights, reduce penalties, and manage interest.

Yes. They can open your activity as self‑employed, advise on VAT registration or exemption thresholds, set up invoicing (recibos verdes), and align social security. For startups, lawyers structure entities, review shareholder agreements, handle VAT and withholding obligations, and coordinate cross‑border billing to stay compliant from day one.

Absolutely. Most firms offer remote consultations via video call, phone or WhatsApp, with secure document sharing and e‑signatures where appropriate. This is ideal if you’re relocating, travelling, or outside Portugal, enabling quick turnaround on AT queries and ongoing support without needing to visit an office.