What is it?

e-Residency is a platform that provides a digital identity and residence in Portugal, upon verification of the identity and authenticity of a non-resident individual or company. It grants access to Portuguese public services online and allows for obtaining a NIF – Tax Identification Number, NISS – Social Security Number, registering or creating a company, and opening a bank account, enabling professional activity and business operations.

 

Objectives

• Make Portugal the digital gateway for foreign companies to conduct business inside and outside the European Union (EU).
• Expand legal, financial, and accounting services provided by Portuguese companies to foreign entities.
• Create new sources of tax revenue for Portugal and increase GDP.

 

Target Audience

• Digital nomads and individual entrepreneurs
• Any foreign company, regardless of size or sector, wishing to do business in the EU and beyond, through Portugal
• Investors looking to invest in Portugal and the EU
• Portuguese service providers (e.g., financial institutions, law firms, accounting companies)

 

A Trusted Business Environment

Trust is central to business and commercial transactions.

High standards of identity and authentication for individuals and organizations are essential to mitigate fraud risks and ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) principles.

Built on advanced and secure technologies, integrated with the Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital – CMD) and aligned with eIDAS and other international directives, e-Residency provides this crucial security.

 

Benefits and Impacts

The e-Residency platform generates benefits in identity, authentication, and business:

 

Identity

Easy Access

• Faster, simpler process with flexible application.
• Remote e-Residency application.
• Less information required; lower costs.

More Autonomous Process

• Electronic identity (e-identity) enables more services independently, without legal representatives.

 

Authentication

Simple Process

• Fully digital and paperless authentication.

More Options

• Multiple authentication methods (e.g., email, mobile, contactless, eIDAS).

 

Business

More Online Services

• Access to more services, enhancing commercial transactions.

Fiscal Attractiveness

• More attractive tax policy.

Business Appeal

• More appealing environment for conducting business.

 

Expected Impacts:

• Increase in commercial transactions via Portugal
• Job creation
• Tax payments by foreign individuals and companies
• Development of new business opportunities for Portuguese companies
• Global promotion of Portugal as a digital nation and startup hub

 

Promoters

The e-Residency platform is an ongoing project involving the following entities: