UK company and Portuguese tax residency (NHR)

[Chatterbox]

Hi everyone!

I'm taking the plunge from salaried office work to freelancing as a consultant. I had a few questions, and despite having trawled the forum, could fully answer them. I'm a complete newbie when it comes to questions of tax and residence, so any help is appreciated.

I'm German with long term roots in the Uk. Most of my clients will be based there, and opening a UK company is cheaper, easier and more reputable than doing so in my new residency country. I'm aiming to become non-habitual resident of Portugal, because they offer 20% flat tax and more sunshine.

Is this setup workable, and will I have to double file all tax returns? In the NHR regime it says that dividends from non-portugese income will not be taxed, does that mean the UK will do so instead?

Thanks a ton in advance,

F

[Fred Bloggs]

The short answer is yes it does. Download and read the UK/Portugal dual tax treaty and will be quite clear to you who has "first dibs" on your income.

[Lance]

Portuguese tax relief on dividends is limited. i.e. it's not just a blanket 'all dividends aren't taxed'. There are English guides on it but the ones I've read are from companies selling schemes.

I'd advise OP to seek professional advice from a Portuguese tax lawyer before attempting this avoidance scheme.