Every year the number of people returning to Portugal using the so-called Regressar Program, a program launched in 2019 that grants tax incentives to emigrants returning to the country, increases.
Almost 18,000 people returned to Portugal with the Regressar Program, a program launched in 2019 that grants tax incentives to returning emigrants. According to data from the Social Security cited by the Jornal de Notícias, the number of validated applications increases every year and more than half of those who return had left in the years of troika (2011-2014).
In four years, 17,751 people returned to the country, between 2019 (the first full year of the program) and April 2023 – the number of returns has been increasing every year, without interruption.
Around 57% of those supported by Regressar left Portugal between 2011 and 2015 and almost 80% of those who return are under 44 years of age. The data also shows that 38% have higher education.
The Regressar Program encourages emigrants who have left Portugal for at least three years and who, in 2026, start working in the country. Initially it was thought that the mechanism would be valid for two years, in 2019 and 2020, but the Government decided to extend it until 2023.
The tax regime of the Regressar program establishes that they are exempt from taxation [IRS] “50% of the income from dependent work and the business and professional income of taxpayers who, becoming tax residents in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023” have been tax residents in Portugal before December 31, 2015 or before December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2020.
The support can reach 3,363 euros per contract, recalls JN. Return trips and freight transport expenses are paid with a total maximum limit of 1,441 euros each. There are increases in support for each family member and if the professional activity is carried out on their own or in the interior of the country.
Source: Observadora
