Initial document review
Review of contracts, invoices, communications, purchase orders and evidence showing the origin and enforceability of the claim.
International clients
Debt Recovery in Portugal for Foreign Companies
Legal support for foreign companies with overdue claims, unpaid invoices, breached contracts or debtors located in Portugal.
When to contact us
When your company should seek local support
We help foreign companies assess overdue debts in Portugal and identify the appropriate recovery route.
A foreign company issued invoices to a client or partner in Portugal and was not paid.
There is a contract, proposal, purchase order or email exchange documenting the payment obligation.
The debtor is a Portuguese company, sole trader or individual resident in Portugal.
The debt arises from goods supplied, services provided, consulting or an ongoing commercial relationship.
The debtor has stopped replying or keeps making repeated promises to pay.
The company needs to understand whether a formal demand, negotiation, payment order or court action may be appropriate.
Local legal support
How a foreign company may be supported
The work should be tailored to the documents, the creditor’s country, the debtor’s location and the connection of the debt with Portugal.
Local assessment in Portugal
Verification of debtor identification, territorial connection, known details and routes that may be considered in Portugal.
Formal contact with the debtor
Preparation of communication or demand, where appropriate, to request payment, obtain a response or prepare the next steps.
Assessment of court or procedural route
Review of whether a payment order, court action or other route may be appropriate, always subject to legal requirements and available evidence.
Support in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish
Multilingual communication helps with initial triage, understanding the documents and coordinating with foreign teams. Where necessary, the need for translation or certification of documents may also be assessed.
- review of documents issued by foreign companies;
- coordination with administrative or legal teams outside Portugal;
- clear communication on possible next steps;
- assessment of additional documents, translation or supporting evidence;
- local support with a debtor located in Portugal.
Information useful for an initial review
To avoid generic answers, the first contact should include enough information about the debt, the debtor and the documents available.
- Identification of the creditor company and the debtor in Portugal
- Contract, proposal, purchase order or commercial agreement
- Invoices, debit notes or account statements
- Proof of delivery of goods or provision of services
- Emails, messages or communications about the debt
- Proof of partial payments or promises to pay
- Information on applicable law, jurisdiction or relevant contractual clauses
- Details of urgency, amount due and whether the claim is disputed
How it works
A first step focused on decision-making
01
Send the essential information
The company identifies the debtor, summarises the commercial relationship and indicates the amount due.
02
Document review
The available elements are reviewed to understand the origin of the claim, existing evidence and points that need clarification.
03
Possible route assessment
Formal contact, negotiation, payment order, court action or another route may be considered depending on the case.
04
Next steps
After triage, possible options are indicated and, where appropriate, the need for a consultation or legal intervention is confirmed.
Related services
Other debt recovery support
Debt recovery may involve different stages. These services help frame the situation, prepare the first step and identify the most appropriate route, always subject to review of the specific case.
Main page
Debt recovery in Portugal
Overview of legal support for overdue claims, unpaid invoices and debtors connected with Portugal.
View main pageDebt collection
Debt collection in Portugal
Support in reviewing overdue debts, available documents, formal communication and possible routes to claim payment.
View debt collectionBusiness and contracts
Unpaid invoices and commercial debts
Review of commercial claims, services provided, goods delivered, overdue invoices and communications with the debtor.
Pre-litigation stage
Payment demand letter in Portugal
Preparation of formal communication to the debtor, where appropriate, to request payment or obtain a clear position.
Payment order
Payment order for debt recovery
Assessment of whether a payment order may be appropriate where the legal and documentary requirements are met.
Court action
Court action for debt recovery
Review of judicial routes when the debt is disputed, complex or not resolved through pre-litigation steps.
FAQ
Common questions from foreign companies
How can a foreign company recover a debt in Portugal?
A foreign company may need local support when the debtor is in Portugal, when the commercial relationship has a relevant connection with Portuguese territory or when the appropriate recovery route must be assessed. The starting point is a review of the documents, the contract and the debtor’s location.
Is it necessary to travel to Portugal?
In many cases, the initial review and part of the coordination can be handled remotely. The need for physical presence depends on the situation, the documents and the route chosen.
Can the debt be claimed if the documents are in another language?
It may be possible, but the need for translation, certification or additional documentation should be assessed, especially if a public authority or court is involved.
Should we start with a demand letter?
In several cases, it may be appropriate to start with formal contact or demand. Whether this is suitable depends on the amount, evidence, urgency and risk of dispute.
How is the viability of debt recovery in Portugal assessed?
Viability is assessed by reviewing the available documents, the amount due, the debtor’s identification, any dispute and the possible routes in Portugal. This helps determine whether formal contact, negotiation, payment order, court action or another route may be appropriate.
Does your company have outstanding amounts in Portugal?
Send the essential information about the debt, the debtor and the documents available. The team will review the request and indicate the appropriate next steps.