Assistance with Company Registration in Portugal
With Immigrant Invest’s support, foreigners can establish or expand their business in Portugal. The entire process is managed end to end, from initial consultation through to post-registration procedures
Who needs company formation services in Portugal
Business formation assistance is suitable for:
- entrepreneurs launching a new business in Portugal;
- foreign investors entering the Portuguese or EU market;
- companies expanding operations or opening a local branch;
- individuals structuring business activity for residency or investment purposes;
- business owners seeking a compliant setup for banking, taxation, and operations.
Immigrant Invest assists clients throughout the company registration process, including selecting the appropriate structure, preparing incorporation documents, submitting the application, coordinating with authorities, and completing post-registration formalities.
Professional support with business formation in Portugal helps ensure that the company is established in line with Portuguese legal, tax, and compliance requirements, reducing delays and avoiding common setup issues.
Request assistance from migration experts
After sending your request, our migration expert will contact you to confirm the details and outline the next steps.
Zlata Erlach, Head of the Austrian office
Types of companies you can register in Portugal
Portugal allows the incorporation of several common company forms. The main available structures include:
- Private Limited Companies or Lda.;
- Sole Quotaholder Private Limited Companies or Unipessoal Lda.;
- Public Limited Companies or S.A[1].
Private limited company
This is the standard form for many small and medium-sized businesses with two or more quotaholders. It is widely used due to its flexibility and limited liability.
There is no fixed minimum share capital requirement in practice, but each quota must have a minimum nominal value of €1. The total capital is defined by the founders and should reflect the company’s activity.
Sole quotaholder private limited company
This form is designed for a sole quotaholder and can be incorporated by either an individual or a legal person. It is commonly used by individual entrepreneurs who want limited liability protection.
As with Lda., there is no general minimum capital threshold, and the company can be established with a low nominal capital, starting from €1 per quota.
Public limited company
This structure is generally used for larger businesses, investment projects, or companies planning to scale or attract external investors. It requires a more formal governance structure, including a board and stricter reporting obligations.
The minimum share capital for an S.A. is €50,000, and shares must have a minimum nominal value of €0.01. At least 30% of the total share capital must be deposited within 5 days after the permanent certificate becomes available
Requirements for company registration in Portugal
To register a company in Portugal, founders must meet a set of legal and administrative requirements. The exact process depends on the company structure and the chosen incorporation route.
Key requirements
Key requirements for the company registration in Portugal typically include the following:
- obtaining tax identification numbers, NIF, or equivalent tax data for shareholders and directors;
- choosing and reserving a company name;
- defining the company structure, shareholders, and management;
- preparing the articles of association;
- registering a legal address in Portugal;
- determining share capital and contribution method;
- appointing a certified accountant and completing tax registration;
- disclosing ultimate beneficial owners;
- obtaining licences or permits, if required by the business activity.
Required documents
The exact document package depends on the company structure, the participants involved, and the incorporation route. In many cases, especially when using pre-approved articles of association, the process is completed by entering the required information in the system rather than submitting a full set of documents.
Where supporting documents are required, they may include:
- valid passport or ID card for shareholders and directors;
- certificate of incorporation and constitutional documents, if a legal entity is involved;
- power of attorney, if the process is handled through a representative;
- corporate resolutions authorising participation, where a shareholder is a legal entity;
- acceptance declarations from directors or managers, where required;
- declaration by a certified accountant, where applicable;
- beneficial owner declaration, where applicable.
Documents issued outside Portugal may need to be legalised or apostilled and, where required, translated into Portuguese. Documents in English, Spanish, or French are generally accepted without certified Portuguese translation.
Step-by-step company formation process in Portugal
The overall timeline for a business registration in Portugal depends on the chosen structure, incorporation method, and the completeness of the documents. In straightforward cases, the process from initial assessment to full operational setup typically takes around 2 months.
1—2 days
Initial assessment and structuring
Immigrant Invest analyses the client’s goals, business model, ownership structure, and preferred setup in Portugal. At this stage, the team defines the company structure, including shareholders, directors, share capital, and registered address, and identifies the most suitable incorporation route.
1+ days
Company’s name selection
A company name must be selected before incorporation. In Portugal, applicants can either choose a pre-approved name or register a custom one.
Pre-approved names are available through the official incorporation system[2].
If a custom name is preferred, there are two ways to proceed: it can be submitted for approval during the incorporation process, or it can be reserved in advance by obtaining a certificate of admissibility, which confirms that the chosen name is available.
Choosing a pre-approved name is typically the fastest option, while registering a custom name may extend the timeline.
1+ weeks
Document preparation
Lawyers provide a list of required documents and assist with preparing the incorporation package. This includes drafting or selecting the articles of association and ensuring that all information is consistent and compliant.
Up to 10 days
Company registration
Immigrant Invest submits the application and coordinates the registration with the Portuguese authorities. Where applicable, the process may be completed through the fast-track Empresa na Hora procedure or via the official online incorporation system.
15—30 days
Post-registration setup
After incorporation, Immigrant Invest assists the client with completing the required tax and compliance formalities.
This includes submitting the declaration of commencement of activity, which must generally be filed within 15 days after registration. Where organised accounting applies, a certified accountant must be appointed and involved in the process.
The company must also complete beneficial owner registration. The initial filing must be submitted within 30 days after incorporation, and any subsequent changes must be updated within the same timeframe.
Depending on the nature of the business, additional licences or permits may be required before operations can begin. Immigrant Invest coordinates these steps and helps ensure that all post-registration requirements are completed correctly and on time.
1—2 weeks
Bank account and operational setup
Immigrant Invest supports the client in opening a corporate bank account and completing capital contribution and operational formalities, in line with the company structure, business activity, and applicable requirements.
Why choose Immigrant Invest
Immigrant Invest is a licensed investment migration company with experience in cross-border client support and compliance-driven processes. We work strictly in accordance with Portuguese legislations, including the Aliens Act Law No. 23/2007 amended by Act 29/2012 and Act 56/2023.
The Investment Migration Council certificate confirms that we operate in line with recognised professional and ethical standards.
Your Immigrant Invest team
Our legal and compliance specialists ensure that the process of company formation in Portugal is handled smoothly and efficiently.
Our clients’ reviews
Names and photos of investors have been changed to comply with non-disclosure agreements.