Moving from Sweden
Moving from Sweden to Portugal: the tax checklist
What to close in Sweden, what to open in Portugal, and how to get the year you move right.
In short
Moving from Sweden to Portugal means closing your tax residence there and opening it here, ideally on the same date. Portugal and Sweden have a double tax treaty, so income is not taxed twice, but the timing and paperwork on both sides decide how smoothly the first year goes.
On the Swedish side
| Step | What to know |
|---|---|
| Report your move | Tell Skatteverket you are moving abroad so you are removed from the population register. |
| Essential connection | Sweden can keep taxing you as resident if you keep an essential connection, such as a home available to you or a business you run. The test looks at your whole situation. |
| No tax treaty | Sweden ended its tax treaty with Portugal from 2022. Double tax is relieved through each country's own credit rules, so the order of moves and the type of income matter more than usual. |
| Pensions and social insurance | EU rules decide which country you pay social security in. Check how Swedish pensions will be taxed once you live in Portugal. |
On the Portuguese side
- Get a NIF before or as soon as you arrive. See the NIF guide.
- Move your tax address to Portugal. From that date you are taxed as a resident on worldwide income.
- Check IFICI if your work qualifies, and apply by 15 January of the following year. See the IFICI guide.
- Register your activity before your first invoice, as a freelancer or through your own Lda.
- File your first IRS return between April and June of the following year. See your first IRS return.
The year you move
Most problems come from the two countries using different dates. Make the date you leave Sweden, the date your Portuguese tax address changes and the date you start work in Portugal match as closely as you can, and keep proof of each.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a tax treaty between Sweden and Portugal?
No. Sweden terminated the treaty from 2022. Relief from double tax depends on each country's domestic rules, so plan your departure and income carefully.
Can I keep a flat in Sweden?
You can, but a home kept available to you is one of the factors Sweden uses to decide whether you are still resident there.
Ask a specialist
Tell us where you are in the move. A Certified Accountant replies within two working days. Questions about visas, housing or insurance go to a vetted partner, only with your OK.