The MIBC
The Madeira International Business Center (MIBC) is a set a set of taxation incentives, granted since the 80s with the objective of attracting inward investment into Madeira, recognized as the most efficient mechanism to modernize, diversify and internationalize the regional economy.
Main Tax Benefits
- Corporate tax rate of 5%, applicable on the taxable income derived from profits of operations exclusively carried out with non-resident entities or with other companies operating within the ambit of the MIBC.
- Access to the Portuguese participation exemption regime.
- Non-resident single and corporate shareholders of Madeira’s IBC companies will benefit from a full exemption from withholding tax on dividend remittances from the Madeira companies, provided that they are not resident in jurisdictions included in Portugal’s “black list”. Moreover, Portuguese corporate shareholders will also be exempt if holding a participation of at least 10% for 12 consecutive months.
- Exemption on capital gains payments to shareholders not resident in black listed jurisdictions.
- No withholding tax on the worldwide payment of interest, royalties and services.
Licensing
Companies wishing to benefit from the above tax benefits need to obtain a license from Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Madeira which if applied for with the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of Madeira. Under the current regime licenses could be applied for until December 31st, 2020. However the European Commission has extended the licensing period until 2023.
The Portuguese Government is expected to legislate on the extension period soon.
Extension Period Background
The European Commission has prolonged, on July 2 the validity of certain State aid rules which would otherwise expire at the end of 2020. In this context, and to take the effects of the current crisis into due consideration, the Commission, after consulting Member States, has decided to make certain targeted adjustments to the existing rules with a view to mitigate the economic and financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak on companies.
To this end, the Commission has adopted a new Regulation amending the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and the de minimis Regulation, and a Communication amending seven sets of State aid guidelines and prolonging those which would otherwise expire on 31 December 2020.
Prolongation of the existing State aid rules
In order to provide predictability and legal certainty, whilst preparing for a possible future update of the State aid rules in the context of the ongoing “fitness check” exercise and of the ongoing evaluation and future review of certain sets of State aid rules set out in the recent European Green Deal and European Industrial Strategy Communications, the Commission has decided to prolong the validity of the following State aid rules, which are due to expire by the end of 2020:
Prolongation by three years (until 2023):
– General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) – under which the Madeira International Business Center (MIBC) is regulated.
– De minimis Regulation
– Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty
After 2020
The Portuguese Government, together with the Madeira Regional Government, is expected to soon start negotiating the 5th MIBC Regime to be applicable to private and corporate investors wishing to relocate or incorporate their businesses with the MIBC framework.
MCS and its multidisciplinary team have more than 20 years of experience in assisting international private and corporate investors with incorporation, accounting and management of MIBC licensed companies. Do not hesitate to contact us.
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Portugal has effectively transposed the European Corporate Tax Avoidance Directive which introduces rules to prevent tax avoidance by companies and thus to address the issue of aggressive tax planning in the EU’s single market. Madeira, being an outermost region of the EU is subject said directive.
The directive applies to all taxpayers that are subject to company tax in one or more EU country, including permanent establishments in one or more EU countries of entities resident for tax purposes in a non-EU country.
The directive lays down anti-tax-avoidance rules in 4 specific fields to combat BEPS, while amending Directive (EU) 2017/952 (which only covered hybrid mismatches within the EU):
- Interest limitation rules: where multinational companies artificially erode their tax base by paying inflated interest payments to affiliated companies in low-tax jurisdictions. The directive aims to dissuade companies from this practice by limiting the amount of interest that a taxpayer has the right to deduct in a tax period. The maximum amount of deductible interest is set at a maximum of 30% of the taxpayer’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation (a measure of how much of an asset’s value has been used up at a given point in time) and amortisation (spreading payments over multiple periods).
- Exit taxation rules: where taxpayers try to reduce their tax liability by transferring its tax residence and/or its assets to a low-tax jurisdiction, solely for the purposes for aggressive tax planning. Exit taxation rules aims to prevent the erosion of the tax base in the EU country of origin when high-value assets are transferred with ownership unchanged, outside the tax jurisdiction of that country. The directive gives taxpayers the option of deferring the payment of the amount of tax over 5 years and settling through staggered payments, but only if the transfer takes place within the EU.
- General anti-abuse rule: this rule aims to cover gaps that may exist in a country’s specific anti-abuse rules against tax avoidance, and allows tax authorities the power to deny taxpayers the benefit of abusive tax arrangements. The general anti-abuse clause of the directive applies to arrangements that are not genuine to the extent that they are not put into place for valid commercial reasons that reflect economic reality.
- Controlled foreign company (CFC) rules: in order to reduce their overall tax liability, corporate groups are able to shift profits to controlled subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions. CFC rules re-attribute the income of a low-taxed controlled foreign subsidiary to its more highly taxed parent company. As a result of this, the parent company is charged to tax on this income in its country of residence.
Rules on hybrid mismatches: where corporate taxpayers take advantage of disparities between national tax systems in order to reduce their overall tax liability, for instance through double deduction (i.e. deduction on both sides of the border) or a deduction of the income on one side of the border without its inclusion on the other side. To neutralise the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements, the directive lays down rules whereby 1 of the 2 jurisdictions in a mismatch should deny the deduction of a payment leading to such an outcome.
For more information on how the Directive might affect your MIBC company or investments in Portugal, or fore detailed information on the transposition mechanism, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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In international taxation one can seldomly have the best of both worlds. However, Portugal is proving otherwise, thanks not only to the Madeira International Business Centre, but also to the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime.
Created in September 23rd, 2009, the NHR regime is a set of personal income tax exemptions and reduced rates aimed at people wishing to transfer their residence to Portugal. Those qualifying for the NHR regime are entitled to the above-mentioned reduced rates for a period of 10 consecutive years.
Among the several tax benefits deriving from the NHR regime, is the tax exemption on foreign sourced income (interests, dividends, capital gains, income from real estate property (rents), royalties, intellectual property income and business income) provided that: these latter types of income can be taxed in the country of origin under a Double Taxation Agreement signed with with Portugal.
Given the above, potential investors with structures in Malta or Switzerland can relocate to Portugal and have peace of mind with respect to dividends/profits distributed by Maltese and Swiss companies (such as a SICAV type company – investment company with variable capital) to their shareholders benefiting from the NHR scheme.
In fact, the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority not only applies full tax exemption on income received from the above entities (as generally foreseen in the Portuguese Personal Income Tax Code), but has also established recently binding information to its taxpayers that dividends paid to NHR shareholders of Maltese companies and SICAVs are exempt from personal income tax in Portugal.
In the light of the Double Taxation Treaty concluded with Malta in Portugal, the tax credit provided to shareholders is assimilated to dividends, taking into account the specificity of the Maltese tax system of imputing income to shareholders.
On the other hand, and although the Portuguese Personal Income Tax Code considers the income paid by a collective investment organization, namely a SICAV, to its participants, is as capital income, in light of the Double Taxation Treaty between Switzerland and Portugal, the same income is considered as dividends.
Further to the above, the same treaty establishes a situation of cumulative tax jurisdiction for this income, with Portugal being able to exercise taxation as the State of residence of the beneficiaries, and Switzerland, as the State of the source. Therefore, under the NHR regime, income deriving from SICAVs will be exempt from taxation in Portugal.
The NHR as a stand-alone option, or together with the corporate tax incentives under the Madeira International Business Center, makes available to international investors. a higher degree of international mobility and liquidity, the latter through a low corporate tax rate of 5% applicable to international services companies.
These features of the Portuguese Tax System make it possible for one to benefit from the best of both worlds.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
MCS and its team have more than 20 years of experience in assisting private clients who want to transfer residence or invest in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Obtaining RNH status requires a careful assessment of the income structure of the potential beneficiary.
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In recent years Portugal has been considered a safe haven for several expats and foreign investors, who in turn have contributed on a large scale to the improvement of the Portuguese economy, by investing in the real estate sector, sometimes simultaneously associated with the tourism sector, namely in local accommodation (short terms tourist rentals, known in Portugal as alojamento local), or because many wish to relocate their life and busines activity, permanently, to the country.
Several programs were launched to attract these investors and expats, including programs with attractive tax benefits such as the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime, or the “Golden Visa“, a residence by investment program of which most of the investments were made through the acquisition of real estate property.
In recent years, these programs have led to an exponential increase of real estate acquisition, especially in large urban and tourist areas, which has also contributed emphatically to the growth of the tourism sector, since a large percentage of real estate acquisition has been allocated to local accommodation.
Despite the crisis arising from the pandemic outbreak of Covid-19, the “Golden Visa” maintains a good level of adherence and demand by investors. In May of this year, there was a new increase in the value of real estate investment, a total of 137 million euros, the highest monthly investment value since March 2017.
Despite the message of confidence passed on by investors during the crisis, the global pandemic has exacerbated some socio-economic effects that were already worrying the Portuguese government, especially housing in large urban areas.
The strong demand for profitable properties, under the “Golden Visa” program, coupled with the growth of tourism activity in Portugal, and consequently the growing investment in local accommodation, has aggravated the price of housing rentals, especially in the large urban centers where the majority of real estate investment is made, and where the highest percentages of local accommodation.
On June 6, 2020, Resolution of the Council of Ministers No 41/2020 was published, approving the Economic and Social Stabilization Program, which contains measures for the conversion of local accommodation.
There is great uncertainty as to the direction of the tourism sector, how and when it will rise and how the sustainability of housing prices and rentals will be in these times of pandemic. Tourism has held back its breath, and those who have invested in local accommodation may need an oxygen balloon in the short-term.
In view of the urgency of responding to the middle-income population in obtaining affordable housing leases and the fact that the tourism sector, in particular local accommodation, is experiencing major difficulties due to restrictions on international travel, the measure of reconversion of local accommodation could be a response in order to combat both problems.
The measure itself is implemented through the Portuguese government’s support to municipal rental and sub-rental programs for more affordable rents. In these programs public entities pay 50% of the difference between the rental income paid and the rental income received, which will certainly give increased security to the landlord, because 50% of the income is guaranteed by public entities.
To the above benefit there is also an important advantage concerning personal income tax and corporate income tax exemption, on rental income resulting from the lease or sub-lease, as stipulated by Article 20 of Decree-Law No. 68/2019.
This option concerning the conversion of local accommodation into long term rentals may be even more appealing, considering the amendment to Article 3(9) of the Personal Income Tax Code, carried out by the 2020 State Budget. Such change foresees that the local accommodation does not generate a capital gain when the property is transferred back to the owner’s estate, if said property is immediately assigned to generated long term rental income.
With this measure, a potential solution remains open for investors who have earmarked their real estate investments for local accommodation, and who now want to secure a source of income, which although not as attractive as that obtained in many cases through local accommodation, is in the current scenario of economic crisis, a more sustainable and stable source of income.
auctor Pedro Marrana
MCS and its team has more than 20 years of experience in assisting corporate and private clients wishing to relocate to Madeira. For more information on our services please do no not hesitate to contact us.
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Nos últimos anos Portugal tem sido considerado um refúgio seguro para diversos expatriados e investidores estrangeiros, que por sua vez têm contribuído em grande escala para a melhoria da economia portuguesa, quer pelo investimento feito no sector imobiliário, ou do imobiliário simultaneamente associado ao sector turismo, nomeadamente apostando no alojamento local, ou ainda pelo facto de muitos realocarem a sua vida e atividade, de uma forma permanente, para o território português.
Foram lançados diversos programas para a captação destes investidores e expatriados, contemplando programas com aliciantes benefícios fiscais como é o caso do regime do Residente Não Habitual, ou programas de “Golden Visa”, onde é atribuída autorização de residência através do investimento no território nacional, tendo a maioria do investimento sido realizado através da aquisição de imóveis.
Nos últimos anos, os referidos programas promoveram um aumento exponencial na aquisição imobiliária, especialmente nos grandes meios urbanos e turísticos, o que também contribuiu de forma enfática no crescimento do sector do turismo, acima de tudo pelo facto de vasta percentagem da aquisição imobiliária ter sido alocada para o sector do alojamento local.
Apesar da crise instalada por conta do surto pandémico da Covid-19, o “Golden Visa” manteve um bom nível de adesão e procura pelos investidores, visto que em Maio do corrente ano, ocorreu um novo aumento no valor do investimento imobiliário, na ordem dos 137 milhões de euros, tendo sido o valor mensal de investimento mais elevado desde Março de 2017.
Não obstante a mensagem de confiança passada pelos investidores em plena situação de crise, a pandemia global veio a agudizar alguns efeitos socioeconómicos que já vinham a preocupar o Estado português, especialmente no campo da habitação dos grandes meios urbanos.
A forte procura por imóveis rentabilizáveis, por parte dos investidores do programa dos “Golden Visa”, aliado ao crescimento da atividade turística em Portugal, e consequentemente do crescente investimento no alojamento local, veio a agravar a crise na sustentabilidade do arrendamento habitacional, especialmente nos grandes polos urbanos onde é efetuado a maioria do investimento imobiliário, e onde se encontram as maiores percentagens de alojamentos mobilados para turistas.
A 06 de Junho de 2020, foi publicada a Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 41/2020 na qual foi aprovado o Programa de Estabilização Económica e Social, onde consta uma medida de Reconversão de Alojamento Local.
A realidade atual é de uma grande incerteza quanto ao rumo do sector do turismo, de como este se irá reerguer, em quanto tempo, e como será a sustentabilidade do alojamento local nestes tempos de combate à pandemia. O turismo susteve a respiração, e quem investiu no alojamento local poderá necessitar a curto-médio prazo de um balão de oxigénio.
Tendo em conta a urgência de dar resposta à população com rendimentos intermédios, na obtenção de arrendamento habitacional, e pelo facto de o sector do turismo, nomeadamente do alojamento local, estar a atravessar grandes dificuldades devido às restrições nas deslocações internacionais, esta medida de reconversão de alojamento local poderá ser uma resposta por forma a combater ambas as dificuldades.
A medida em si é concretizada através do apoio do Estado Português a programas municipais de arrendamento e subarrendamento com rendas mais acessíveis, sendo que as entidades públicas comparticipam em 50% a diferença entre a renda paga e a renda recebida, o que dará certamente uma segurança acrescida ao senhorio, pelo facto de 50% da renda ser garantida pelas entidades públicas.
Ainda acresce uma importante vantagem pela isenção de tributação em sede de IRS ou IRC, sobre os rendimentos prediais resultantes do contrato de arrendamento ou subarrendamento, conforme estipulado pelo artigo 20.º do Decreto-Lei n.º 68/2019.
Esta opção pela reconversão do alojamento local para o arrendamento poderá ser ainda mais apelativa, tendo em conta a alteração do n.º 9 do artigo 3.º do CIRS, levada a cabo pelo Orçamento de Estado de 2020, passando a não ser considerada como mais-valia a transferência para o património particular do empresário de bem imóvel habitacional que seja imediatamente afeto à obtenção de rendimentos da categoria F.
Com esta medida, fica em aberto uma potencial solução para os investidores que destinaram os seus investimentos imobiliários ao alojamento local, e que pretendam agora garantir uma fonte de rendimento, que embora não seja tão atractiva como a que era obtida em muitos casos através do alojamento local, é no atual cenário de crise económica, uma fonte de rendimento mais sustentável e estável.
auctor Pedro Marrana
A equipa da MCS conta com mais de 20 anos de experiência em consultoria fiscal a empresas e indivíduos. Se necessitar da nossa assistência entre em contacto connosco.
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Starting July 1, Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal, will be open to international travelers. To ensure security for both visitors and residents, all people traveling to the Atlantic islands will have to either present a negative test done within 72 hours prior to departure or be tested upon arrival (without any costs; COVID-19 tests on arrival will be paid for by the Madeira Government).
The Madeira Islands, Discover Madeira says, are focused on being a COVID-safe destination and are working with SGS, a world leader in certification, to ensure good practice across the destination to minimize risk in the wake of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
In May, Madeira developed a good practices document to deal with COVID-19. These measures are intended to provide comfort to those who travel and, ultimately, for the wellbeing of all. These three initiatives—to cover testing costs, partner with SGS in certification and develop a good practices document—form the destination’s plan to ensure a safe vacation for all visitors.
Good to know: According to Discover Madeira, the Portuguese island had very few cases of COVID-19 and acted quickly to control the virus on the archipelago. Portugal, overall, has been commended for its response to coronavirus. At present, Madeira has registered 90 positive cases of COVID-19, 67 recovered cases and no deaths.
Of volcanic origin, its location provides a mild climate and sea all year round, in addition to scenery of mountains, valleys and cliffs, all covered by the Laurissilva vegetation, named Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The archipelago is formed by a set of islands, the main and only inhabited being Madeira and Porto Santo.
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Offering unique corporate and personal tax advantages to expats and digital nomads, Madeira is a reference in Portugal for those looking to work and live in the sun. We at MCS have more than 20 years of experience in assisting companies, expats, digital nomads and entrepreneurs relocating to the Pearl of the Atlantic.
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Netherlands to change tax law by introducing withholding tax on dividends.
The change is expected to come into effect in 2024, and to be only applicable to dividends sent to countries that have a corporate tax rate of under 9 percent and are included in the EU’s blacklist of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.
Still in the draft-making, the proposed tax is foreseen to be implemented in combination with a withholding tax on interest and royalty payments that will be effective in 2021.
According to the Dutch State Secretary for Finance, Hans Vijlbrief, “this additional withholding tax represents another major step in our fight against tax avoidance,” as “financial flows channelled from or through the Netherlands to another country where they are not or not sufficiently taxed, will soon no longer go untaxed.” The State Secretary for Finance also stressed that “it’s now vital to make even better international agreements to prevent other countries being used for tax avoidance purposes”.
This expected change to Netherland’s tax law shows that the Netherlands has ceded to international pressure regarding claims that the country used for tax evasion.
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The Netherlands and the Madeira International Business Center (MIBC)
Although at a first glance one would expect that such measure could ruin international groups of companies where money flows exist between the MIBC (given it 5% corporate tax rate) and the Netherlands it is important to mention the following:
- The MIBC is not an offshore jurisdiction, but a form of State Aid duly approved and regulated by European Union authorities and Portuguese authorities;
- Companies operating with the MIBC are subject to state of the art economic substance requirements (without which the 5% corporate income tax rate is not granted);
- The Netherlands cannot discriminate, under EU-Law, a Member State nor their outermost regions.
Further to the above, once concludes that the foreseen tax changes affecting Netherlands do not affect companies licensed to operate within the Madeira International Business Centre. In fact company formation (or company incorporation) in Portugal, for international services, is much more efficient within the scope of the MIBC.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
MCS and its team has more than 20 years of experience in assisting corporate and private clients wishing to invest in Portugal or within the Madeira International Business Center. For more information on our services please do no not hesitate to contact us.
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Not many investors think of company formation in Portugal, and those who consider Portugal might to know why Madeira is the place to be.
“Portugal’s history is made of discoveries, entrepreneurship, creativity and permanent innovation. Portugal is a modern, sophisticated, and future-oriented country. Capable of combining tradition and innovation in what we do in a surprising way. A welcoming country, filled with sunshine, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique gastronomy. Open and multicultural, the country can gather the best of its experience and knowledge to originate solutions that push forward global businesses. Portugal, a country that will surprise you.”
One thing that surprises all investors in Portugal is its corporate tax system, more specifically the one available under the Madeira International Business Centre (MIBC).
A favourable tax landscape
Developed in the 1980s, the MIBC was conceived by the Portuguese Government to attract international investment, namely international services providers in the areas of international trading, e-business and telecommunications, management services, consulting services, as well as the ownership of intellectual property, the development of real estate investments or the holding of participations.
Type of entity incorporated | MIBC | Autonomous Region of Madeira | Portuguese Mainland |
| Resident entities and permanent establishments of non-resident entities | 5% | 20% | 21% |
| Resident entities characterized as a small or medium enterprises, on the first € 25 000 of taxable profit | 13% | 17% |
Add the competitive corporate taxation regime to the tax benefits available to expats and former Portuguese emigrants wishing to relocate to Portugal, the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. And one will find a comprehensive and desirable tax regime to expand one’s international business to Portugal. In fact, under the NHR tax regime those qualifying can benefit from a unique personal income tax treatment over a 10-year period, which included the possibility of enjoying a 10-year tax exemption on almost all foreign source income.
Company formation / incorporation
Generally speaking, in order for one to incorporate a company in Portugal, the following steps need to be followed:
- Verify the business name and make a reservation with the Portuguese Commercial Register.
- Appoint a legal representative for the company in Portugal.
- Draft the Articles of Association with information about the owners, business activities, etc.
- Open a bank account for depositing the share capital.
- Apply for licenses and permits in accordance with the company’s activities.
- Register for tax purposes and social contributions in Portugal.
Those looking into incorporating a company within the MIBC need to apply for a MIBC license. The license’s application (to be submitted in Portuguese language) must be filed to Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Madeira, the official concessionaire of the MIBC, in two copies, addressed to the Cabinet of the Vice-President of the Regional Government of Madeira in the name of an existing company, in Portugal or abroad, or of a company to be incorporated. Branches of existing companies may also be licensed.
All relevant information concerning the activity to be performed by the company must be included in the license application, namely:
- Company name and address.
- Activity to be undertaken and respective NACE code (European nomenclature of the Economic Activity).
- Total value of the investment.
- Indication of the number of jobs to be created.
In the case of a successful application, the license is deemed to be granted in favour of the company once the applicant furnishes proof of the formation and registration of such company. All documents in support of the license application must be duly translated into Portuguese and legalized.
Types of companies
Most investors opt for a private limited company (sociedade por quotas – LDA) where liability is limited by the contribution to the capital. LDA type of companies must established by at least two founders with a minimum share capital of EUR 2, although it is recommended that it should be at least of EUR 1000. All the shareholders must bring a contribution to the capital and their liability is limited to that contribution. Management of the company is assured by a director appointed by the general meeting of the shareholders.
Sole investors, lacking a business partner, can opt to incorporate a sole shareholder company (sociedade unipessoal por quoatas – Uni. LDA). Under this type of company, the minimum share capital is EUR 1, although it is recommended that it should be at least of EUR 1000. Uni. LDA’s liability is limited by the contribution to the capital.
On the other hand, if investors opt to incorporate a public company (sociedade anónima – SA) which requires a minimum share capital of EUR 50 000. SA companies and at least 5 shareholders. Like LDAs their liability is limited to their contribution to the capital. The management of this type of companies is assured by a board of directors which is monitored by a supervisory board, both appointed by the general meeting of the shareholders. In addition, SA companies are required, by law, to appoint a certified public accountant.
Other types of companies can be incorporated under the Portuguese Commercial Code, such as limited partnerships and general partnerships, nevertheless these are seldomly chosen by investors and their partners.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
MCS and its team has more than 20 years of experience in assisting corporate and private clients wishing to invest in Portugal or within the Madeira International Business Center. For more information on our services please do no not hesitate to contact us.
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Portugal is asserting itself as a major start-up destination in Europe, and with that hundreds of techies are willing to relocate to Europe’s oldest country. But it is not just the Web Summit’s new capital, Lisbon, who’s attracting new residents, the Algarve and Madeira are also getting their share. The southern Portuguese most richest regions have an agreement with Saint Peter (all-year-round good weather) and therefore are attracting not freshly retired residents from Central and Northern Europe every year, but also digital nomads looking for good weather and inspiration.
A Land of Tax Opportunities
Smart Tax Incentives for New Residents
The Portuguese Government is not relying on the country’s “good looks” to attract investment, in fact, it has resorted to an interesting tax policy aimed at luring and securing foreign investment in the long term. The tax policy? Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime.
The NHR Regime is a special tax residency status, applicable to all those who fall under the following conditions, regardless of nationality or age:
- Be a tax resident under Portuguese domestic legislation; and
- Not have been taxed as a Portuguese resident in the five years prior to taking up residence in Portugal.
Provided you check the previous requirements, you can benefit from a total tax exemption on foreign source employment, professional, dividends, interest, capital gains and rental incomes. As for pensions, these are taxed at a flat rate of 10%. All you need to do is to make sure that those incomes are either taxed at source, in accordance with the applicable tax treaty or that are not deemed as derived from Portugal nor from a tax haven (in the case of dividends, interests, capital gains and rents).
In case you work in Portugal and earn either employment or professional income from a Portuguese source, then those incomes will only be liable to a 20% flat tax rate, provided the job performed is deemed as a high-added value profession by law.
Reduced Tax Costs for International Businesses
Apart from the NHR Regime applicable to anyone relocating to Portuguese territory and complying with the regime’s conditions, digital nomads, freelancers, international consultants and international services providers can reduce their tax-related operational costs through the International Business Center of Madeira. This preferential and highly efficient tax regime grants significant advantages to companies structured in Madeira Island, of which I highlight the following:
- 5% corporate tax (against mainland’s 21% or Madeira’s 20%), in all international operations.
- Total exemption from withholding tax on dividend remittances from the Madeira companies, for non-resident shareholders.
- Exemption on capital gains payments, for non-resident shareholders.
- Access the participation exemption regime.
Why Madeira, of all other places in Portugal?
Weather: Geographically located off the coast of Africa, Madeira is certainly European. The currency is the euro, the culture is European and politically speaking Madeira is 100% Portuguese. And yet the climate is sub-tropical with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees centigrade even in the winter, and a high level of rainfall in the mountainous interior ensures the island is very green for the majority of the year.
Reduced operational costs: Madeira offers low operational costs when in comparison with other European countries. In fact, the cost of human resources and the price of several goods and services are very competitive when directly compared with other European locations, allowing companies to face considerably lower costs when establishing operations in Madeira.
Connectivity: Business wise, Madeira has a highly qualified workforce and most of the people speak and understand the English. Add that to the fact the its Cristiano Ronaldo Airport connects you to most of European capitals (Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Zurich, London, Berlin…) and it is easy to understand why the tech start up scene is developing.
In terms of international communications connectivity, Madeira is connected to a Submarine Cable Station connecting Europe to Africa and the Americas, hosted in the “Madeira Datacenter”, operating several international optical submarine cables, allowing interconnectivity with national and international SDH networks and providing, as such, significant advantages in terms of quality, cost, bandwidth and scalability.
Safety: Madeira is Portugal’s safest region, with a criminality rate of just 26 criminal cases per thousand inhabitants.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
MCS has more than 20 years of experience in assisting private and corporate clients making their move to Portugal. Find out how we can help and do not hesitate to contact us.
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Portugal and its national merchant navy have recently been the subject of very positive analyzes by both the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations (UN). The reason: the International Ship Registry of Madeira (MAR)
In the case of the OECD, the country has been highlighted by the steady growth of its fleet since 2013, due to the work done under the MAR. The compliments to the Portuguese flag came from an OECD study in which Portugal is named one of the few flag states in Europe that have had constant success in growing their fleet over the last few years.
As for the United Nations, the most recent data confirm Portugal’s entry in the top 15 of the world records due to MAR.
In regards to the EU, it is confirmed that the International Register of Madeira Ships is the 3rd behind Malta and Cyprus, as the United Kingdom and Greece bring together several registers.
In recent years, in various international forums and agencies, the quality and growth of the Portuguese-flagged merchant navy has been widely recognized, based on analyzes that have the denominator of the International Register of Madeira Ships, and which unquestionably place the country among the most respected and competitive in the world in this sector.
This was the case for the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reports on the performance of ship registrations, placing Portugal at the level of the best in the world, and for other reports issued by international bodies and entities such as the Memorandum Committee (MOU) of Paris and the American Coast Guard Qualship Index.
It should be noted that the exponential growth of the MAR has provided Portugal with a quality fleet, having contributed decisively to the country and, consequently, also to Europe, having more weight in the large international maritime forums, namely in the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where the major issues related to the sea and maritime transport are discussed and decided.
The most recent data show that the Madeira International Ship Registry continues to show a positive upward trend. Since the end of 2018, over a period of six months, MAR has seen an increase of 27 more commercial vessels. With a total of 653 vessels registered on 30 June, MAR maintains its top position among European international registrations, both in number of vessels and in tonnage.
fons SDM – Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Madeira
Our team at MCS has more than 20 years of experience in assisting ship owners, chartering companies and yachting companies in registering their vessels and yachts in the Madeira International Shipping Register and in incorporating and managing the respective companies within the Madeira International Business Center. For more information do not hesitate to contact us.
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