Francisco Cabral Matos
Francisco Cabral Matos joined VdA in 2007. He is the Head Partner of the Tax practice where he has been involved in several corporate transactions, namely in corporate restructuring, banking and finance, international tax planning and tax litigation.
Francisco has also been providing tax and legal assistance in numerous private wealth transactions and private client planning.
Lawyer of the Year, Forty under 40 Awards - Tax - 2021
Law degree University of Lisbon Faculty of Law.
Post-graduation in Tax Management, Higher Institute of Economics and Management Technical University of Lisbon.
Master in Advanced Studies (Adv LLM) in International Tax Law, International Tax Center University of Leiden.
- Teaching Associate at the International Tax Center Leiden University on EU Tax Law and Value Added Tax courses.
- Lecturer at the Institute for Economic, Fiscal and Tax Law of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (IDEFF) on the Advanced Postgraduate Course in Tax Law.
- Lecturer at University of Minho Tax Summer Course 2016
- Guest speaker in Centro de Estudos Judiciários (Portuguese Training Institute for Judges) on International Taxation 2015
- Teaching Assistant at International Tax Center Leiden University on the subjects Fundamentals of International Taxation and Tax Treaties (2011-12).
- Guest speaker in International Tax Conference - Rome 2014, organized by Malta Institute of Management
- Guest speaker in GREIT Summer Course 2013 organized by Group for Research on European and International Taxation - GREIT
- Guest speaker in 2012 EU Taxation Seminar organized by the Minister of Finance Training Institute - Taiwan (MOFTI), addressing the topic European VAT and Customs Union.
Before joining the firm he worked at the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union (2007) as liaison officer of the Portuguese Government.
Author of various articles namely:
- "From Crisis to Opportunity: Portugal is becoming a Gateway for Investment", Expert Tax Guide 2013;
- "Draft Budget Law: Corporate Reform has Major Tax Consequences", Tax Notes International, volume 72, nr. 3 (2013);
- "Is Portugal Still An Interesting Country For Investors To Look At?", Expert Tax Guide 2012;
- "Recent developments in ECJ case law on UCITS", Revista de Finanças Públicas e Direito Fiscal, Year V, N.º 3, Fall (co-author);
- "Portugal in a quest for competitiveness", Livro de Homenagem ao Professor Alberto Xavier (co-author), 2012;
- "Contribution for "Foreign Tax and Trade Briefs", Thomas Jefferson School of Law (2011);
- "The curious case of insurance agreements", Fiscalidade no. 35 (co-author);
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"The taxation of non-resident taxpayers and EC Law", Fiscalidade no. 34.
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association, to the International Fiscal Association (IFA) and to the Portuguese Fiscal Association (AFP).
Admitted to the Timor-Leste Bar Association (Conselho de Gestão e Disciplina).
English, French, German, Spanish.
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Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Band 3 -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2026 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Tax Controversy 2026 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
-
Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Band 4 -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2025 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Tax Controversy 2025 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner
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Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Band 4"Francisco presents very strong technical knowledge." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner
-
Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Up and Coming"Francisco Cabral Matos is always very responsive and provides the client with clear advice." -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Tax Controversy 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partners"Francisco Cabral Matos is recommended."
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Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Up and Coming"Very responsive and attentive lawyer." -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Tax Controversy 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner"Francisco Cabral Matos is for sure one of the “rising stars” of tax law in Portugal. He has an exceptional knowledge of local and international regulations. He is 100% client focused and always very reactive."
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Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Associates to Watch"He impresses anyone with his deep knowledge of all matters relating to his practice. His contributions are invaluable." -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2021 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Tax Controversy 2021 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Rising stars / Recommended Lawyer
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Chambers Europe
Tax - Band 1
Associate to Watch"A top tax adviser." "He can easily adapt himself to have an effective communication style." -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Tax Controversy 2020 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Indirect Tax 2020 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Rising stars / Recommended Lawyers"A solid and reliable professional, with a very kind and friendly manner." "A fantastic lawyer and has excellent tax knowledge.""