Freelance rate in Portugal: what to charge once contributions are counted

In Portugal a self-employed person pays contributions on a large share of revenue. Work out how much that adds to your rate. No sign-up.

Three mistakes that pull your income down

1. Counting only income tax. The social contribution is a separate line and is charged on a base, not on profit. If you leave it out, your rate comes out too low by that 15%.

2. Counting on a scheme for newcomers. IFICI gives 20% for ten years, but only to people who weren't tax residents of Portugal for five years, and for listed professions. Check whether yours is on the list before you count on 20%.

3. Not checking the income threshold for the visa. For the remote-work visa (D8), income over the last three months must be at least four minimum wages: at €920 that's about €3,680 a month. The calculation is ours, from official figures.

Contributions take about 15% of revenue

The self-employed contribution in Portugal is 21.4%. But it isn't charged on all revenue, only on a base: 70% of the previous three months' service revenue. In effect about 15% of revenue goes on the social contribution before income tax.

In the simplified regime, income tax isn't charged on all revenue: 75% of income from professional services is taxable. Then a progressive scale applies.

The facts come from official sites as of October 2026. This isn't tax advice.

What the contribution takes

Take revenue of €6,000 for a quarter, as in the official example.

Working out your rate is half the job

The calculator tells you what to charge. The timer shows what you actually get: how many hours you worked today, how many of them are paid, and how much is left until your daily target.

A rate without tracked hours is a promise to yourself that nobody checks.

Five of your numbers, not someone else's median

Going by someone else's rate makes no sense: it's built from someone else's life — another city, another tax, another share of paid hours. Yours comes from five numbers, and all of them are about you.

Common questions

What's the simplified regime?

For category B income up to €200,000, a fixed share is taxed: 75% for professional services, 35% for other services, 15% for sales. In the first two years the coefficients are reduced. The exact terms are on the Portuguese tax authority's portal.

Are contributions due in the first year?

I couldn't confirm it from official sources, so I don't claim it. Ask Portugal's social security or an accountant and plan for the cautious case.

How do I count income tax?

The 2026 scale is progressive: from 12.5% on low incomes up to 48% on high ones. The taxable base is taken under the simplified regime. Which percentage to enter depends on your income, and an accountant can say more precisely.

Can I rely on these numbers when I move?

This isn't tax advice. The facts about the country come from official sites and hold as of October 2026; laws change, so check them at the source and ask a local accountant before you decide. In the calculation you keep your own numbers.

Rate, hours and projects in one place

A minute on how it works day to day.

Other calculators: Freelance hourly rate calculator, Designers, Illustrators, Developers, Copywriters, Photographers, Tutors, [](/calculators/hourly-rate/moscow-spb/), [](/calculators/hourly-rate/regions/), [](/calculators/hourly-rate/abroad-rub-clients/), Before you move, Quoting clients abroad, Dubai, [](/calculators/hourly-rate/georgia/), Germany, How to calculate a rate, How much to charge, Hourly or fixed price, Salary to hourly, Day rate.