Why Portugal – and why now?
Portugal has become an attractive base for companies that want European market access combined with competitive costs and quality of life. The country has vibrant hubs in Lisbon, Porto and other regions, and is home to leading tech and innovation events such as Web Summit.
For Dutch entrepreneurs, Portugal offers opportunities in sectors such as technology, industrial production, agrifood, tourism and services, supported by an increasingly international workforce and infrastructure.
Why work with the Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce?
Founded in 1986 as a non‑profit member organisation, CCPH is the oldest chamber dedicated to Dutch–Portuguese business relations. Our mission is to connect Portuguese and Dutch entrepreneurs in a valuable and sustainable way, and to support companies on both sides in growing their cross‑border activities.
Every day, new entrepreneurs join our network to benefit from our experience, practical support and the solidarity of fellow members. We are the primary resource for companies that want to explore, enter or expand in the Portuguese or Dutch market.
Key questions when setting up in Portugal
When you consider starting a company or establishing a subsidiary in Portugal, a few questions come up immediately:
Choosing the right legal structure
Which legal form fits your risk profile, governance and tax needs?
Foreign entrepreneurs often need to decide between different company types and partnership models. Making the right choice early saves time, money and complexity later.
Understanding tax and social security
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- How will your Portuguese activities affect corporate tax, VAT and personal income tax?
- How do local rules interact with Dutch tax regulations and treaties?
Having clarity on these topics is essential before you commit to investments and hiring.
HR and employment in practice
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- What are typical employment contracts in Portugal?
- What social charges and benefits should you plan for, and how flexible is the labour market?
Understanding HR and payroll realities helps you build a stable local team and avoid surprises.
Location and real estate
Which region and type of property fit your business model, Lisbon, Porto, another region, a business park, office space or production facilities? Beyond cost, you will want to consider access to talent, logistics, clients and partners.
CCPH does not replace legal, tax or HR professionals, but we make sure you are talking to the right experts and asking the right questions from day one.
How CCPH provides a soft landing
CCPH offers a “soft‑landing” approach via our Fast Track Program for Dutch and Portuguese companies that want to start or grow their activities across borders. Instead of figuring everything out on your own, you can rely on our network and experience.
Legal and fiscal introductions
We connect you with trusted legal and tax advisers who understand both Portuguese and Dutch contexts. They can advise you on the most appropriate company structure, contracts, compliance obligations and cross‑border implications, so you can start on solid foundations.
HR and employment support
Through our network of HR specialists and payroll providers, we help you understand labour law, employment contracts, social security and practical HR issues. This allows you to design a realistic hiring strategy, whether you start with one local representative or a full team.
Real estate and location guidance
We introduce you to partners who can support you in searching for offices, warehouses, factories or co‑working spaces, depending on your sector and stage.
Local expertise helps you compare regions, assess availability and negotiate conditions that fit your business.
Market information and business contacts
CCPH provides market information, sector insights and targeted lists of potential contacts.
We help you identify distributors, agents, suppliers, customers or joint‑venture partners and can organise matchmaking tailored to your goals.
Learning from our network: practical do’s and don’ts
Over the years, CCPH and its members have accumulated a large amount of practical experience on doing business in Portugal and the Netherlands. We share this knowledge so you can avoid common mistakes.
Do:
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- Take time to understand local decision‑making and relationship‑building; trust is an important driver of business.
- Involve local experts early for legal, tax, HR and real‑estate topics instead of copying your existing setup from another country.
- Plan realistic timelines for registrations, licences, permits and banking; processes may take longer than you expect.
Don’t:
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- Rely only on information found online without confirming how it works in practice.
- Underestimate cultural differences in communication and negotiation styles.
- Wait until problems arise before reaching out for support; prevention is usually cheaper than correction.
Through events, workshops and informal exchanges, our members and partners share do’s and don’ts, success stories and lessons learned, so that new entrants can move faster and with more confidence.
Who benefits most from CCPH support?
CCPH works with a wide range of companies, from start‑ups and SMEs to large corporates. Typical cases include:
Dutch companies opening a sales office, service hub or production unit in Portugal.Portuguese companies entering or expanding in the Dutch market. Scale‑ups that need a reliable local network to accelerate their international growth. Established companies that want to strengthen their presence, review their setup or explore new partnerships.
Whether you are in technology, manufacturing, logistics, agrifood, tourism or professional services, we help you find the right path and partners.
How to work with CCPH
Become a member
As a member of CCPH, you join a community of entrepreneurs and organisations active between Portugal and the Netherlands. Membership gives you access to:
- Networking events in Lisbon, the Algarve, Porto and other locations.
- Visibility opportunities and the possibility to share news and business opportunities.
- Direct access to fellow members and useful information via our member channels.
- A first hour of consultancy from our team to discuss your plans and point you towards relevant experts or partners.
Request a soft‑landing intake
If you are considering starting or expanding a business in Portugal or the Netherlands, you can request an intake conversation with CCPH.
In this conversation, we clarify your goals, identify key legal, fiscal, HR and real‑estate questions, and outline how our network and services can support your next steps.
Join our events and activities
CCPH regularly organises events, study trips and online sessions with guest speakers from both countries.
These activities are designed to help you stay informed, meet potential partners and build the relationships that make cross‑border business work.
Ready to explore your opportunity?
If you are thinking about starting or growing your business in Portugal or bringing your Portuguese business to the Netherlands, you do not have to navigate this journey alone.
Feel free to schedule a short meeting via this link to learn how we can support your soft landing, open doors and help you turn opportunities into concrete projects.