Leaving for good?
Work out the reserve you need, your minimum hourly price and what changes for VAT, withholding tax and social security, before you hand in your notice.
GUIDE 02 / WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Courage is not
a leap in the dark.
Five steps for anyone who wants to work for themselves in Portugal: name the fear, test the idea with real clients and run the real numbers, from your transition fund to VAT, income tax and social security.
One-off payment. PDF to download after purchase.
FOR PEOPLE READY TO MOVE
The same dream.
Two paths.
You do not need to drop everything tomorrow. You need to know how long you can last, what to charge and what Portuguese law will ask of you.
Starting gradually?
Test the idea while keeping your salary, with the rules for combining both, mandatory insurance and a clear deadline for your next decision.
Written for residents and newcomers who will provide services in Portugal as self-employed workers. Rules checked in October 2026.
THE CONTENT / FIVE STEPS
Less fear.
More numbers.
From first doubt to decision. Five steps to turn "what if it goes wrong?" into a plan with answers.
Name the fear
Turn vague fear into risks with answers.
A fear map, if-then plans and a decision date, so you stop reopening the question every day.
Validate
Look for evidence of demand before you leap.
Ten conversations, a one-sentence offer and a first paying client, before logos and websites.
Run the numbers
Know how much you need to invoice.
Minimum budget, transition fund and hourly price, including social security and an income tax reserve.
Set up
Register without surprises.
Simplified regime, VAT, withholding, social security, mandatory insurance and notice periods, explained with official sources.
Keep the pace
Keep your activity standing.
A weekly routine, a monthly review and criteria set in advance to continue, adjust or step back.
FROM IDEA TO PRACTICE
Not just to read.
To work with.
The PDF includes the complete ebook and a workbook with eight tools for reference and printing. One file, with clickable contents and notes linking to official sources.
- 01Fear map
- 02Minimum personal budget
- 03Transition fund
- 04Pricing
- 05Validation sheet
- 06Obligations calendar
- 07Monthly solo review
- 08Decision letter
ADAPTED PREVIEW OF TOOL 04
What do I
need to charge?
01
How much do I want to earn, net, per year?
02
What do my activity, social security and income tax cost?
03
How many hours can I actually bill?
Fictional example: 19,200 euros net per year requires about 31,700 euros of invoicing, or 29 euros per hour excluding VAT.
Adapted preview of a workbook tool.
A REALISTIC PACE
90 days to decide.
No promises of success.
A plan included in the ebook, for three to five hours a week. On day 90 you choose: go ahead, postpone, adjust or let go calmly.
- Days 1 to 30
Prepare
Fear map, the three numbers and the conversation at home.
- Days 31 to 60
Validate and set up
Ten conversations, proposals and a meeting with an accountant.
- Days 61 to 90
Decide and launch
Review the numbers and choose your path.
ONE EDITION. ONE STARTING POINT.
Your leap,
with a safety net.
Not ready to leave your job yet? Build in Parallel helps you balance full-time work, children and a business of your own.
See Build in ParallelSingle edition in English
Courage by the Numbers
€19
Launch price
One-off payment. No subscription.
- 1 complete PDF in English, 36 pages
- Workbook with 8 tools for reference and printing, in the same PDF
- 90-day plan and worked calculations using 2026 rules
Purchase and payment on Payhip. Digital PDF delivery, with no ZIP or editable formats.
Bilingual bundle: €29, in a single 71-page PDF with the Portuguese and English editions and both workbooks.
Buy PT + EN · €29FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before you start.
What does the single edition include?
A 36-page PDF with the complete ebook, an eight-tool workbook and a 90-day plan. It does not include editable files, consulting or individual tax advice.
Is it useful if I do not live in Portugal?
The mental strategy, validation and calculation method work in any country. The VAT, income tax, social security and insurance rules are Portuguese.
Does it replace an accountant?
No. The guide explains the main rules and helps you prepare your first meeting with a certified accountant, who should confirm your case.
Are the rules up to date?
They were checked against official sources in October 2026. They change often, especially with each State Budget, and the PDF lists the sources so you can confirm.
Does it guarantee success?
No. The figures in the cases are fictional and illustrative. The guide helps you decide with information, including the decision to wait or not go ahead.
How do I open and use the PDF?
Each product is a single PDF, to read on screen or print. There is no ZIP to extract. The workbook has no editable form fields.