Registration with IMPIC – Instituto dos Mercados Públicos, do Imobiliário e da Construção is a fundamental requirement for all foreign companies intending to operate temporarily in the construction sector in Portugal.This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what IMPIC is, when registration is required, and what documents and requirements are involved.
- IMPIC Registration for Construction Work
- Temporary and occasional Provision of Services Regime
- Registration Procedure
- Information Required in the Registration Form
IMPIC Registration for Construction Work
IMPIC is the Portuguese authority that regulates public markets, real estate, and the construction sector. All companies carrying out construction work in Portugal, even temporarily, must notify their activity before the beginning of the work.
Any foreign company planning to perform private construction works in Portugal must assess its situation under two main legal regimes:
- Permanent establishment (Art. 27 of Law 41/2015)
- Temporary and occasional provision of services (Art. 28 of Law 41/2015)
This distinction is crucial for determining the type of administrative and documentation obligations.
Temporary and occasional Provision of Services Regime
Foreign companies legally established in an EU or EEA Member State that post workers to Portugal in the context of transnational service provision are not required to register but must formally notify IMPIC before starting activities.
Under Art. 28 of Decree-Law No. 41/2015, service providers not established in Portugal, but legally constituted in an EU/EEA State, may operate occasionally or sporadically only if they meet the following formal requirements:
- They possess commercial capacity in their country of origin, verifiable through administrative cooperation with IMPIC;
- They hold civil liability insurance issued by an insurance institution, or an equivalent financial guarantee, proportional to the value of the project;
- They hold work accident insurance for the employees performing the activities in Portugal.
The procedure for registration under the occasional service provision regime is simplified and does not require payment of administrative fees.
Registration Procedure
To register with IMPIC, a foreign company operating temporarily in Portugal must submit the following documentation:
- Commercial registry excerpt proving the legal existence in the country of origin;
- Documents certifying technical and commercial suitability;
- Proof of required insurance policies, in accordance with both Portuguese and home country law;
- Identification of the technical manager responsible for executing the works, if applicable
- Form C1 – “Declaração de livre prestação de serviços” – completed.
All documentation must be accompanied by a certified Portuguese translation.
Information Required in the Registration Form
Companies established in another EU or EEA Member State intending to perform occasional or temporary construction work in Portugal must submit Form C1 to IMPIC.
This is a formal declaration that must be sent before the start of activities in Portugal.
The form includes 3 main sections, which must be filled with the following information:
1. Company Details
- Company name
- Legal form
- Country and address of the registered office
- VAT number
- Nature of the business (e.g. construction work, installation, technical systems…)
- Company contact details (phone, email)
2. Project Information
- Start date of the activity
- Contact person (preferably based in Portugal)
- Contact person’s address
- Email and phone number of the contact person
The declaration has no fixed expiry date but remains valid for the entire duration of the declared work.
If the company carries out new work or a different project in Portugal at a later time, a new Form C1 must be submitted.
