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Corporate law · Company incorporation

Company incorporation & business registration in Portugal.

We advise on the legal form, prepare the incorporation documents and coordinate the commercial and tax registrations required to establish a business in Portugal. Banking, accounting and regulated activities remain subject to the criteria of the relevant institutions and professionals.

Overview

Company incorporation services.

Starting a business in Portugal involves navigating legal requirements, tax registration, and regulatory compliance. Our team manages the entire incorporation process, allowing you to focus on your business.

i

Choosing the legal form

Selection and incorporation of the structure appropriate to the project — sole trader, single-member private limited company, private limited company or public limited company — according to ownership, liability, investment and governance requirements.

ii

Commercial and tax registration

Preparation of the articles of association and coordination of the commercial, tax and beneficial-ownership registrations required for the chosen structure.

iii

Post-incorporation coordination

Coordination with the certified accountant, bank and other professionals required for the company to begin operating. We do not guarantee bank-account opening or third-party approvals.

Services

What our incorporation service covers.

i

Legal structure

Advice on the appropriate form: sole trader, single-member private limited company, private limited company, public limited company or another legally available structure. A sole trader operates in their own name and is not a separate legal person; a single-member private limited company has separate legal personality and limited liability within the applicable legal framework.

ii

Registration process

Coordination of the filings with the commercial registry, the tax authority and other public bodies required for the chosen structure.

iii

Articles of association

Drafting and filing of the articles of association defining your company’s governance and operations.

iv

Tax registration

Registration of the company with the Portuguese tax authority and obtaining the NIF (tax identification number).

v

Banking and accounting coordination

We coordinate the legal documentation required by the bank and the certified accountant. Account opening remains subject to the bank’s KYC, source-of-funds and risk criteria, and accounting obligations remain within the accountant’s professional remit.

vi

Compliance framework

Guidance on the recurring filing and reporting obligations applicable to the chosen structure, in coordination with the certified accountant.

vii

Beneficial owner (RCBE)

The initial beneficial-owner declaration is filed at the same time as the company’s incorporation is registered. Subsequent changes must be reported within 30 days of the relevant event. The information must also be confirmed annually by 31 December, unless it has already been updated during that year.

Formation

Company formation process.

  • iBusiness structure selection — choose between operating as a sole trader, a single-member private limited company, a private limited company or a public limited company, taking account of the number of owners, liability and the intended governance model.
  • iiName registration — verify availability and register your chosen company name with the Portuguese authorities.
  • iiiArticles preparation — draft the articles of association reflecting your ownership structure and governance.
  • ivOfficial registration — file the documents with the commercial registry (Conservatória) and the tax authorities.
  • vBanking and operations — coordination with the bank and the certified accountant; account opening remains subject to the bank’s own criteria.

How we help

Incorporation process timeline.

  1. Initial consultation. Discuss your business concept, structure needs and operational requirements.
  2. Structure recommendation. Advice on the appropriate business structure based on your situation and long-term plans.
  3. Documentation preparation. Preparation of the articles of association and the required formation documents.
  4. Registration and filing. Submission of the documents to the commercial registry, the tax authority and the relevant bodies.
  5. Post-registration coordination. Coordination with the bank and the certified accountant for accounts and operating procedures, subject to their own criteria.

Related services

Common questions

Company incorporation FAQs.

A sole trader operates in their own name and is generally personally liable for the business obligations. A single-member private limited company has one shareholder, separate legal personality and limited liability under the law. An Lda. may have several shareholders and is the form most commonly used by small and medium-sized businesses. An SA has more demanding capital and governance requirements and is generally suited to larger projects or a wider investor base.
In a private limited company, the minimum nominal value is €1.00 per quota and therefore per shareholder. That does not mean that symbolic capital is commercially or operationally appropriate. Banks, landlords, suppliers, investors and immigration authorities may assess the company’s actual financial capacity. Capital should be consistent with the business plan and the initial needs of the activity.
Typically 2-4 weeks for complete process, depending on document preparation and government processing times.
Annual financial statements, tax returns, and company filings with authorities. We provide ongoing compliance support.
Portuguese law does not impose a general nationality-based restriction on incorporating or holding shares in a Portuguese company. Regulated activities, identification and source-of-funds checks, banking requirements, tax obligations and immigration rules may nevertheless apply.
Companies must maintain proper accounting records and file annual financial statements. We can recommend accounting professionals.
The RCBE identifies the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. The initial declaration is filed with the incorporation registration. Changes must be reported within 30 days of the relevant event, and the information is confirmed annually by 31 December unless it has been updated during the same year.

Last legal review: 19 July 2026. This information is general and does not replace individual legal advice. It does not constitute a guarantee of any outcome. The applicable framework depends on the law in force and the specific circumstances of each case.

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