Company Registration in Portugal: Incluence Online Consultation & Service

Whether you're drawn by the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, planning to take advantage of the Madeira International Business Center (MIBC), or seeking a stable entry point into the EU market, Incluence provides expert end-to-end guidance for company registration in Portugal.

Portugal offers:

• Access to the European Union and Schengen Area
• Attractive personal and corporate tax benefits
• Political and economic stability
• Skilled, multilingual workforce
• Transparent procedures via the Portugal company registry
• Incluence is your gateway to seamless company formation in Portugal.

When setting up a company in Portugal, choosing the correct legal form is a key strategic decision. Each structure varies in terms of liability, capital requirements, taxation, and suitability for specific business models.

The most common legal types include:

• LDA (Sociedade por Quotas): This is the preferred structure for most small and medium businesses. An LDA offers limited liability to its shareholders, and the minimum share capital requirement starts from just €1 per shareholder (though €5,000 is recommended in practice). Ideal for entrepreneurs who want flexibility and control.
• SA (Sociedade Anónima): A public limited company suitable for larger enterprises and ventures requiring significant capital. The minimum share capital is €50,000, and shares can be publicly traded. SAs are more complex and require a board of directors and statutory auditors.
• Sole Proprietorship (Empresário em Nome Individual): This is a simple, low-cost option where the individual and the business are the same entity. It's ideal for freelancers or microbusinesses but offers no liability protection.

At Incluence, we help you assess the best structure for your goals, whether you're aiming for local trading, cross-border EU operations, or long-term tax planning via NHR or MIBC.

The process of company formation in Portugal is methodical, transparent, and increasingly digital. Here's how Incluence helps you register a company in Portugal, from name approval to tax registration:

Step 1: Choosing Your Company Name & Obtaining a Certificate of Admissibility

Your first step is verifying name availability through the RNPC (Registo Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas). Once approved, you'll receive a Certificate of Admissibility (Certificado de Admissibilidade), which reserves the company name for 6 months. This certificate is required by the Portugal company register and incurs a fee of around €75.

Step 2: Obtaining Portuguese Tax Identification Numbers (NIF/NIPC)

Every shareholder, director, and the company itself must obtain a Portuguese tax number:

• NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) for individuals
• NIPC (Número de Identificação de Pessoa Colectiva) for the company

Non-residents must appoint a legal representative for NIF applications. Incluence assists with obtaining NIFs remotely, ensuring legal compliance from the outset.

Step 3: Drafting the Articles of Association

The Articles of Association (Contrato de Sociedade) are essential for company incorporation in Portugal. They define:

• Company name and registered office
• Business purpose and activity codes (CAE)
• Share capital structure
• Management model and powers of directors
• Voting rights and profit distribution

This legal document must be precise and reflect your operational and ownership intentions. Incluence provides expert legal drafting, translation, and registration.

Step 4: Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Portugal

Before your company can be registered with the Portugal company registry, you must open a corporate bank account and deposit the initial share capital. Banks often require in-person visits, certified documents, and proof of local address. Incluence facilitates:

• Appointment booking and introductions
• Preparation of bank resolutions and signatures
• Documentation translations
• Assistance with share capital deposit confirmation

Opening a company in Portugal cost varies depending on the bank and required services, typically ranging from €150 to €400 in initial banking and notary fees.

Step 5: Registering with the Commercial Registry Office

Company incorporation in Portugal is formalized at the Commercial Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Comercial). This involves submitting your Articles of Association, Certificate of Admissibility, proof of capital deposit, and personal identification.

Registration may be done via the online government platform or through the "Empresa na Hora" fast-track system. Once approved, you'll receive the official Certificate of Commercial Registry, confirming your legal status.

Step 6: Registering with Tax & Social Security Authorities

After your company is recognized in the Portugal company registry, it must be registered with:

• Tax Authority for corporate income tax (IRC) and VAT registration (IVA)
• Social Security for employer contributions
• Local Municipality if a business license is required for certain activities

We ensure accurate filings and ongoing compliance, including:

• VAT thresholds and timelines
• Tax representation for non-residents
• Registration for staff and directors under the Portuguese social security system

When planning company formation in Portugal, it's essential to consider both initial and ongoing investment requirements. Our services are designed to be flexible and scalable, tailored to your business goals and structure.

Company registration in Portugal starts from €3,800, which includes core services such as legal setup, documentation, and guidance through the Portugal company registry process.

Opening a business bank account in Portugal for non-residents typically starts from €2,000, depending on the bank selected, type of activity, and compliance requirements. This includes preparation of required documents, coordination with bank officers, and support throughout the process.

Additional costs—such as accounting, registered address, tax representation, and licensing—are determined based on the specifics of your company:

• Legal form (LDA, SA, branch, etc.)
• Shareholder structure (individual or corporate)
• Business activity and regulatory requirements
• Location (mainland Portugal vs. Madeira)

Incluence provides fully transparent, customized quotes based on your individual case. Contact us to receive a detailed proposal aligned with your structure, sector, and business plan.*

Preparing the correct documentation is one of the most important aspects of successful company registration in Portugal. Incomplete or improperly authenticated documents are among the top reasons for delay during the registration and bank account opening process. Below is a complete list of the documents typically required for foreign founders and legal entities.

From Individual Shareholders and Directors:

• Valid passport (clear, full-page scan)
• Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF), which must be obtained in advance
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement issued within the last 90 days)
• Proof of professional status or employment (e.g., tax returns, salary statements, or contracts) — may be required by banks
• Portuguese mobile number and email address (often needed for online services and e-certification access)

From Corporate Shareholders (if applicable):

• Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company
• Memorandum & Articles of Association of the parent company
• Shareholder resolution authorizing the establishment of a subsidiary in Portugal
• Power of Attorney appointing a Portuguese legal representative

Company Formation Documents (to be prepared or reviewed by legal counsel):

• Articles of Association (Contrato de Sociedade) tailored to your business model
• Proof of share capital deposit (required for final registration step)
• Certificate of Admissibility for the company name from RNPC

Legalization and Authentication Requirements:

• All documents issued outside of Portugal must be notarized and apostilled in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention or legalized via a Portuguese consulate if the originating country is not a Hague member
• Certified translations into Portuguese may be required for key documents, especially for court registration and tax authority review

Incluence provides full support in preparing, reviewing, and translating documents, ensuring full compliance with the Portugal company registry and bank due diligence requirements.*

Post-Registration Obligations: Accounting & Compliance

Once your company is registered in Portugal, a series of statutory accounting and compliance obligations must be continuously met to remain in good legal and fiscal standing. These requirements are governed primarily by the Portuguese Commercial Code, the Corporate Income Tax Code (Código do IRC), and regulations from the Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira - AT).

1. Appointment of a Certified Accountant (Contabilista Certificado): Every Portuguese company is legally required to appoint a certified accountant (registered with the Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados) to ensure proper bookkeeping, financial reporting, and compliance with tax laws.

2. Corporate Tax Filings (IRC – Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Coletivas): Companies must file an annual corporate income tax return (Modelo 22) typically by May 31st of the following year, along with the IES (Informação Empresarial Simplificada), which consolidates financial and statistical data for tax, accounting, and business registry purposes.

3. VAT Declarations (IVA):

If the company is VAT-registered, it must submit periodic VAT returns:

• Monthly: if annual turnover exceeds €650,000
• Quarterly: if turnover is below this threshold

Submissions must be made electronically via the government's e-Fatura platform.

4. Social Security and Payroll Compliance: Companies employing staff must register with the Portuguese Social Security system and submit monthly payroll declarations (Declaração de Remunerações), along with timely payment of social contributions.

5. Annual Accounts and Filing with the Company Registry (Conservatória do Registo Comercial): Annual financial statements must be prepared in accordance with Portuguese GAAP (SNC – Sistema de Normalização Contabilística) or IFRS (if applicable) and filed with the Commercial Registry via the IES platform.

6. Statutory Recordkeeping: Businesses are obligated to retain all accounting records, tax documentation, and supporting financial data for a minimum of 10 years, either digitally or in hard copy, in case of audit or inspection.

Non-Compliance Consequences:

Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to:

• Administrative fines and penalties
• Legal enforcement actions by the Tax Authority
• Suspension or dissolution of the company from the official register

How Long Does Company Registration in Portugal Take?

Portugal offers a relatively streamlined company formation process, particularly through its "Empresa na Hora" system, which allows for swift incorporation. However, the overall timeline depends on several variables — notably the readiness of required documentation, the involvement of foreign shareholders or directors, and the efficiency of the banking process.

It is important to note that all timeframes below are counted from the moment the complete and compliant set of required documents is submitted. Additionally, weekends and public holidays are excluded from the estimated durations.

Estimated Timeline for Company Formation:

Tax Identification Number (NIF) for Foreign Individuals

1–3 working days

Required for all shareholders and directors. A fiscal representative may be needed for non-EU residents.

Certificate of Admissibility (Certificado de Admissibilidade)

1–2 working days

Confirms the uniqueness and availability of the proposed company name, issued by the National Registry of Legal Entities (RNPC).

Corporate Bank Account Opening

10–20 working days

Timeframe may vary depending on the bank, the nationality of the shareholders, and due diligence requirements. Some banks may require in-person identification or notarized/apostilled documents.

Capital Deposit & Bank Confirmation

1–4 working days

After the bank account is opened, the share capital must be deposited and a certificate of deposit obtained.

Drafting & Signing of Articles of Association + Notarization

1–2 working days

Can be expedited through standard templates or processed via Empresa na Hora, which includes a pre-approved model.

Commercial Registration (Company Incorporation)

1–2 working days

Registration with the Commercial Registry (Conservatória do Registo Comercial), after which the company obtains its legal status and registration number (NIPC).

Tax Authority (AT) and Social Security Registration

2–5 working days

Includes registration for Corporate Income Tax (IRC), VAT (if applicable), and employer registration with Social Security if hiring employees.

Total Estimated Duration: 10 to 25 working days

This range assumes prompt coordination and submission of documents, minimal delays in banking processes, and no complications in due diligence procedures. Delays may occur due to:

• Incomplete or incorrect documentation
• Extended compliance checks by banks (especially for non-residents or high-risk jurisdictions)
• Local or national public holidays
• Language or translation requirements for foreign documents

Incluence oversees the entire incorporation process — from securing NIFs and managing translations to coordinating bank account opening and liaising with authorities — to minimize delays and ensure full compliance at every stage.

We offer more than basic filing—we provide full-cycle strategic incorporation. With years of experience helping international entrepreneurs, Incluence specializes in:

• Personalized consultation with international business experts
• Tailored advice for tax structuring (NHR, Madeira IBC, Holding Companies)
• Full coordination with Portuguese authorities and banks
• Remote company formation in Portugal
• Full NIF/NIPC registration services
• Customized Articles of Association for tax and legal optimization
• Bank account opening support with local partners
• Ongoing accounting, compliance, and tax advisory
• Assistance with NHR, MIBC, and even Golden Visa Portugal pathways

From advising on the right structure to registering with the Portugal company registry and beyond, our team speaks your language—English, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian—and your business goals.

Setting up a company in Portugal is a gateway to EU markets, favorable taxation, and long-term investment. Whether you're opening a tech startup in Lisbon, an e-commerce hub in Porto, or a holding structure in Madeira, Incluence offers the guidance you need.

Register a company in Portugal with confidence. Partner with Incluence and make company formation in Portugal a streamlined, expert-driven process.