Portugal

We represent clients from all around the world in Portugal every year. We see the globe as having no borders and are unafraid of language hurdles or time zones.

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Legal Industry in Portugal

In response to a struggling domestic market, Portugal’s leading law firms are increasingly seeking opportunities in former Portuguese colonies. Aside from a spate of short-term privatisation work , Portugal’s transactional lawyers continue to bemoan the demise of their national M&A pipelines. In order to bolster growth, the country’s major law firms are venturing to Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions where the legal systems are similar and investment is flowing. In 2016, the legal professions accounted for EUR 823 million, corresponding to 0.4% of Portuguese GDP, and employed 35 631 people. These professions play a decisive role in the administration of justice. There are significant economic arguments for regulations specific to the legal professions which, when left unaddressed, could lead to inefficient market outcomes and a direct impact on social welfare. The legal professions enjoy exclusive rights to provide specified services and access to these professions is restricted. In return, legal professionals are required to comply with a range of regulations restricting advertising, licence quotas and geographic limitations for notaries, and fixed and maximum fees.
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Articles about Law in Portugal

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    T&C

    Most common legal demands in Portugal

    Legal Market Overview in Portugal

    The Legal Services in Portugal industry is valued at €1.9bn and is ranked 12th in Europe in 2022 (of 27 total EU countries). The industry’s rank (12th) has remained the same since 2017.
    The Legal Services in Portugal industry is the 50th largest industry in Portugal in 2022 (of 272 total industries that IBISWorld tracks). The industry’s rank (50th) has remained the same since 2017.
    The market size, measured by revenue, of the Legal Services in Portugal industry is €1.9bn in 2022.

    Portugal’s general rule of law score decreased by less than 1% in 2022’s Index. At 27th place out of 140 countries and jurisdictions worldwide, Pakistan’s rank decreased by 5 in the global rank in comparison to 2019 (22).
    Research shows81% of people in the Portugal experienced a legal problem,66% of them knew where to access help and 24% resolved the problem.
    The average duration of resolving the legal problem in the Portugal is 24 months and also 45% experienced a hardship.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Once you have lived in a different country for two years, you are subject to the laws of that country if you divorce. So it is important to talk to a legal specialist to establish what rules apply under Portuguese law and what position you would be in.

    Capital gains are taxed  in Portugal 25%.

    In Portugal you pay an annual municipal property tax of a maximum 0,5% of the assessed value, depending of the county.

    Passport and/or Resident permit (autorização de residência) – for residents in Portugal, you need to present your resident card and your passport, but if you’re not a resident, you only need to show your passport as proof of identity. Take note that being a resident is not a requirement to get married in Portugal.

    The legal requirements for getting married in Portugal are relatively easy and straightforward, however many couples choose to have a civil ceremony in their own country and then hold a religious or symbolic ceremony in Portuga

    It usually takes a minimum of four weeks to process each application and once approval is granted, the marriage must occur within six months. Whether it is a civil marriage or any type of religious marriage, you must request a license, which can be obtained from any Portuguese Civil Registrar Office across the country.

    around 3 to 6 weeks

    It will be an uncontested divorce and it will be relatively straightforward, taking on average, at the Civil Registry Offices of the Lisbon area, around 3 to 6 weeks.

    Cost of getting a divorce in Portugal

    Getting a divorce in Portugal isn’t necessarily expensive. For instance, couples who opt for a mutual consent divorce can expect to pay €280 for the process at a Civil Registry Office. If there are any assets or property divisions, however, then the price goes up to €625.