Extraordinary measures endorsing the liquidity of families and companies: mitigation of the tax impact of the “moratorium” on the repayment of loans

Considering the current economic and social circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the renewal of the declaration of a state of emergency, the Secretary of State for Tax Affairs has clarified, through Order No. 138/2020-XXII, the stamp duty rules applying to cases of deferral of the repayment of loans, as well as to […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

Impact of Covid-19 on general meetings of commercial companies

The exceptional circumstances currently being experienced cannot fail to be considered by the corporate bodies of commercial companies, both the management and the bodies where the shareholders participate. In Portugal, Decree-Law No. 10-A/2020 was published on March 13, establishing exceptional and temporary measures related to the present epidemiological situation. With relevance to corporate law, article […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

State Aid in a Pandemic Time – the New Temporary Framework of the European Commission

One of the main characteristics of the time of COVID-19 is the constant adaptation required from societies, undertakings, persons, governmental institutions, either national or supranational, in order to balance the demands of public health (which is a responsibility of the States) with the need to keep the economy and society running. During this time, as Sérvulo […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

Support measures to companies and credit line Capitalizar 2018 – COVID 19

In response to the difficulties faced by the companies whose activity is affected by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese Government has approved, by the Council of Ministers Resolution no. 10-A/2020, of 13 March (amended by the Council of Ministers Resolution no. 11-A/2020, of 23 March), a set of measures to provide […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

ESMA recommends action by financial market participants for COVID-19 impact

In March of 2020, the European Securities and Market Authority (“ESMA”) issued a sequence of recommendations to financial market participants in light of the enduring impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on financial markets. The recommendations pertain to business continuity planning, market disclosure, financial reporting and fund management. In regard to Business Continuity Planning, ESMA recommends that market […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

Deferral of the payment of Social Security contributions

The spread of COVID-19 has led to several adversities in companies’ regular operational performance, legitimising a major legislative profusion to address the new challenges. In view of supporting the economic activity, rules for the deferral of the payment of Social Security contributions are being defined. To this end, the Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

For exceptional times, exceptional measures: the impact of COVID-19 in the compliance with tax obligations

Considering the effects that the spread of COVID-19 will have on the economic activity, the Secretary of State for Tax Affairs has issued Order 104/2020.XXII, on March 9th, intended at adopting several measures to extend the deadlines for voluntary compliance with tax obligations, as well as extending the possible causes for the verification of the so-called […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

Portuguese Data Privacy Authority – Health data of employees (COVID-19)

The National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) published on its website an orientation dated 23 April on the collection of Employee’s Health Data. Under the terms of the aforementioned guidelines, the employer cannot collect and record the workers’ body temperature or other information related to the health or possible risk behaviours of their employees. This prohibition […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

State Aid: the vaccine the economy needs?

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to severe (although necessary) actions from Member States that restrict the normal activity of several economic sectors such as tourism, restauration and commerce. These measures, unavoidably, cause serious difficulties to undertakings that are unable to function and finance themselves as usual. In turn, this creates a serious risk for the […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

COVID-19: Medical devices and personal protective equipment (Recommendation)

Last week the European Commission published Recommendation (EU) 2020/403 on the conformity assessment and market surveillance procedures for Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) and medical devices within the scope of COVID-19. In view of the sharp increase in demand, the Commission wants economic operators in the supply chain and market surveillance bodies and authorities to employ all possible […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados

COVID-19: Guide for Companies and Employees

The World Health Organization declared a pandemic state on March 11th. Companies are resisting to operational repercussions and adaptation is the keyword. Saturday morning was published: a) Decree-Law No. 10-A/2020 of March 13th, which establishes exceptional and temporary measures related to the epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus – COVID-19; and b) Council of Ministers’ Resolution No. 10-A/2020, which approves a set […]

Manuel MagalhãesPartner, Sérvulo & Associados