Who can work as an agent in Portugal

Portugal asks two separate questions before you work. First, may you work in Portugal at all? That depends on your nationality. Second, under which licence do you mediate? That depends on whether you join an agency or open your own. This lesson answers both in plain words.

Two ways to work in mediation

Under an agency’s AMI licence. This is how most people start. Ekonomista explained in September 2026 that a consultant who joins an agency works under the agency’s licence and needs a collaboration contract with it. You do not apply to IMPIC yourself.

As the licence holder. Law 15/2013 lets a company or an individual trader (empresário em nome individual) apply to IMPIC for a licence. IMPIC’s FAQ says applicants must have their domicile or head office in a country of the European Economic Area. Lesson 3 explains the application.

Either way, check the agency’s licence number before you sign anything. Law 15/2013 says it must appear on contracts, letters and every advert.

Route 1: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

If you hold a passport from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can work in Portugal as an employee or self-employed without a work visa.

1. Arrive and start working or looking for work.
2. After three months, register your residence. The Porto city council explains that the deadline is 30 days after those first three months.
3. You apply at the câmara municipal (city council) where you live, with your ID or passport, proof of address and a sworn statement that you meet one of the conditions, such as working in Portugal. In person, Porto issues the certificate on the spot.

Route 2: non-EU nationals

The rules tightened recently. According to M|B Advogados, Law 61/2025 came into force on 23 October 2025, and:

• The old expressions of interest (manifestação de interesse) route is gone. You can no longer enter as a tourist and regularise later.
• You must get the right visa in your country of origin before you travel.
• The generic job seeker visa was replaced by a visa for skilled work, reserved for people with specialised technical skills.

The work-related residence visas include subordinate work (a job contract) and self-employment or entrepreneurship. Since most consultants are self-employed, ask an immigration lawyer which visa fits your real contract before you apply. Residence permits are then handled by AIMA, the agency for integration, migration and asylum.

A word on the digital nomad visa. It is a residence visa for professional activity done remotely for entities outside Portugal. The D8 summary we checked in August 2026 puts the income test at four times the minimum wage, about €3,680 a month in 2026. It is built for people whose employer or clients are abroad. It does not fit a job selling homes for a Portuguese agency. Confirm your case with AIMA or a lawyer before you rely on it.

What about property visas? Law 56/2023 ended new golden visa applications based on real estate. Never tell a client that buying a home gives residence.

Your numbers: NIF and NISS

• NIF (tax number). You need it to work, sign contracts and pay tax. gov.pt says it is free. Residents apply at a Finanças office by appointment. Non-residents usually need a tax representative in Portugal, and from outside the EU and EEA they apply online through a representative. idealista notes that holding only a NIF does not by itself trigger the representative duty for some non-EU residents, so ask Finanças what applies to you.
• NISS (Social Security number). Also free. You apply on the Segurança Social online form with your ID and proof of work, such as a contract or your self-employment registration. Non-EU nationals add their visa and residence authorisation. An employer can also request it for you.

gov.pt adds that foreigners with a Portuguese address can request the NIF, NISS and national health number together.

Freelance status: recibos verdes

Most consultants are trabalhadores independentes (self-employed). In practice:

1. Open your activity with the tax office (início de atividade). Doutor Finanças lists this declaration among the documents a sole trader shows IMPIC, so it is also step one if you ever open your own agency.
2. Issue a receipt (recibo verde) on the Portal das Finanças for every payment your agency makes you.
3. Your income falls under IRS category B (business and professional income). Lesson 8 covers tax.
4. Social Security. Ekonomista explains the 2026 rules: you pay 21.4% on a “relevant income” equal to 70% of what you invoiced for services. You declare it each quarter (by 31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 31 October). You are exempt for your first 12 months, but those months give you no benefits and do not count toward a pension.

Your quick check

You are	You need
EU, EEA or Swiss	NIF, NISS, residence registration at the council after three months
Non-EU, joining as self-employed	A residence visa for independent work obtained before travel, then AIMA
Non-EU, hired as an employee	A residence visa for subordinate work obtained before travel, then AIMA
Anyone opening an agency	All of the above, plus the IMPIC licence in lesson 3

What is not allowed

• Working on a tourist stay. Since Law 61/2025 you cannot fix your status after arriving as a visitor.
• Showing homes without a licensed agency behind you. Mediation without a licence is an offence under Law 15/2013.
• Promising a visa through property.

Immigration rules move fast, so check the official source before you act. Practise these points in client skills.

This lesson is general information, not legal or immigration advice.