Part I · General principles

Article 11 Temporal application of provisions on tax benefits

Artigo 11.º · Aplicação no tempo das normas sobre benefícios fiscais

Estatuto dos Benefícios Fiscais · republished by Decree-Law No. 108/2008 · consolidated text checked 26 October 2026

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1. Provisions amending contractual, conditional or temporary tax benefits do not apply to taxpayers already enjoying the right to the tax benefit concerned in so far as they are detrimental to them, unless the law provides otherwise.

1 - As normas que alterem benefícios fiscais convencionais, condicionados ou temporários, não são aplicáveis aos contribuintes que já aproveitem do direito ao benefício fiscal respectivo, em tudo que os prejudique, salvo quando a lei dispuser em contrário.

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2. The preceding paragraph applies where the basis of the tax benefit is a general-law legal regime that limits the taxpayer’s rights, in particular where it restricts the powers to enjoy or dispose of the taxpayer’s assets, including the cases provided for in Article 15(2) that are of that nature.

2 - É aplicável o disposto no número anterior quando o fundamento do benefício fiscal for um regime jurídico de direito comum que limite os direitos do contribuinte, especialmente quando restrinja os poderes de fruição ou de disposição dos seus bens, designadamente nos casos previstos no n.º 2 do artigo 15.º que revistam essa natureza.

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3. The preceding paragraphs are without prejudice to Article 2 of Decree-Law No. 215/89 of 1 July.

3 - O disposto nos números anteriores não prejudica o estabelecido no artigo 2.º do Decreto-Lei n.º 215/89, de 1 de Julho.

What we checked in this article

The protection of taxpayers already enjoying contractual, conditional or temporary benefits against detrimental amendments, unless the law provides otherwise, and the references to Article 15(2) and Article 2 of Decree-Law No. 215/89 are retained.

Planning around a Portuguese tax benefit? Article 11 sets the conditions.

We check eligibility for IFICI, the Madeira regime, the start-up and capitalisation incentives and the property benefits, prepare the registrations and claims, and model what the benefit is worth, in English. A written answer and a fixed quote within one working day.

Unofficial English translation prepared by BCA Portugal for reference. Only the Portuguese text published in the Diário da República has legal force. Editorial notes are ours and are not part of the statute.

Applying the law

Portuguese tax benefits, claimed on time and kept

Most benefits in the Statute depend on a registration, a deadline or a condition that has to stay true for years. Tell us what you plan, and we will tell you which benefit applies, what it is worth and what must be filed.

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