In recent months we have seen a trend of Americans moving to Portugal or inquiring about the advantages available to them in this European Union Member-State.
Portugal itself is a unique budget destination, having a surprisingly affordable cost of living, and an ideal place to either retire and invest in the sun, by providing unique tax benefits for those effectively relocating to the country. But what many Americans do not know is that Portugal’s Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira Island, offers all the perks available in the mainland and sophisticated and affordable Island living.
Just under a two-hour flight from Lisbon, Madeira Island combines European flare, tropical vibes and unique tax perks for expats wishing to retire or find peace of mind to conduct their business from the comfort of a peaceful island connected directly to other major European capitals—including Paris, Brussels, London, Berlin, and Zürich.
Getting Residency in Madeira
Unless you also hold a European Union passport or your spouse is an European Union citizen, you will have to, generally speaking, apply for a residency visa at the Portuguese Embassy with jurisdiction over of the country where you currently live.
There are different types of visa that you can choose from including passive income visa (also known as a D7), visa to conduct business (either as a free-lancer or as a business owner), among others. Alternatively once can also apply for a Residency Permit for Investment Purposes, also known as the Golden Visa, therefore skipping application for a visa with the Portuguese Embassy prior to travelling to Madeira.
Digital Nomads and Pensioners
Digital nomads and pensioners wishing to relocate to Madeira Island, Portugal, may be eligible to the very sought after Non-Habitual Resident scheme, a set of tax benefits available to those effectively taking up tax residency on the island. Under the NHR scheme foreign sourced income is exempt from personal income taxation in Portugal (Madeira island included), while some types of Portuguese sourced income may be subject to special flat rates.
To digital nomads and internet entrepreneurs, who usually need a good internet connection to generate their income, Madeira offers incredible internet speeds, when compared to mainland Europe. This is because Madeira benefits from a Submarine Cable Station, 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.
Another available infrastructure is the Internet Gateway provided by Marconi Internet Direct (MID). This MID offers international Internet access without any kind of contention and using diversity in the access to international backbones.
The IP platform has its international connectivity distributed by: 3 PoPs (London, Amsterdam and Paris), peering connections with hundreds of major international ISPs and IP transits to Europe and the USA.
On the other hand, pensioners (and digital nomads) moving to the island will be surprised with the stress-free day-to-day life and the cultural offerings are immensely diverse for an island. Museums with Flemish and religious art, churches hosting organ music festivals, monthly symphonic orchestra and chamber music concerts, gastronomical and traditional folk festivals throughout the year, and recurring art exhibitions are just some examples of Madeira’s active cultural scene.
Launching your business
Unlike the Portuguese mainland, Madeira Island offers unique tax perks to those wishing to open a company in Portugal. Benefiting from a unique tax regime, known as the Madeira International Business Center (MIBC), Madeira is the only region in Portugal offering a 5% corporate income tax rate to companies whose profits are derived from non-resident entities.
English is the way
The strong bond with the British community is also seen in Madeira’s medical and law sectors. You’ll have no trouble finding English-speaking doctors or lawyers catering to the expat community.
If you are looking into relocating with your kids you will be pleased to know that Madeira has international kindergartens and schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
With rents and restaurant prices an average 10.5% lower than those in the Algarve, and up to 80,5% lower than in Lisbon, Madeira is one of the most affordable places to spend live in this part of the world. Utility costs are lower here, too — electricity is as much as 21.8% lower than in the Algarve, internet 11.2% less costly.
The founding of Madeira Corporate Services (MCS) dates back to 1995. MCS started as a private and corporate service provider in the Madeira International Business Center and rapidly became one of the leading management firms. As a result of its position in the market, the quality of the services it has been providing for over a decade and full compliance with business ethics, MCS was awarded the Merit Certificate by SDM – Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Madeira.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
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A evolução da moeda tem se elevado a um patamar completamente digital, podendo atualmente não ter representação física, estando apenas numa conta bancária sob a forma de registo informático, consistindo num valor monetário registado, por exemplo no seu smartphone.
A criptomoeda nada mais é que códigos digitais as quais lhes são atribuídos determinados valores controlados por um sistema de dados, onde se guardam os registos de transações permanente, protegendo a criptomoeda de ser falsificada ou roubada.
Em termos gerais, e segundo uma definição do banco Central Europeu, as criptomoedas, são um tipo de dinheiro digital, ainda não regulamentado, nem vinculado a qualquer banco central.
A Bitcoin é a criptomoeda que mais valorizou nos últimos anos, atualmente valendo mais que o ouro. De facto, as criptomoedas como a bitcoin têm vindo a ganhar relevo no plano financeiro internacional, tanto como investimento, como para proteção de ativos financeiros. Onde alguns podem ver incerteza, os mais temerários encaram como uma oportunidade certa de capitalizar.
Apesar da autoridade tributária e aduaneira, já se ter pronunciado a respeito, através de uma informação vinculativa, esta não concretiza que as criptomoedas devam ser tributadas como ativo financeiro.
No entanto, a administração tributária considera que os sujeitos passivos que tenham atividade profissional aberta para transacionar criptomoedas, devem ser sujeitos a tributação sobre rendimentos empresariais ou profissionais (cat. B).
A administração tributária abre também a hipótese, a que os rendimentos obtidos através das criptomoedas possa ser considerados um incremento patrimonial, e seja tido como uma mais valia.
A questão que importa salientar é que independentemente de ser considerado, ou não, qualquer uma das opções, para sujeitos passivos que exerçam qualquer atividade relacionada com as criptomoedas, num outro país, esses rendimentos desde que gerados fora de Portugal, estão isentos de tributação ao abrigo do regime do residente não habitual por um período de dez anos após a concessão do estatuto.
Numa outra informação vinculativa, mais recente, proferida pela administração tributária relativo à temática das criptomoedas, versando não sobre IRS, mas sim sobre IVA, veiculou-se o entendimento já assumindo pelo Tribunal de Justiça da União Europeia, o qual já esclareceu que “a bitcoin, tal como as divisas tradicionais que têm valor liberatório, não tem outra finalidade que não servir como meio de pagamento”. Isto significa que “tratando-se de meios de pagamento cuja função se esgota em si mesmo, a sua simples transferência não constituir um facto gerador do IVA”.
Pese embora a temática da tributação das criptomoedas continue a ser uma matéria controvertida, e que a falta de regulamentação em Portugal relativamente a operações e transações das criptomoedas, tenha as duas faces da vantagem e da incerteza, a verdade é que Portugal acaba por se tornar atrativo para as pessoas que queiram investir nas criptomoedas, caso se equacione a possibilidade de se realocarem para Portugal e usufruírem do regime do Residente Não Habitual.
Sendo uma atividade de exercício completamente remoto, faz cada vez mais sentido olharmos para este tipo de investimento e congregarmos o mesmo a um regime de Residente Não Habitual, onde os eventuais ganhos com as criptomoedas, quer sejam dividendos, rendimento de uma atividade profissional, ou mais valias de um incremento patrimonial, estariam isentos de tributação durante dez anos ao abrigo daquele regime.
Além do beneficio de residir num dos mais bonitos e seguros países do mundo, com fantástico clima, e com excelentes condições de vida, muitos daqueles que criaram as suas estruturas no estrangeiro para investir nas criptomoedas, poderiam assegurar a não taxação dos seus ganhos durante um período de dez anos.
auctores Pedro Marrana & Vitor Abreu
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The evolution of the currency has been raised to a completely digital level, and it may currently have no physical representation, being only in a bank account in the form of a computer record, consisting of a monetary value registered, for example on your smartphone.
Crypto-currency is nothing more than digital codes which are assigned certain values controlled by a data system, where records of transactions are kept permanently, protecting crypto-currency from being falsified or stolen.
In general terms, and according to the European Central Bank’s definition, crypto-currency is a type of digital money, not yet regulated, nor linked to any central bank.
Bitcoin is the crypto-currency that has been most valued in recent years, currently it is worth more than gold. In fact, crypto-currencies like Bitcoin have been gaining importance in the international financial sector, both as an investment and for the protection of financial assets. Where some may see uncertainty, the risk-takers see it as an opportunity.
Although the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (AT) has already pronounced itself on the matter, through binding information, it does not materialize that crypto-currencies should be taxed as financial assets.
However, the AT considers that taxpayers who have registered as free-lancers to transact crypto-currencies should be subject to taxation on business or professional income (category B type of income). The AT also opens the hypothesis that the income obtained through the crypto-currencies can be considered an asset increase, and be considered a capital gain.
Regardless of whether or not any of the options are considered, for taxpayers carrying out any activity related to crypto-currencies, in another country, such income, provided it is generated outside Portugal, is exempt from taxation under the non-habitual resident regime for a period of ten years after the status is granted.
In another, more recent, binding information issued by the tax authorities on the issue of crypto-currencies, dealing not with personal income tax but with VAT, following the European Union Court of Justice’s jurisprudence which consideres “bitcoin, like traditional currencies which have a discharging value, has no other purpose than to serve as a means of payment”. This means that “since they are means of payment whose function is in itself exhausted, their mere transfer does not constitute a chargeable event for VAT”.
Although the issue of taxation of crypto-currencies continues to be a controversial one, and the lack of regulation in Portugal regarding operations and transactions of crypto-currencies has both sides of the advantage and of the uncertainty, the truth is that Portugal ends up becoming attractive for people who want to invest in crypto-currencies, if one considers the possibility of relocating to Portugal and taking advantage of the regime of the Non-habitual Resident.
Being a completely remote activity, it makes more and more sense to look at this type of investment and to congregate it to the regime of the Non-habitual Resident, where the eventual gains with the crypto-currencies, whether they are dividends, income from a professional activity, or capital gains from an asset increase, would be exempt from taxation for ten years under that regime.
Besides the benefit of living in one of the most beautiful and safe countries in the world, with a fantastic climate, and with excellent living conditions, many of those who created their structures abroad to invest in crypto-currencies, could ensure the non-taxation of their earnings for a period of ten years.
auctores Pedro Marrana & Vitor Abreu
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Portuguese Central Bank’s position on cryptocurrencies
Since there is no central entity that guarantees the irremovability and finality of payment orders, virtual currency cannot be considered a safe currency, as there is no certainty of its acceptance as a means of payment. The same is to say that the Portuguese Central Bank (Banco de Portugal) does not technically recognise cryptocurrency as currency per se due to lack of monetary policy regulation.
Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority’s position
It is the understanding of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority that, “cryptocurrencies are not technically considered “currency” because they do not have a legal tender or liberating power in Portugal, however, (…) they can be exchanged, with profit, for real currency (…), with specialized companies for the effect, with its value, compared to the real currency, being determined by the online demand for cryptocurrencies”. Its position is, therefore, in line with that of the Portuguese Central Bank.
As such, income resulting from the sale of cryptocurrencies will not be taxable under the Personal Income Tax Code, within the scope of category E (referring to capitals), nor subject to being taxed under category G (referring to equity increases, as capital gain).
Furthermore, it is also the understanding of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority that the profits obtained from the sale of cryptocurrencies are not taxable under the Portuguese tax system, unless by their regularity ends up constituting a professional or entrepreneurial activity of the taxpayer, in which case it will be taxed as a qualifying income under the category B (freelancing) of the Personal Income Tax Code.
Last, but not least, the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority issued clear guidelines in January 2019 providing many answers to questions related to dealing with cryptocurrency, reporting obligations, cryptocurrency invoicing rules, rules for initial coin offerings,etc…
European Court of Justice and VAT
Jurisprudence of the European Union Court of Justice (EJC) on bitcoin, states that its sale is an onerous activity, subject to VAT, but covered by the exemption, as with other means of payment with a liberating value . “Considering the decision handed down by the ECJ (…) the exchange of cryptocurrency for‘ real ’currency constitutes a provision of services carried out against payment, exempt from VAT”.
Thus, the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority concludes that although “cryptocurrency remuneration is a service provision subject to VAT”, the VAT code article that defines the exemptions covers “also cryptocurrency transactions”.
In the medium-long run
It is expected that, in the medium term, cryptocurrencies will be regulated and their tax regime concretely defined. In fact, its regulation may not imply taxation of the income derived from them. However, it is expected that it may eventually pass through its classification as financial assets, and through its classification as a security or derivative – not as a currency for purchase and sale transactions – with a consequent change in the definition of a security. Should this be the case, the respective income, obtained by taxpayers who do not engage in any activity related to cryptocurrencies, could eventually be taxed as passive income, such as capital income (for examples as dividends in proportion to the original investment) or capital gains.
Conclusion
Although Portugal has great conditions, from a personal income tax and VAT standpoint, for those who income is generated through cryptocurrencies, some uncertainty remains due to the fact that there’s no regulatory framework, which in turns makes it difficult for individuals (and companies) to open bank accounts in the country to be used for the purpose of trading.
Further to the above, crypto traders opting for taking up residency in Portugal, and more specifically Madeira Island (due to is safe haven status during the Covid-19 pandemic) for tax purposes, may combine the above benefits with the ones available under the Non-Habitual Resident taxation regime, under which most the foreign sourced income is exempt.
MCS and its team has more than 20 years of experience in assisting international investors and expats making their move to Portugal and Madeira Island. Should you request our assistance 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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It is increasingly common for expats to come and spend their retirement in Madeira Island, Portugal. They bring with them not only their savings of a lifetime of work, but also their foreign pensions.
Fulfilling the criteria of tax residence in Portugal (residing more than 183 days in Portuguese territory, or, when residing less time, having a house here that can be occupied at any time in the same period of time), those who reside, for tax purposes, in Portugal, are subject to the legal obligation to annually report their foreign bank accounts and their worldwide earnings to the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority.
It is therefore important to understand the taxation framework of foreign pensions that tax residents in Portugal are subject to.
According to the OECD Model Convention, to which most countries and territories adhere, in order to avoid double taxation “pensions and similar remuneration paid to a resident of a contracting State [in this case Portugal] as a result of previous employment can only be taxed in that State [Portugal]”. In other words, foreign pensions earned by tax residents in Portugal can only be, in most cases, taxed in Portugal.
Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, “pensions and other similar remuneration paid by a contracting State or by its political subdivision or local authority, either directly or through funds, constituted by them, to a natural person, as a result of services rendered by that person to the State, or its subdivision or municipality, can only be taxed in that State.” That is to say, foreign pensions paid to former civil servants can only be taxed by the State where the former civil servant has performed his duties.
Note, however, that the overwhelming majority of expats who come to live to Portugal will be receiving pensions derived from previous commercial or industrial activities, this means that under the law, their pensions in Portugal will be subject to progressive rates of up to 48%.
The only way to avoid such high taxation on pensions by obtaining the status of Non-Habitual Resident (NHR), which must be requested by the taxpayer on arrival in Portugal (provided that the conditions are met). Beneficiaries of the NHR regime thus have their foreign pensions subject to a fixed rate of 10% on earned pensions from foreign sources.
In addition to the benefits described above, beneficiaries of the NHR scheme may also benefit from exemptions and reduced personal income tax rates on other types of income for a period of 10 consecutive years.
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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É cada vez mais frequente emigrantes portugueses retornarem a Portugal após uma vida de trabalho no estrangeiro, à semelhança do que vários expatriados pensionistas fazem. Consigo trazem não só as poupanças de uma vida de trabalho, mas também as suas pensões estrangeiras.
Cumprindo os critérios de residência fiscal em Portugal (residir mais de 183 dias em território português, ou, residindo menos tempo, possuindo cá uma casa que possa ser ocupada a qualquer momento no mesmo período de tempo), aqueles que residem, para efeitos fiscais, em Portugal ficam sujeitos à obrigação legal de reportar anualmente as suas contas bancárias estrangeiras e os seus rendimentos mundialmente auferidos à Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira.
Importa, por isso, perceber o enquadramento fiscal das pensões estrangeiras por residentes fiscais em Portugal.
De acordo com a Convenção Modelo da OCDE, à qual a maioria dos países e território adere, com o intuito de evitar a dupla tributação, “as pensões e remunerações similares pagas a um residente de um Estado contratante [neste caso Portugal] em consequência de um emprego anterior só podem ser tributadas nesse Estado [Portugal]”. Ou seja, as pensões estrangeiras auferidas por residentes fiscais em Portugal só podem ser, na generalidade dos casos, tributadas em Portugal.
Não obstante o parágrafo anterior, “pensões e outras remunerações similares pagas por um Estado contratante ou por uma sua subdivisão política ou autarquia local, quer directamente quer através de fundos, por eles constituídos, a uma pessoa singular, em consequência de serviços prestados a esse Estado ou a essa subdivisão ou autarquia, só podem ser tributadas nesse Estado.” O mesmo é dizer que, pensões estrangeiras pagas a antigos funcionários públicos só podem ser tributadas pelo Estado onde o antigo funcionário público tenha exercido as suas funções.
Ora, caindo, a esmagadora maioria dos expatriados e emigrantes que retornam, no primeiro caso (i.e.: auferirem pensões por via de actividades comerciais ou industriais) quer isto dizer que ao declararem, conforme exigido por lei, as suas pensões em Portugal as mesmas estarão sujeitas às taxas de IRS progressivas que podem ir até aos 48%.
A única forma de evitar tão elevada tributação sobre as pensões estrangeiras é através do estatuto de Residente de Não-Habitual (RNH), o qual deverá ser requerido pelo contribuinte aquando da sua chegada a Portugal (desde que reunidas as condições para beneficiar do mesmo). Os beneficiários do regime RNHs vêem assim as suas pensões estrangeiras sujeitas a uma taxa fixa de 10% sobre as mesmas.
Para além dos benefícios descritos acima, os RNH podem ainda beneficiar de isenções e de taxas de IRS reduzidas sobre outros tipos de rendimentos por um prazo de 10 anos consecutivos.
auctor Miguel Pinto-Correia
A MCS e a sua equipa contam com mais de 20 anos de experiência na assistência a clientes privados que pretendem transferir residência ou investir na Região Autónoma da Madeira.
A obtenção do estatuto de RNH exige uma cuidada avaliação da estrutura dos rendimentos do potencial beneficiário.
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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.
in Travel Agent Central
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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