Finance

Green Receipt: what is it?

Have you ever heard of the term “Green Receipt”? This is a term from the world of work that refers to self-employment. Find out if you fit this definition and understand how to issue yours.

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Find out more about Recibo Verde: work as a freelancer!

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Understand what it is and how it works! Source: AdobeStock.

If you want to find out what the Green Receipt is, don't worry, we'll explain all the details! Furthermore, you will still know what it is for and everything about how to issue yours!

So, the Green Receipt is the way in which self-employed workers are known in Portugal. In other words, they are independent professionals who provide some type of service to a company or third party.

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In other words, for those who do not have an employment relationship. So, you can work punctually or permanently. 

Furthermore, as a Green Receipt, you are not eligible for some benefits and have greater difficulty accessing Social Security. So, stay tuned and evaluate your job proposal.

Why Green Receipt?

In fact, the term Green Receipt exists in relation to proof of payment for the service. In the past, the paper filled in for the receipt was green. This is how the name remained even with the modernization of the system.

This way, you can issue your receipt online through the Finance Portal. In addition, you can also issue two other types of documents: invoice and invoice receipt. Shall we learn more about each one?

Receipt

This is the document that needs to be issued when you receive payment for the service provided to the company you joined.

Invoice

Whenever you make a commercial transaction, you must issue an invoice. But be aware, the invoice does not replace issuing a receipt!

Receipt-Invoice

This document combines the two previous documents into just one, facilitating issuance and accounting.

Green Receipt or Contracted?

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After all, what's the difference? Source: AdobeStock.

The difference between working as a Green Receipt or a contractor for a company is quite big and touches on different points.

So, if it is a green receipt you have some fewer rights, but it also has some advantages. Furthermore, the self-employed worker has some obligations. 

Such as, for example, paying the appropriate IRS and VAT taxes. In addition, it is necessary to contribute to Social Security and take out employment insurance. Furthermore, you must make a periodic declaration of the amounts received.

But let's see more details about the advantages and disadvantages of being a Green Receipt? This way you better understand how the system works.

Advantages and disadvantages

Firstly, a good advantage is working with flexible hours. In other words, you don't need to stick to a pre-established schedule. But the contracted service must arrive within the agreed deadline.

Furthermore, as a Green Receipt, you do not need to work daily at the company's headquarters. You also organize your transportation.

On the other hand, one of the disadvantages is the absence of some rights and benefits that cover contracted workers. Such as, absence of the right to paid vacation and Christmas bonus.

Furthermore, you also need to plan for times when the service offering decreases. This is because the jobs are not constant and you can make more money in one month than the next.

Rights

Thus, some rights enjoyed by those who contribute to Social Security are:

  • Unemployment insurance;
  • Health insurance;
  • Parenting insurance.

However, as mentioned before, the rules for obtaining these benefits are more complex and require more rules from you. But, be aware of your professional rights!

Become a Green Receipt

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After all, how to do it? Source: AdobeStock.

Starting to work as a freelancer is quite simple. Therefore, you must register your professional activity on the Finance Portal website.

Therefore, submit some documents, such as a declaration of activity. Finally, just choose your company’s accounting system.

This regime can be Simplified, for people who earn less than 200 thousand euros per year. But it can also be Organized Accounting for amounts higher than that mentioned.

Furthermore, just wait for confirmation and approval from the Finance Portal. Afterwards, you can provide services and issue your receipts. But how to do this?

How to issue the Green Receipt

In fact, if you are interested in being a green receipt, this is possible and easy to do. Firstly, you need to access the Finance Portal website.

Then, in the search bar in the right corner of the screen you must write “green receipt” and click on the magnifying glass.

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Thus, you will be redirected to a new page with some options. Click on access on the first one that appears: “Green Invoices and Receipts”.

It is worth remembering that at this point you must already be registered and logged in with your account on the site. If you aren't already, now is the time to do so. Fill in your information and enter the platform.

Step by step to issue the Green Receipt

Now, on the green invoices and receipts page, you can both consult and issue them. So, click on the “issue” option.

Next, you must choose between “invoice/invoice-receipt” and “Receipt”. Click on the first option and fill in the requested information.

Thus, some of the information requested is: date of service provision, type of document, name, address, NIF.

In addition, you must add other personal data relating to the exercise of your professional activity and the service in question. Like, for example, your customer data.

“Transmission of goods or provision of services”

This step may be the most complex to issue your receipt. This is because you will need to enter your VAT regime, invoice value and describe the service. So, pay attention and follow the step by step! 

To choose your VAT regime, you must know whether your activity is tax-exempt. Furthermore, if you earn up to 12,500 euros annually, you are also exempt from paying VAT.

So investigate all this information. Furthermore, if your annual income does not exceed the aforementioned amount, you are also exempt from the IRS. The most common percentage is 100%.

But, if this is not your case, look for the percentage that you should apply according to your situation, such as an emigrant, doctors or people with disabilities. Even if you have income greater than the amount mentioned, you must complete IRS withholding tax.

Discover how to work at Glovo!

So, did you enjoy learning more about Recibo Verde? But, how about finding out about some work options in Portugal?

One of the companies that is successful in self-employment is Glovo! This is a delivery app. So, you can work as a courier, that is, a delivery person.

To do this, you just need a cell phone and any vehicle, it can even be a bicycle! Did you find it interesting?

So, click on the link below and find out how to work at this company by following our exclusive step-by-step guide!

Entregador com pacote Glovo

How to apply for a courier vacancy on Glovo?

Starting to work at Glovo is very easy. You just need to access the company's app website and complete a brief registration. Understand how the procedure works and apply for jobs!

About the author  /  Filipe Travanca

Bachelor in History and Audiovisual from the University of São Paulo. Passionate about writing and literature, he works as a screenwriter, editor and short story writer, exploring the most varied themes and subjects. A very curious person, who likes to study a little bit of everything and share this learning in his texts.

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