Belzuz to host webinar on franchise agreements in Portugal

Belzuz Abogados has announced a free online seminar on the legal framework for franchising, with a dedicated section on Portugal. Scheduled for 19 November 2026, the session will cover agreements, the parties’ rights and obligations, disputes and risk prevention, including issues relevant to expansion between the Portuguese and Spanish markets.

Free session with a focus on the Portuguese market

The webinar will take place on Zoom from 10:00 to 12:00 CET, the time zone specified by the organisers. The programme combines an analysis of Spain’s legal framework with a presentation on franchise agreements in Portugal, scheduled for 11:30 CET.

According to Belzuz Abogados, the aim is to offer a practical, up-to-date overview of the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. The session will address both domestic network development and cross-border expansion, with an explicit focus on the Portuguese market.

For those involved in franchising in Portugal, the comparison between the two countries will be particularly relevant. Pre-contractual disclosure, termination of the agreement and compensation are the three areas highlighted for this analysis. The event is educational, focusing on understanding contractual relationships and preventing disputes.

From know-how to exit terms

The first thematic session, scheduled for 10:10 CET, will focus on the structure and elements of the agreement. The programme will explain why, in legal terms, franchising involves more than a trade mark licence, identifying components such as know-how, ongoing support and exclusivity, where applicable.

This section will also cover the pre-contractual disclosure document under Spanish law: what it must contain, when it must be provided and the consequences of non-compliance. Portugal-specific issues will be addressed later in the comparative session, helping participants distinguish between the requirements of each market.

At 10:30 CET, the agenda turns to the parties’ rights and obligations. Topics will include control and supervision, royalties, brand protection, training, support and access to the franchise network’s system. Exclusivity will be discussed as a provision that the parties may agree contractually.

The duration of the relationship, renewal and exit arrangements also form part of this session. The organisers will also examine potentially unfair clauses, including contractual imbalances, automatic penalties, discretionary decisions made without defined criteria and disproportionate restrictions.

Disputes and checks before signing

From 10:55 CET, the seminar will address common disputes and their consequences. Announced topics include breaches relating to the network’s system, support, payments and exclusivity, as well as disagreements over the interpretation of the agreement.

The programme also covers pre-contractual issues and questions of contractual invalidity, with attention to legal arguments, evidence and time limits. The discussion of early termination will consider justified and unjustified grounds, alongside the role of procedures designed to remedy breaches.

Compensation is another planned topic, including unamortised investments, goodwill and damages. Confidentiality and post-termination non-compete obligations complete this section, which examines the relationship beyond the opening and day-to-day operation of a franchise outlet.

At 11:15 CET, the focus shifts to pre-contractual review. Belzuz will present a checklist for examining an agreement before signing and identifying warning signs. Mediation and arbitration will be introduced as alternatives to court proceedings for resolving disputes.

Portugal concludes the thematic programme

The 11:30 CET session will focus on the status of franchise agreements in Portugal as contracts not governed by a specific statutory regime. The comparison with Spain will examine the main similarities and differences in pre-contractual disclosure, termination of the relationship and compensation.

This sequence places the Portuguese perspective after the discussion of contractual elements, obligations and disputes. For anyone considering projects across the two markets, it offers a way to organise questions around the specific issues the session aims to clarify, without confusing the Spanish and Portuguese legal frameworks.

In practice: anyone considering joining a franchise network or expanding a brand can prepare questions about pre-contractual disclosure, support, exclusivity and exit arrangements. These topics feature on the agenda and can help guide an individual legal review before any commitments are made.