Practical guide · updated 8 October 2026
Two paths: open your own agency or join an existing structure
Working as a travel agent can follow two main paths. The first is to open your own travel agency, with the registration and licences required in your country. The second is to develop an independent activity inside an ecosystem that already holds the legal structure and registration.
The choice depends on the investment you are willing to make, your knowledge of the sector, your experience with legal obligations, and whether you want to take on management responsibilities. Both models require learning and consistent work, but they start in different ways.
You can develop this activity from home, online. People based in different countries can take part; the legal and tax set-up is not the same everywhere. Requirements are explained when you get in touch through the information page.
Global Gateways By Marta is a personal and independent channel, not an official icligo channel.
What opening an agency requires (Portugal as an example)
Requirements for opening a travel agency vary by country. In Portugal, for example, the law requires registration in the RNAVT (National Register of Travel and Tourism Agencies), managed by Turismo de Portugal. Decree-Law no. 17/2018 sets out the legal regime for travel and tourism agencies.
In the Portuguese case, the main requirements include:
- RNAVT registration: the agency must be listed in the national register. The process is described on the gov.pt service page.
- Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund: a duty to subscribe to the fund that protects clients if the agency becomes insolvent. Official information is on Turismo de Portugal.
- Professional liability insurance: cover for damage caused to clients.
- Visible registration number: the register number must appear in all advertising and communication, including websites and social media.
I do not list fees or costs here because they change and they differ between countries. If you are outside Portugal, check your national tourism authority. In every case, speak with a qualified accountant about tax duties and the full cost of opening an agency in your context.
Working independently in an ecosystem with training and support
The second path is to develop the activity independently inside an ecosystem that already holds the required registration and offers training, tools, ongoing support and access to operators and partners. This is the model presented on the work-from-home travel activity page.
In this model you work as an independent professional in tourism through the icligo ecosystem (“icligo Travel Partner”). The legal structure already exists, which means you do not open your own agency register or subscribe to a guarantee fund in your own name — at least in the countries where that structure is already in place. Confirm how this works where you live when you speak with Marta.
What this model includes:
- Initial training to learn tools, procedures and good practice;
- Ongoing support and a community of other Travel Partners;
- Access to platforms, operators and support materials;
- Work from home, with a flexible schedule, but with the need to be available for clients and training.
Important: Conditions, including any joining costs, are explained before any decision. Income is not guaranteed. This is not a job with a fixed salary; it is a professional activity carried out independently. Country-specific tax and registration details are clarified when you get in touch through the information page.
Skills you will use
Whichever path you choose, the skills are similar. You will need to:
- Research and compare: look for travel options, compare operators and match solutions to the client’s profile.
- Communicate: listen, ask questions to understand real needs, and explain proposals clearly and honestly.
- Prepare proposals: structure detailed quotes, explain what is included and what is not, and offer alternatives when that helps.
- Follow through: answer questions before booking, handle changes during the trip, and stay available after the client returns.
- Promote your service and build contacts: talk about what you do, build trust, and develop your own client base.
- Stay organised: manage several proposals at once, meet operator deadlines and keep clear records.
You do not need every skill on day one, but you will have to develop them. Training helps; the real learning happens in practice, with mistakes, corrections and ongoing adjustments.
How to assess a proposal before you join
If you are considering joining an existing structure — such as the icligo model or a similar one — ask these questions before you go further:
- Are the conditions explained before any commitment? You should receive clear information about costs, obligations and expectations before you decide.
- Is income guaranteed? Be wary of promises of fixed earnings or “guaranteed extra income”. The activity depends on your effort, learning and ability to develop clients.
- Are training and support included? Confirm that there is initial training, materials and ongoing support while you develop the activity.
- Who holds the legal registration? If you work inside a structure, confirm that it holds the registration required in the country where it operates. In Portugal, for example, you can look up the RNAVT number in the National Tourism Register.
- How will invoicing work in your country? Clarify how you will issue invoices or receipts, which tax regime applies, and whether you need to register as self-employed. These details are explained when you get in touch through the information page.
Do not commit until these points are clear. If the answers are vague, treat that as a warning sign. Check official sources and, if needed, an accountant or lawyer in your country.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous experience in tourism?
It is not presented as a requirement. If you join a structure that includes training, you will learn tools, procedures and good practice from the start. You will still need time, consistency and availability to learn.
How much does it cost to open a travel agency?
Figures change and depend on registration fees, insurance, guarantee funds, legal and accounting support, and the country you are in. Check official pages for your jurisdiction and speak with a qualified accountant before you go further. For Portugal, start with Turismo de Portugal.
If I work inside a structure, how does tax work?
It depends on the model and on the country where you live. In many cases you work as a self-employed professional. Details for your country are clarified when you get in touch through the information page. Always check with a local accountant.
How do I know a structure has a valid legal registration?
Ask for the registration number and look it up in the official database of the country where the structure operates. In Portugal, for example, you can check the RNAVT in the National Tourism Register. Agency advertising should display the number clearly.