Funchal · Madeira · IBC Specialists

Accounting & consulting for clients in Portugal

Stay compliant, optimise your tax structure, and grow your company in Madeira, with a team guiding international clients for over thirty years.

Schedule a meeting Explore our services

What we do

An accounting and business consulting firm in Madeira

We pair reliable day-to-day accounting with strategic consulting, so international clients get full compliance and real growth from a single local partner.

  • OCC-regulated accountants
  • English-speaking team
  • IBC and Free-Trade Zone experts
Compliance

Accounting

Organised accounting, SAF-T submissions, payroll and financial reporting, kept accurate and fully compliant with Portuguese and EU rules, from freelancers to IBC companies.

Growth

Business consulting

Company formation, tax planning, grant applications, bank negotiations and investment projects. Practical guidance to set up, restructure and scale in Portugal and Madeira.

Our services

Everything you need, under one roof

What we handle day to day for international clients in Madeira and mainland Portugal.

Accounting

Freelancers and sole traders Recibos verdes, Category B set-up, invoicing and tax returns. Single-member companies Accounting and reporting for Unipessoal, Lda. structures. Limited and public companies Organised accounting, SAF-T and financial statements for Lda. and S.A. Alojamento Local AL registration, invoicing, imposto do selo and tourist tax reporting. Madeira IBC Compliance for companies licensed in the International Business Centre.

Consulting

Company creation Structure, registration and everything needed to start trading. Tax and fiscal consultancy Efficient, compliant structuring under Portuguese and EU law. Grants and incentives CRIEE, EU funds, PEPAC, PRR and other national programmes. Investment projects and studies Building and defending projects from strategy to approval. Bank negotiations Loans, debt and financing negotiations with Portuguese banks. Independent business analysis A close look at strengths, weaknesses and where to optimise.

Sectors we work in

Alojamento Local SaaS Marketing Technology Pharmaceutical Health Entertainment Industrial Agriculture Real estate Construction Transport
A Conta Plena accountant advising a client at a meeting table in Funchal, Madeira

Why Conta Plena

Local expertise, built for international clients

Much of our work is with people building a business in Portugal from somewhere else. We work in your language, explain the reasoning behind every filing, and keep you ahead of deadlines rather than reacting to them.

30+ yearsThree decades guiding expats, investors and companies through Portuguese tax and business law.
Cross-border focusAdvice tailored to your nationality, residency status and cross-border goals.
IBC specialistsHands-on experience with Madeira's International Business Centre and free-trade zone.
OCC-regulatedChartered accountants bound by the Portuguese Order of Certified Accountants.

How it works

Getting started is simple

Three steps from first conversation to confident, compliant operations.

Book a meeting

Tell us about your business, your residency and your goals. We listen first.

We assess and propose a plan

We review your position and recommend the right structure, tax approach and services.

We handle it and guide your growth

We take care of accounting and compliance while advising on your next strategic moves.

Book a meeting

What drives us

More than accountants, your trusted insider

We turn fiscal and financial complexity into clear decisions, so the people building businesses in Madeira never have to make them alone.

Closeness

A point of contact who knows your business by name, not by tax number.

Clarity

You leave every conversation knowing where you stand and what to do next.

Business vision

We think about your next step, not only about what has already happened.

A bridge between worlds

We speak the language of the international investor and of the local tax regime.

Loyalty

Your success comes first. We are the partner who plays from the inside.

I created Conta Plena to give Madeira's entrepreneurs and investors what I would look for myself: a partner who thinks about the business as if it were their own.
Pedro Matos
Founder and Managing Partner

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

A sole trader (ENI) operates under a simplified tax regime but involves unlimited personal liability.

A limited liability company (Lda. or single-member company) separates personal and business assets and limits shareholder liability, but requires more formalities and higher costs.

At Conta Plena, we help you choose the most suitable structure for your situation.

Only expenses directly related to your business activity are tax deductible, and you must hold valid invoices. Examples include salaries, materials and equipment.

Some expenses, such as vehicles, meals or representation costs, are subject to specific limits and rules.

We manage your accounting and make sure you only deduct what is legally allowed, avoiding issues with the Portuguese Tax Authority.

SAF-T (PT) is a mandatory digital file containing invoicing or accounting records, allowing the Portuguese Tax Authority to validate tax data automatically.

In Portugal, all companies must use certified invoicing software that generates this file automatically.

The invoicing SAF-T must be submitted by the 5th day of the month following invoice issuance, via the e-Fatura portal. The accounting SAF-T is only submitted when requested, for example during audits or inspections.

We handle the entire SAF-T process for you, ensuring timely and compliant submissions.

Hiring an employee involves tax and legal obligations from the first day. The employment contract must be formalised and communicated to Social Security within the legal deadline.

Each month, the company must:

  • Withhold personal income tax (IRS) where applicable
  • Pay Social Security contributions
  • Comply with mandatory benefits such as holiday pay, Christmas bonus and meal allowance, where applicable

Compliance with labour law and workplace safety regulations is mandatory, and non-compliance may result in fines. We make sure every employment obligation is handled correctly and without surprises.

An organised accounting firm is responsible for proper accounting records, preparation of financial statements, tax and reporting compliance, and technical responsibility for the accuracy of the information submitted.

Accountants must comply with confidentiality, professional competence and continuous legal updates. They are regulated by the Portuguese Order of Certified Accountants (OCC), including disciplinary responsibility in case of non-compliance.

Get in touch

Have a question? Talk to us.

Send us a message and our team will come back to you with clear, practical next steps for your business in Portugal.