Expat Community > Portugal

MichaelVanMander
Joined 2016
Posts: 1

non profit

8 years ago

Hello there,

Completely new to this forum.

I've been running a recovery community in Thailand for people suffering from addiction and stress etc. Basically we offer meditation, yoga, life coaching etc to people from everywhere in the world, and its been going really well so would like to set up a new community in Portugal.

I have to say, there was extremely little red tape involved here in Thailand, and i'm guessing it might be different in Portugal, I'm hoping someone out there can help out with some initial advice.

I'm mostly looking for a good lawyer I can trust, so if anyone out there has some recommendations please let me know!

Or maybe someone on the forum can help out with any of the issues im worried about?

1) We are registered as a certified foundation (non profit), would that be possible in Portugal? We do charge a fee to our clients (considerably lower than anywhere else in the world) Mainly we want to offer our program to people who cannot afford expensive treatment.

2) I found a beautiful property in Serra da Estrela with lots of stone houses, would there be any problem converting these to accomodation for our clients? The property owner said there were very strict building regulations, but that we would be able to build additional halls etc if built in wood? What about using the land for that particular purpose of having a wellness community focussed on mindful living and organic gardening etc? Would that raise isssues?

3) What kind of licenses etc would be necessary for a project like this? We aim to have facilities to receive about 30 people, and teachers and therapists living on site. If we present ourselves as a mediation center or so, would there be lots of red tape involved?

4) What about taxes? What kind of taxes would need to be payed? Hardly pay any taxes here except VAT. And we work with a lot of volunteers, who do get some small compensation, but nothing like a real salary, more like compensation for expenses. Is that even possible in Portugal?

Be very grateful if some of you out there with more experience can show the way!

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

Living in Portugal Guide

Our Living in Portugal Guide is a primer on everything about living in Portugal: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, obtaining a driver's license, how to bring your pet with you and more.

Portugal Forum
Join our Portugal forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Portugal.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

Best Places to Live in Portugal

If you're thinking about living in Portugal, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Portugal in 2023.

Healthcare in Portugal

Expats in Portugal with a residency visa can participate in the national health care system. Here's what you need to know about the SNS and the combination of public and private services you'll need to manage your health in Portugal.

Cost of Living in Portugal

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Portugal.

Moving to Portugal Guide

Expats moving to Portugal are drawn by a variety of places to live, a rich history and so much more. Here are some tips on what it means to move there, and how to make it happen.

Real Estate in Portugal

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Portugal.

Pros & Cons of Living in Portugal

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Portugal.

Retiring in Portugal

Advice for people retiring in Portugal.

Portugal Visa & Residency Guide

Thanks to Susan Stults Korthase for this helpful overview of current requirements to begin the process of obtaining a Residency Visa when moving from the US to Portugal.

10 Tips for Living in Portugal

If you've recently arrived in Portugal, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Portugal.

Additional Information:

Visit our Portugal Index for a Full List

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

Contribute
Help others in Portugal by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

Login

Or, Send Login Link

Expat Community > Portugal

non profit

Login