🇵🇹 Portugal · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Portugal offers fast setup via 'Empresa na Hora' and online services; the usual form is a Sociedade por Quotas (Lda). Founders need a Portuguese tax number (NIF), and the commercial registry records the company.
Companies in Portugal can be set up quickly through the 'Empresa na Hora' and online one-stop services; the Commercial Register records the company. A tax number (NIF) is required.
- 'Empresa na Hora' and online services allow same-day company setup.
- The Commercial Register (Registo Comercial) records the company and its filings.
- Founders need a Portuguese NIF; a foreign individual obtains an NIF first.
Step-by-step
- 1
Get a tax number (NIF)
Each shareholder needs a Portuguese NIF; non-residents appoint a tax representative to obtain one.
- 2
Choose the company type and name
The sociedade por quotas (Lda), or single-member Unipessoal Lda, is standard; pick a pre-approved name or request a name-approval certificate from the RNPC.
- 3
Incorporate via Empresa na Hora or online
Incorporate through Empresa na Hora (in-person, same day) or Empresa Online; you receive the company tax number (NIPC) and commercial registration.
- 4
Declare the start of activity
File the declaration of commencement of activity (início de atividade) with the tax authority (Autoridade Tributária).
- 5
Register with Social Security
Register the company and its directors with Social Security (Segurança Social).
- 6
Open a bank account and deposit capital
Open a business bank account and pay in the share capital, which may be deposited by the end of the first financial year.
Checklist
- Portuguese NIF for each shareholder (tax rep for non-residents)
- Company type chosen (Lda or Unipessoal Lda)
- Pre-approved name or RNPC name certificate
- Empresa na Hora / online incorporation → NIPC + registration
- Declaration of commencement of activity (AT)
- Social Security registration
- Business bank account + share capital
- Articles of association
Official authorities
- ePortugal
Government one-stop portal — company setup services.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I set up a company in Portugal?
'Empresa na Hora' can create a company in a single day once documents and an NIF are ready.
Do I need an NIF?
Yes — founders need a Portuguese tax number (NIF); non-residents obtain one, sometimes via a fiscal representative.
What is the minimum capital?
The minimum share capital for an Lda is nominal (a low amount per shareholder).
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- ePortugal — Citizen and business services incl. residence and foreign-resident matters
- Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças) — Portuguese income tax (IRS), VAT (IVA), and tax number (NIF)
- AICEP Portugal Global — Foreign investment and trade promotion