My Friend Switched From Salary to Freelance and Pays Less Tax
Gross salary €1,500: the company pays €1,850 total, you take home €1,100. The same amount as a freelancer on the simplified regime? You keep more. The real numbers.
Blog
News, tips and guides for independent workers
Everything you need to know about invoicing, VAT and Social Security in Portugal.
7 Expenses You Already Pay and Can Deduct from Your IRS
Internet, laptop, software, coworking, training - all of this reduces your IRS bill. The trick? Request an invoice with your NIF and validate it in the e-invoice system. The average freelancer saves €500-1,500/year.
Read article
How Much Does It Cost to Be a Freelancer in Portugal: The Real Numbers
Year one: zero Social Security. IRS on 75% of what you invoice. VAT only above €15,000. Real numbers, no fluff, with examples at €1,000, €2,000 and €3,000/month.
How to Avoid an April Tax Shock: Plan Your Taxes All Year Long
Maria invoiced €18,000 and spent it all. In April she owed €3,200 to the state. Panic. The simple rule that prevents this: always set aside 20-25% of every invoice. No surprises, no loans.
Taxes Like a Netflix Subscription: Pay and Forget
You know exactly what you pay for Netflix. But how much are you paying in taxes and Social Security this month? The analogy that changes how you see your tax obligations as a freelancer.
The Thresholds That Change Everything: €15,000 and €200,000
Two numbers every independent worker needs to know. Below €15,000 you don't charge VAT. Above €200,000 you leave the simplified regime. What changes at each threshold - explained with real examples.
Accounting isn't for geniuses. It's for everyone.
Think you're bad with numbers? Sofia paid €200/month to an accountant until she discovered that freelancer accounting is simpler than baking a yogurt cake.
What's new in FIZ — March 2026
The AI Tax Assistant took a big leap: answers built on your own data, tables and file attachments. Plus the new Finances section and custom invoice series.
Is the Tax Authority Auditing Freelancers? What They Look For and How to Protect Yourself
If you're a freelancer worried about a tax audit, read this first. The reality is very different from what you imagine - and there are simple ways to protect yourself.