For freelancers in Portugal

Freelancing in Portugal? Your invoicing shouldn't be the hard part.

Whether you moved to Portugal last year or you've been here for a decade, invoicing clients across borders shouldn't require a tax degree. Descodify gives you certified invoicing, automatic VAT calculations, and expense tracking - free, and in plain language.

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Why freelancer invoicing in Portugal is more complex than it looks

Being a trabalhador independente (sole trader / freelancer) in Portugal means navigating rules that change depending on who you invoice and where they are.

VAT rules depend on your client's location

Invoice a client in Portugal? You charge 23% VAT. A business in Germany? Reverse charge applies - no VAT on your invoice, but you need to report it. A company in the US or UK? VAT exempt, but you need the right exemption code. Getting this wrong means corrections, penalties, or both.

The 15% expense proof requirement

Under the regime simplificado (simplified tax regime), you need to prove that at least 15% of your income went toward business expenses - with receipts tied to your NIF (tax number). If you can't, you pay more tax. Most freelancers don't find this out until it's too late.

Social Security is calculated on your income

Your Social Security (Segurança Social) contributions are recalculated every quarter based on your declared income. If you don't track your invoices carefully, the quarterly adjustment can be a surprise. Knowing where you stand before the quarter ends helps you plan.

What Descodify handles for you

Certified invoicing

Issue faturas and recibos verdes that meet Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) requirements. Certified software, sequential numbering, proper formatting - all handled automatically.

VAT automation

Tell Descodify where your client is and what you're billing for. It applies the correct VAT rate, exemption code, or reverse charge - automatically. Works for Portuguese, EU, and non-EU clients.

Expense tracking

Track business expenses throughout the year. See where you stand on the 15% expense proof requirement in real time - not just at tax season. Categorized and ready for your annual declaration.

Social Security reporting

Your quarterly Social Security contributions depend on your declared income. Descodify tracks your invoices and shows you what to expect - so you're not caught off guard when the quarter rolls over.

Built for freelancers who invoice abroad

Most freelancers in Portugal invoice clients in other countries - the US, UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands. Each country means different VAT treatment. Descodify handles this automatically.

EU clients - reverse charge, handled

When you invoice a business in the EU, VAT shifts to your client under the reverse charge mechanism. Descodify validates their VAT number through VIES and applies the correct exemption code to your invoice. No manual lookups, no guesswork.

Non-EU clients - VAT exempt, properly documented

Invoicing a company in the US or UK? The service is outside the EU VAT scope. Descodify marks the invoice as exempt and includes the right legal reference. Your client gets a clean invoice, and your tax records stay accurate.

Portuguese clients - standard VAT, no surprises

For domestic clients, Descodify applies 23% VAT (or the applicable reduced rate) and handles withholding tax (retenção na fonte) when it applies. You invoice, Descodify does the math.

Free tools for freelancers in Portugal

No sign-up required. Use these to understand your tax situation before you commit to anything.

Stop worrying about invoicing. Start freelancing.

Start for free with certified invoicing and automatic VAT. Upgrade to Completo for guided submissions and full expense tracking.