Portugal VAT (IVA) Guide for 2026: Rates, Registration & Filing
Portugal's mainland standard VAT (IVA) is 23%, with lower rates in Madeira and the Azores. Covers registration, OSS, and filing requirements.
Last updated
Key Takeaways
Portugal applies a standard VAT (IVA) rate of 23% on the mainland (22% in Madeira, 16% in the Azores) to most goods and services, including SaaS and digital products, with a 13% intermediate rate for certain foods. A non-established business must register as soon as it makes taxable supplies, with no threshold; for EU-wide B2C distance sales, VAT is due once sales exceed the EU-wide EUR 10,000 threshold. Most financial and insurance services, healthcare, and education/training are exempt; exports and intra-EU B2B supplies are zero-rated with the right to deduct.
Taxability Snapshot
SaaS
Taxable
Digital Goods
Taxable
Sales Tax Rates
Portugal applies a standard VAT (IVA) rate of 23% to most goods and services, including SaaS and digital products sold to consumers. Reduced and special rates apply to specific categories:
Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|
23% (standard) | most goods and services, SaaS, and digital services (mainland; 22% in Madeira, 16% in the Azores) |
13% (intermediate) | certain foods, restaurants and catering, some cultural events |
6% (reduced) | essential foods, water, books, medicines, social housing, passenger transport |
0% (zero) | exports and intra-EU supplies |
Electronically supplied services are taxed where the customer is located, so a foreign SaaS seller charges Portuguese VAT on B2C sales and reports it through the EU One Stop Shop (OSS).
Registration & nexus threshold
Portugal uses VAT registration rules rather than US-style economic nexus. A non-established business must register as soon as it makes taxable supplies in Portugal, with no threshold [2]. For cross-border B2C sales within the EU, VAT is due in the customer's country once total EU distance sales exceed the EU-wide EUR 10,000 threshold, reportable through the One Stop Shop [2]. Registration steps are in the How to Register section.
Filing frequency & deadlines
Portuguese VAT returns are filed monthly if turnover is EUR 650,000 or more (due the 20th of the second month after the period) or quarterly below that (due the 20th of the second month after the quarter), with payment by the 25th of the filing month.
Exemptions
Exempt supplies include most financial and insurance services, healthcare, and education and training. Exports and intra-EU B2B supplies are zero-rated with the right to deduct.
Penalties
Late or non-filing carries fines of EUR 150 to EUR 3,750. Late payment carries a minimum fine of 10% for individuals or 20% for companies, and 2026 late-payment interest runs at 7.221% a year.
Sources
[1] European Commission — VAT rates (Portugal 23% standard, 6% and 13% reduced)
[2] European Commission — One Stop Shop (EU-wide EUR 10,000 threshold)
Verified July 2026 against European Commission and Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to automate your sales tax?
No credit card required.
