Once you have a home in Portugal, the search for reliable, English-speaking trades begins, and it rarely stops. Plumbers, electricians, builders, someone to fit the air conditioning or the solar panels. The frustration is real, but Portugal gives you more protection than people realise, as long as you hire properly. Here is how to vet a tradesperson, which work legally needs certification, and why the invoice matters more than you think.
The invoice is your protection, not a formality
In Portugal, a business must give you a proper invoice, a fatura, for every job, with their tax number and yours, whether or not you ask. It is not optional, and it is not paperwork for its own sake. A fatura is your proof of contract, your route to the legal guarantee, your cover for an insurance claim, and your record for tax. Cash work with no invoice may look cheaper, but it leaves you with no protection if the job goes wrong. Always insist on a fatura with your NIF.
The work that legally needs a certified professional
Some jobs cannot legally be done by just anyone, and for good reason:
- Gas. Gas installation and repair must be done by a credentialed gas installer, who issues a declaration of conformity. Installations also need periodic official inspections. Uncertified gas work is illegal and can get your supply cut off.
- Electrical. Electrical installation work must be signed off by a technician with the recognised qualification, who issues a responsibility statement. Without it, the work cannot be properly certified or connected.
- Building work. Construction firms need the correct registration or licence from IMPIC above certain values. You can check a firm on the IMPIC register before hiring.
How to vet anyone before you hire
- Confirm they trade as a registered business with a tax number, so they can legally issue a fatura.
- For builders, check their licence on the IMPIC register for the value and type of work.
- For gas and electrical work, ask for the conformity declaration or responsibility statement, and confirm they are certified.
- Get a written quote, and insist on a proper invoice with your NIF.
- Check they offer a complaints book, including the online version at livroreclamacoes.pt, which every trader must provide.
Your guarantee rights
Portuguese law gives you a real guarantee on work and goods. Consumer goods carry a three-year guarantee. Building work on property carries longer protection, five years for many defects and up to ten years for structural problems. None of this helps you if you paid cash with no invoice, which is the whole point of getting the paperwork right.
Looking for vetted, English-speaking trades in your area?
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Frequently asked questions
Should I take the cash, no-invoice price?
No. Without a fatura you lose your guarantee, your insurance cover and your tax record, and you may be party to a tax offence. Always get an invoice with your NIF.
How do I check a builder is legitimate?
Confirm their tax number and check their licence on the IMPIC register for the value and type of work. For gas and electrical work, ask for the certification documents.
What guarantee do I get on building work?
Building work carries a legal guarantee, commonly five years for many defects and up to ten years for structural elements, provided you have a proper contract and invoice.
Sources
- DGEG, gas and electrical installer certification: dgeg.gov.pt
- IMPIC, construction company licence register: impic.pt
- Consumer guarantee law (Decree-Law 84/2021): diariodarepublica.pt
- Complaints book, official portal: livroreclamacoes.pt
General information, current as of June 2026, and not legal advice. Certification rules and guarantee periods can change. Confirm a professional’s credentials before hiring. Related reading: the Templates and Scripts pack for contacting trades and services.
