Expanding into Portugal

September 9, 2024

English

Expanding into Portugal: The Advantage of Using an EOR

Portugal, situated at the southwestern tip of Europe provides a gateway location to European, African, and South American markets, which makes it an ideal place for international businesses. Portugal has a well educated workforce (many have a university degree) and they are fluent in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French) which appeals to companies looking for a skilled labour force.

Expanding into a new country requires building a local workforce to ensure smooth operations and integration into the new market. The same goes for expansion into the Portuguese market, where hiring local talent is essential for understanding cultural nuances, navigating local regulations, and establishing a presence that resonates with the local community. 

This article will highlight the importance of an EOR in expanding to Portugal and how it can make the transition easier as they manage several compliance and administrative tasks.

Facilitate Market Entry

An Employer of Record (EOR) can accelerate the market entry into Portugal by simplifying the hiring and employment process. By working with an EOR, there will be no such need to establish a local entity, which can save time and you can hire local talent quickly. In simple words , a reliable EOR service can be particularly helpful in facilitating quick, flexible, and low-risk market entry.

Simplified Compliance with Portuguese Laws

When operating a successful business it is vital that you know and comply with local laws and regulations. Entering into a new market this even becomes more obvious than ever and with the help of an EOR you will be able to ensure compliance with Portuguese laws

Portugal has strict labour laws in place when it comes to employees working hours, benefits, social security contributions, rights of the worker, etc. EORs make sure that companies are 100% compliant by taking care of payroll, taxes, social security, benefits, and keeping up with any changes in the law. That way businesses can function smoothly in Portugal by avoiding the possibility of non-compliance and dealing with legal issues.

Access to Local Expertise

An EOR in Portugal will provide a deep insight of the local job market, recruitment trends, and cultural considerations, which can facilitate attracting and managing local talent.The local expertise can help businesses establish a smooth presence , focus on growth, save time and cost without having to worry about the non-compliance.

Simplified Payroll Management

The EOR (Employer of Record) in Portugal handles payroll by carrying out all payroll related functions in accordance with the local laws. This ranges from calculating and processing payroll for employees, deducting taxes where applicable, to handling social security contributions and other statutory benefits. The EOR makes sure that payroll is processed correctly and punctually, in accordance with Portuguese labour law and tax requirements.. This ensures that your co-workers will get paid on time, taxes will be taken care of and all filings will take place according to the law.

Ease of Expansion in Portugal

With an expert EOR service like Swapp Agency, you can expand easily in Portugal . The EOR will take care of everything from payroll, to benefits, to on-boarding, off-boarding and compliance with local labor laws. It also eliminates the need to establish a local entity, reducing the complexity and administrative burden of setting up operations. 

Utilizing the EOR's knowledge and local expertise, you can smoothly expand your business in full compliance with the Portuguese regulatory requirements.

Additional HR Support

While Working with an EOR in Portugal you can get additional HR support beyond payroll and compliance. This ranges from recruitment, to orientation, to benefits administration, to performance management, to dealing with any work related issues. The EOR has deep insights of the Portuguese corporate culture, so they ensure that all HR practices are in accordance with Portuguese labour laws and cultural norms.

Conclusion

Expanding into Portugal can be of strategic advantage as the country boasts a well-developed infrastructure, including modern transportation networks, advanced telecommunications, and reliable energy sources.While the hiring process in Portugal is normally structured and influenced by the labour law and cultural factors therefore working with a reliable EOR service can provide peace of mind as they manage the complex legal and administrative aspects related to the recruitment process and you can focus on your business growth.