Yes, selling homemade food in Portugal is permitted under strict conditions. The activity falls under Regulamento (CE) n.º 852/2004 and national Decree-Law n.º 26/2023, which requires registration with local health authorities (Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica - ASAE) and compliance with hygiene standards. Micro-enterprises may operate under simplified regimes, but sales are limited to direct consumer transactions or local markets.
Key Regulations for Selling Homemade Food in Portugal
- Registration Mandate: Producers must register with the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) or local councils (Câmaras Municipais), depending on scale. Home-based operations require a Declaração de Atividade under Portaria n.º 102/2023.
- Hygiene and Traceability: Compliance with HACCP principles is mandatory for perishable goods. ASAE conducts unannounced inspections, with penalties up to €3,740 for violations (Decreto-Lei n.º 108/2021).
- Sales Restrictions: Homemade food may only be sold directly to consumers (e.g., farmers’ markets, online) or via small-scale retail. Wholesale distribution is prohibited without commercial kitchens certified by IPQ (Portuguese Institute for Quality).
Note: From 2026, the Regime Simplificado de Comércio Alimentar will tighten micro-enterprise exemptions, requiring digital traceability systems for all producers. Consult Portal da Empresa for updated sector-specific guidelines.