João Velez de Lima
João Velez de Lima joined VdA in 2021. He is Partner of the Tax practice and Head Partner of the Porto office.
He particularly focuses his practice on corporate taxes, providing regular tax advice to national and international clients on a wide range of taxes as part of the (national and international) tax planning of corporate and international groups, and within the context of tax litigation.
João regularly supervises tax compliance, which includes the review of tax returns, audit and provision of tax support to close Portuguese companies’ accounts, and tax due diligences.
He has coordinated and managed the tax part of many M&A and corporate restructuring processes of corporate groups across different economic sectors and provided tax support to national companies going global and in family succession processes.
He often provides support within the context of structuring international investment in Portugal, particularly in the new technologies and real estate sectors.
Law Degree, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto Law School).
“Brazilian Tax Law Overview” Course, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Lisbon Law School) | Fundação Getúlio Vargas
International and Application of Tax Treaties and Principles of Transfer Pricing, IBFD International Tax Academy
International Course on Tax Treaties and Hybrid Instruments – IBFD International Tax Academy
He has participated as speaker/trainer in several tax seminars and courses.
Before joining VdA, João was a Managing Associate and Partner at PLMJ Advogados, and an associate of the tax departments of two Iberian firms between 2004 and 2012 (Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira e Garrigues).
He started his career as a tax consultant at Arthur Andersen/Deloitte in 2001 and was Tax Senior Manager at KPMG between 2013 and 2015.
João has contributed several articles to industry magazines, directories, and newspapers.
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association.
Member of the International Fiscal Association
Member of the Portuguese Fiscal Association.
English, Spanish.
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Chambers Europe
Porto - General Business Law - Band 2
Band 2Tax - Band 1
Band 5 -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Tax Controversy 2026 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Transactional Tax 2026 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Porto - Leading commercial firms - Tier 1
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
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Chambers Europe
Porto - General Business Law - Band 2
Band 2Tax - Band 1
Band 5 -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Tax Controversy 2025 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Transactional Tax 2025 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Porto - Leading commercial firms - Tier 1
Next Generation PartnerPortugal | Tax - Tier 1
Leading Partner
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Chambers Europe
Porto - General Business Law - Band 2
Band 3 (Tax)"João Velez de Lima is a great tax adviser, with very high technical skills and a really good attitude." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Porto - Leading commercial firms - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner"João Velez Lima has great knowledge of legislation and a fantastic ability to argue."Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner"João Velez de Lima: great capacity for work; the non-conformist who always looks for solutions; ambitious and very hardworking."
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Chambers Europe
General Business Law – Porto - Band 2
Band 3"João Velez de Lima is a great and dedicated professional." -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Tax Controversy 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly RegardedWorld Tax | Transactional Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Porto - Leading commercial firms - Tier 2
Next Generation Partners"The team always keeps the client updated. Always concerned in finding the best solutions. João Velez de Lima (...) are recommended; Lawyers who stand out are (...) João Velez de Lima."Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation Partners
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Chambers Europe
General Business Law – Porto - Band 3
Up and Coming: Tax"Has a deep knowledge of Portuguese tax legislation and is service-oriented; He focuses on solving problems in an efficient manner." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Tax - Tier 1
Next Generation PartnerPortugal | Porto - Leading commercial firms - Tier 2
Next Generation Partner