Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos

Name

Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos

Legal name

Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos

Website

https://celiacos.org.pt

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos (APC) is a Portuguese non-profit association (IPSS) founded in 1992 that supports approximately 15,000 diagnosed celiacs in Portugal through membership services, specialist consultations (nutrition, psychology, general practice), gluten-free establishment certification, and the ELS Crossed Grain Trademark licensing program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Advocacy and Chronic Disease Support Services

akta.pro primary industry

Nutrition & Malabsorption (Celiac/Short Bowel) (HLAKAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gluten-Free & Allergen-Free Certification Services (AFALAMAH)

Keywords

• Celiac disease support
• Gluten-free certification
• Patient advocacy services
• Nutrition consultations
• Non-profit association

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisboa

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership quotas: Annual membership fees from celiacs, family members, and 'Amigo APC' supporters. 10€ joining fee (one-time), 25€ annual quota for members, 5€ annual per additional family member. 'Amigo APC' pays 10€ annual.
2. Consultation services: Paid consultations in nutrition, psychology, and general medicine offered to members, friends, and non-members at differentiated rates.
3. Donations: Voluntary donations from the public to support APC's mission. Donations are tax-deductible under Portuguese fiscal law (Lei 64/2015).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos is a non-profit IPSS that supports individuals with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis through membership services, professional consultations (nutrition, psychology, general practice), and information dissemination. It also operates a European Licensing System (ELS) gluten-free certification for food manufacturers and a curated network of certified gluten-free restaurants, hotels, bakeries, pastry shops, and coffee shops across Portugal.

Product overview

Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos (APC) is a non-profit charitable association (IPSS) that provides a comprehensive ecosystem of services for celiac disease patients in Portugal. The core offering centers on membership that bundles dietary consultations (nutrition, psychology, general practice medicine) with access to a recipe database, the Sem Glúten magazine, and a network of certified establishments. APC also operates product and establishment certification programs under the European Licensing System (ELS), licensing gluten-free food products and certifying restaurants and hotels that meet strict gluten-free safety standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Revista Sem Glúten: Digital magazine publication by APC focused on gluten-free living, recipes, and celiac disease information.

Products and services

• APC Membership (Sócio)

Quantifiable outcome

• A celiac who follows a strict gluten-free diet (DIG) has the same life expectancy as a fully healthy person, while a celiac who does not follow the diet faces significantly increased risk of serious health conditions, including oncological diseases.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alva BakerycoreOthers · 3 March 2026Alva Bakery opened in Ericeira on 3 March 2026 after intensive team training. A 100% gluten-free pastry shop and bakery certified by APC, serving fresh daily products for celiacs and gluten-free consumers.
• A Saborear Sem GlútencoreOthers · 1 January 2025A Saborear Sem Glúten opened in 2025 in Fernão Ferro (Seixal). A 100% gluten-free artisanal bakery, patisserie, tea house and coffee shop certified by APC. Offers diverse breads (beetroot, chestnut, quinoa, buckwheat), pizzas, Berliner balls, waffles, brownies and daily pastry. Operates HACCP food safety system.
• PanidorcoreOthers · 1 January 2020Panidor is licensed by APC under the European Licensing System (ELS). Products include: Baguette Artesana (65g), Muffin chocolate (80g), Muffin lemon & poppy seeds (80g), Muffin plain (80g), and Bolo de Arroz (70g). Available via panidor.shop and physical factory stores. Launched in early 2020.
• SchärminorOthersSchär is a leading gluten-free food brand. APC features Schär products on its website via a display banner, indicating a non-food partnership for product visibility and member discounts.
• TelepizzaminorOthersTelepizza offers gluten-free pizza options and is listed as a partner on APC's website, providing dining options for celiac members.
• McDonald's PortugalminorOthersMcDonald's offers gluten-free sandwich options in Portugal, listed as a partner providing dining options for celiac members.
• Burger King PortugalminorOthersBurger King offers a gluten-free menu range in Portugal, listed as a partner providing dining options for celiac members.
• Pans&Company PortugalminorOthersPans&Company offers gluten-free sandwich options in Portugal, listed as a partner providing dining options for celiac members.
• Sovex / NoglutminorOthersSovex (Noglut brand) is a Portuguese gluten-free food producer listed as a partner, offering products at discount to APC members.
• El Corte Inglés PortugalminorOthersEl Corte Inglés supermarket stocks a wide range of gluten-free products and offers discounts to APC members. Featured as a partner on APC's website.
• Pingo DoceminorOthersPingo Doce supermarket offers gluten-free products and is listed as a partner with member discounts on APC's website.
• Mar IbéricaminorOthersMar Ibérica is a Portuguese food company producing gluten-free seafood products, listed as a partner on APC's website.
• Ponte VerticalminorOthersPonte Vertical is a partner listed on APC's website, offering products/services to APC members.
• H2otel Congress & Medical SPAcoreOthersH2otel in Covilhã is one of the first two hotels certified by APC for gluten-free accommodation and dining. It uses a dietary checklist and nutritional planning by APC's nutritionist to guarantee celiac-safe stays. Certification jointly issued by APC and BIOTRAB.
• Puralã – Wool Valley Hotel & SPAcoreOthersPuralã in Covilhã is the second hotel certified by APC for gluten-free accommodation and dining, extending the same protocols as H2otel. Certification jointly issued by APC and BIOTRAB.
• Com CuorecoreOthersCom Cuore is a gluten-free tea room in Porto, certified under APC's Gluten Free Project. Offers bakery and cafeteria products suitable for celiacs, with own production and products from other APC-certified Portuguese companies.
• IswariminorOthersIswari is a Portuguese superfood brand with 51+ products certified gluten-free by APC. Available at Celeiro, Go Natural, El Corte Inglés, Miosotis, Ervanária Portuense, and its own online store.
• Quinta dos AçorescoreOthersQuinta dos Açores is licensed by APC under the European Licensing System (ELS) for Crossed Grain Trademark. Certified gluten-free products include: fresh/frozen beef hamburger (80g, 115g, 150g, 200g), beef skewer, and rolled flank with vegetables and bacon. Products sold at Continente Modelo (Angra do Heroísmo, Praia da Vitória), Mercado Quinta dos Açores, and supermarkets in Terceira island.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutsche Zöliakie Gesellschaft (DZG): DZG is Germany's national celiac society, providing membership services, dietary consultations, and product/establishment certifications. Comparable in the breadth of services bundled around a celiac patient membership model.
• Coeliac UK: Coeliac UK is the United Kingdom's national charity for people with coeliac disease, providing membership services, food certification (Crossed Grain symbol), helpline advice, publications, and advocacy. It is the closest functional analogue to APC, operating the same ELS/Crossed Grain framework in a larger market.
• Coeliac Australia: Coeliac Australia is Australia's national celiac support organization, providing member services, the Certified Coeliac Safe program for food and venues, accreditation for healthcare professionals, and advocacy. Directly comparable in mission and certification breadth.
• AFDIAG (Association Française des Intolérants au Gluten): AFDIAG is France's national celiac patient association, running membership programs, gluten-free restaurant/hotel certifications, and product labeling. Comparable to APC in scope, services, and the patient-association + certification hybrid model.
• AIC - Associazione Italiana Celiachia: AIC is Italy's national celiac association, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health, and operates the official Italian gluten-free product certification (Spiga Barrata). Highly comparable to APC as a government-recognized IPSS-style association running an ELS-aligned program.
• Celiac Disease Foundation: The Celiac Disease Foundation is a leading US nonprofit driving celiac disease research, awareness, and patient support, operating patient advocacy, education campaigns, and the iCureCeliac® registry. Comparable as a national-scale patient-association peer, though with a heavier research focus.
• FACE - Federación de Asociaciones de Celíacos de España: FACE is the Spanish federation of celiac associations, coordinating regional groups, running the "Espiga Barrada" licensing program, and engaging in policy advocacy. Directly comparable to APC in mission, certification role, and Iberian market context.
• Beyond Celiac: Beyond Celiac is a US nonprofit focused on accelerating research toward treatments and a cure for celiac disease, while providing patient education and community programs. Comparable to APC in patient-membership support, though oriented more heavily toward research funding.

Broad incumbents

• AOECS - Association of European Coeliac Societies: AOECS is the European umbrella federation of national celiac societies, including APC. Its member organizations collectively operate the ELS/Crossed Grain licensing program. Relevant as the broader federation in which APC participates and whose standards APC implements at the national level.

Others

• Dr. Schär (Schär): Dr. Schär is Europe's leading gluten-free food manufacturer and one of APC's most prominent brand partners, featured on APC's website as a banner sponsor. Included as an ecosystem participant and category-defining gluten-free brand that APC's certification and awareness work directly enables.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3fQgmwdEouzQvERICnYdLA
• Facebookfacebook.com/APCeliacos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apceliacos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associação Portuguesa de Celíacos