Open a Company in Portugal — 2026 Guide, Service & Pricing
Opening a company in Portugal takes 1 business day via the in-person "Empresa na Hora" service (€360 state fee) or 2-3 business days via the free Empresa Online portal. The most common structures are Lda (2-50 shareholders, €1 minimum capital) and Unipessoal Lda (single shareholder). Non-residents can incorporate remotely. HVR runs the full turnkey process — company + NIFs + bank account + accounting — for foreign founders from €2,500 one-off.
📅 Book a free 30-min consultation →
Step 1 — Choose the right legal structure
Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas (Unipessoal Lda) — single-shareholder LLC
- 1 shareholder (individual or entity, Portuguese or foreign)
- Minimum capital: €1 (recommended €5,000-10,000 for credibility)
- Liability limited to share capital
- Restriction: same individual can only own ONE Unipessoal Lda
- Setup: 1 day (Empresa na Hora) or 2-3 days (Empresa Online)
- Best for: solo expat founders, wholly-owned subsidiaries, holding companies
Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) — multi-shareholder LLC
- 2 to 50 shareholders
- Minimum capital: €1 per shareholder (recommended €5,000+)
- Liability limited to share capital
- Most common SME structure in Portugal
- Setup: 1 day (Empresa na Hora) or 2-3 days (Empresa Online)
- Best for: partnerships, co-founder ventures, family businesses
Sociedade Anónima (SA) — joint-stock company
- Minimum 5 shareholders (or 1 if capital exceeds €50,000)
- Minimum capital: €50,000 (30% paid-up at incorporation)
- Mandatory governance: Board of Directors + Fiscal Council/Statutory Auditor (ROC)
- Mandatory annual audit by ROC
- Setup: 5-10 business days (notarial deed required)
- Best for: companies raising external investment, public offerings, M&A vehicles
Step 2 — Get NIFs and prepare documentation
Every shareholder, manager, and the company itself need a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF):
- EU/EEA residents: can request the NIF directly at any Finanças office or online via Portal das Finanças, with valid ID
- Non-EU residents: must appoint a fiscal representative simultaneously with the NIF request. HVR coordinates this with specialised partners (HVR does not provide fiscal representation directly)
- Process time: usually same-day if requested in person; 1-2 weeks remotely
You'll also need:
- Identification document (ID card or passport) — apostilled if from outside the EU
- Proof of address (utility bill, recent)
- Company name reservation at RNPC (Registo Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas) or pre-approved name from Empresa na Hora list
- CAE classification (Portuguese Activity Code) — primary + optional secondary
- Articles of association (standard via Empresa na Hora; custom via notary)
Step 3 — Register the company
Option A: Empresa Online (free, 2-3 business days)
Submit electronically via empresaonline.pt with a digital authentication certificate (Cartão de Cidadão, Chave Móvel Digital, or RNTRC). No state fee. Standard articles of association from a list. Best for cost-sensitive cases or experienced users.
Option B: Empresa na Hora (€360, same day)
In-person at any Balcão de Empresa (over 200 locations). All shareholders or their attorneys must be present. Result is delivered the same day with all official documents (Permanent Certificate, NIPC, articles of association). Best for fast turnaround.
Option C: Notarial deed (€800+, 5-10 days)
Required for SA, complex articles of association, or non-standard structures (holdings with multiple share classes). Coordinated with notary and registry.
Step 4 — Open activity at the Tax Authority
Within 15 days of incorporation, file the Declaração de Início de Atividade at Portal das Finanças:
- Confirm definitive primary CAE (and any secondary CAEs)
- Choose VAT regime — standard (mandatory above €15,000 turnover), small enterprise exemption (below threshold), or special regimes
- Choose accounting method — Organised accounting (mandatory for all companies)
- Designate Certified Accountant (OCC)
HVR handles this electronically; takes 1 business day.
Step 5 — Social Security and bank account
Social Security (Segurança Social)
- Register the company as an employer (mandatory)
- Register manager(s) — under the Trabalhadores Independentes regime if not paid a fixed salary, or MOE (Membros de Órgãos Estatutários) if drawing a director salary
- If hiring employees: register each in advance of payroll cycle
Business bank account
Required to receive the share capital deposit and operate. Foreign founders typically use:
- Millennium BCP — most common; English-speaking branches in Lisbon
- ActivoBank — fully digital onboarding; faster for non-residents
- Bison Bank — investor-focused; private banking
Allow 1-2 weeks for non-resident account opening (compliance, KYC). HVR provides introductions to relationship managers we work with regularly.
Step 6 — Appoint Certified Accountant and configure software
- Mandatory: register a Certified Accountant (OCC) at Portal das Finanças within 15 days of activity opening
- Penalty for non-compliance: fines up to €15,000
- Configure certified invoicing software (Moloni, Sage, PHC, FacturaPlus, etc.)
- Set up SAF-T submission process (mandatory monthly file to AT)
- HVR handles all of the above as part of the turnkey package
HVR turnkey service packages — transparent pricing
Empresa Online (do-it-yourself)
State cost: €0 · HVR advisory included for clients starting accounting (€150-300/month). Best for residents who can navigate the Portuguese-language portal.
Empresa na Hora (in-person, fast)
State cost: €360 · HVR appointment coordination + standard articles + activity opening included for accounting clients.
HVR Foreigner Turnkey Package — from €2,500 + €150-300/month
For non-residents and foreign founders. Includes:
- NIF for all shareholders (EU and non-EU)
- Fiscal representative coordination (for non-EU shareholders)
- Company formation via Empresa Online or Empresa na Hora
- Activity opening at Tax Authority
- Social Security registration
- Bank account introduction (Millennium BCP / ActivoBank / Bison Bank)
- First 12 months of monthly accounting (€150-300/month)
- Year-1 IES + Modelo 22 corporate filing
SA / Holding Structure
From €800 state + notarial costs · HVR fees on quote (typically €1,500-3,000 depending on complexity).
Combined services that pair well
- IFICI Tax Advisor — if you're relocating to Portugal personally, combine company formation with IFICI registration for a 20% flat tax rate on qualifying income
- Accounting for Foreign-Owned Companies — full pillar guide on running a Portuguese company with foreign shareholders
- External CFO Service — for scaling companies needing strategic finance support
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a company in Portugal in 2026?
Lda or Unipessoal Lda: free via Empresa Online (2-3 days) or €360 via Empresa na Hora (same day). SA: from €800 (notarial deed). HVR turnkey for foreign founders: from €2,500 one-off + €150-300/month accounting.
How long does company formation take in Portugal?
Empresa na Hora: 1 business day. Empresa Online: 2-3 business days. Activity opening: +1 day. Bank account: +1-2 weeks. Total: 1-2 weeks for a fully operational company.
What is the difference between Lda, Unipessoal Lda, and SA?
Unipessoal Lda: single shareholder, €1 minimum, solo founders. Lda: 2-50 shareholders, €1 minimum, SMEs. SA: €50,000 minimum, 5+ shareholders, raises investment.
Can a foreigner open a company in Portugal without being resident?
Yes. Non-residents can incorporate. Required: Portuguese NIF, proof of identity, capital deposit. The whole process can be completed remotely with power of attorney.
Do I need a Portuguese address to register a company?
Yes — every Portuguese company needs a registered office address in Portugal. HVR offers a virtual office for clients, or you can use a coworking space or residential address you control.
What CAE code should I choose?
CAE defines your company's primary activity. Wrong CAE can block tax incentives (SIFIDE, RFAI, IFICI). HVR advises on correct primary CAE and registers secondary CAEs for multi-activity businesses.
Is a Certified Accountant mandatory for Portuguese companies?
Yes. Every Portuguese company must appoint a Certified Accountant (OCC) within 15 days of activity opening. Failing to do so triggers fines up to €15,000.
Does HVR handle the entire process for foreign founders?
Yes. The Foreigner Turnkey Package (from €2,500) covers NIFs, fiscal representative coordination, company formation, activity opening, Social Security, bank account introduction, and the first 12 months of accounting. Fully bilingual.
Why HVR for your Portuguese company
- Bilingual team — all communication, contracts and reports in English
- End-to-end ownership — one team, one fee, no hand-offs to lawyers/notaries unless required
- 200+ companies served since 2014, dozens with non-Portuguese owners
- Bank account introductions — relationships with Millennium BCP, ActivoBank, Bison Bank
- Continuity — the team that opens your company runs the accounting from day 1
📅 Book your free 30-min consultation →