Portugal, one of Europe’s oldest countries established in 1143, has become a hub of tourism and infrastructure. With its advanced economic status and significant gold and lithium reserves, it has emerged as a highly developed nation. Moreover, Portugal is known for its positive attitude towards embracing new technologies and business possibilities, which contributes to its position as one of the most powerful economies in the world.
When it comes to crypto, Portugal is considered one of Europe’s most crypto-friendly nations. While there is currently no specific crypto regulation framework in place, the country follows anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regulations that align with EU standards. However, the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Asset Regulation (MiCAR) by the end of this year will provide more clarity to Portugal’s crypto regulation framework.
The Portuguese legal environment has recently been adapting to EU initiatives. The incorporation of the DLT Pilot Regime into Portuguese law opens new market opportunities for trading and financial instruments on distributed ledger technology. Crypto businesses in Portugal are required to undergo a registration process overseen by Banco de Portugal, ensuring compliance with AML/CFT regulations. For any crypto transactions over 1,000 euros, formalities and identification processes are mandatory.
In terms of taxation, Portugal offers a favorable policy for individual investors with its “tax-free” approach. Capital gain taxes and VAT do not apply to individual investors. However, professional and frequent traders are subject to a new tax regime since January 1, 2023, categorized into capital income, capital gains, and self-employment income. These categories are subject to different tax rates ranging from 14.5% to 53%.
Crypto mining is also legal in Portugal, with specific tax rules in place. Individual miners have a fixed presumption of expenses at 5%. Businesses, on the other hand, are taxed at progressive rates based on 95% of the gross income from mining.
Portugal’s journey towards crypto regulation and acceptance began in 2016 when cryptocurrencies were recognized as not legal tender but untaxable. Since then, laws and directives have been implemented to combat money laundering, strengthen the country’s framework against terrorist financing, and promote digital empowerment and flexible regulations for technology testing.
With its progressive regulation framework and attractive tax regime, Portugal continues to be a sought-after destination for crypto enthusiasts. As the implementation of MiCAR approaches, Portugal’s crypto-friendly environment is expected to further enhance, solidifying its position as a leading crypto destination in Europe.
Perguntas frequentes (FAQs):
1. Qual é o status legal das criptomoedas em Portugal?
Em Portugal, as criptomoedas são consideradas legais e não são consideradas moeda de curso legal. No entanto, elas ainda não possuem um quadro regulatório específico, mas estão sujeitas às regulamentações de combate à lavagem de dinheiro (AML) e financiamento ao terrorismo (CFT) alinhadas com os padrões da União Europeia.
2. Quais são os requisitos para empresas cripto em Portugal?
As empresas de criptomoedas em Portugal devem passar por um processo de registro supervisionado pelo Banco de Portugal para garantir conformidade com as regulamentações AML/CFT. Para transações com criptomoedas acima de 1.000 euros, processos de identificação e formalidades são obrigatórios.
3. Como funciona a tributação das criptomoedas em Portugal?
Portugal oferece uma política fiscal favorável para investidores individuais, com uma abordagem “isenta de impostos”. Não há impostos sobre ganhos de capital e IVA para investidores individuais. No entanto, traders profissionais são sujeitos a um novo regime fiscal desde 1º de janeiro de 2023, com categorias de renda de capital, ganhos de capital e renda de trabalho autônomo sujeitas a diferentes alíquotas de imposto que variam de 14,5% a 53%.
4. A mineração de criptomoedas é legal em Portugal?
Sim, a mineração de criptomoedas é legal em Portugal. Existem regras fiscais específicas para a mineração. Para mineradores individuais, é presumido um gasto fixo de 5%. Empresas são taxadas com alíquotas progressivas baseadas em 95% da renda bruta da mineração.
Definições importantes:
– AML (Anti-Money Laundering): Regulamentações e medidas para combater a lavagem de dinheiro.
– CFT (Counter-Terrorism Financing): Regulamentações e medidas para combater o financiamento ao terrorismo.
– MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation): Regulamento dos Mercados de Cripto-Ativos. (URL da Autoridade Europeia dos Valores Mobiliários e dos Mercados: link)
Links relacionados sugeridos:
– Banco de Portugal: link
– Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira de Portugal: link
– ASAE (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica): link
