Company Formation in Portugal

Your Gateway to Seamless Company Creation in Portugal

Embark on your business journey with confidence by choosing ESDECO. We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions for company creation in Portugal, ensuring a smooth and efficient process tailored to your unique needs.

Our Process: Making Company Creation Effortless

Initial Consultation: Understand your business goals and requirements in a personalized consultation.
Tailored Solutions: Crafting customized plans for company creation, addressing legal, financial, and administrative aspects.
Negotiation Support: Direct negotiation between you and our experts on mission details – nature, duration, and pricing.
Contract Signing: We formalize the process with a mission contract with the client and a concurrent employment contract under Portuguese law with the employee.
Billing and Salary: ESDECO handles invoicing the client for mission fees while ensuring timely payment of the corresponding salary to the employee.

Quality service you can trust

Expert Guidance: Benefit from our team’s extensive experience and knowledge in the intricacies of Portuguese business setup.

Transparent Processes: We believe in clear communication and transparency throughout the company creation journey.

Why ESDECO Incorporation procedure FAQs

Cost-Effective Solutions: Enjoy competitive pricing without compromising on the quality of service.
Timely Support: We are committed to providing prompt assistance at every stage, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Guarantee and Support

Quality Assurance: ESDECO stands behind the quality of its services, providing you with a solid foundation for your business in Portugal.
Ongoing Support: Our commitment doesn’t end with company creation; we offer continuous support for your business's success.

Contact Us Today

Ready to kickstart your business venture in Portugal? Contact ESDECO for expert guidance, seamless processes, and unwavering support in company creation.

Get in Touch | Learn More About Our Services

It is mandatory that the name of the newly formed company in Portugal is checked at the National Registry of Collective Entities (Registro Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas, RNPC). If the name is available, it can be reserved for a period of 48 hours if a fee is paid. Also, a pre-approved name can be elected from the RNPC database.

In order to obtain a certificate of registration, the founders of an entity must submit an application followed by the articles of association and the certificate of the name approval, but no later than 15 days from the incorporation. When receiving the above, the Portuguese authority will deliver the corporate tax number, the company’s social security number and the declaration of commencement of business activities. The entity’s employees must be registered at the Centros de Formalidades das Empresas or at the Business Registry Office 24 hours before they start their activity or 10 days at the latest after the declaration of starting the business.

The Labor Inspectorate must also be notified regarding its existence by providing the newly formed business name and tax number, a copy of the published announcement regarding the company incorporation, the company’s activities and the headquarter address. The registration for the employees’ accident compensation insurance is performed online at a private insurer and cannot cover the individual which doesn’t receive a salary.

If you are would like to know details about the incorporation pprocedure in a different country, our partners can give you details.

Steps for opening a company in Portugal

Public and private limited liability companies can be easily set up in Portugal, following these steps:

1. Verify the business name and make a reservation with the Portuguese Trade Register.

2. Appoint a legal representative for your company in Portugal.

3. Draft the Articles of Association with information about the owners, business activities, etc.

4. Open a bank account for depositing the minimum share capital of EUR 5,000.

5. Apply for licenses and permits in accordance with the company’s activities.

6. Register for tax purposes and social contributions in Portugal.

Company formation costs in Portugal

Here is information about the business start-up costs you need to consider in Portugal:

1. Registration fee: maximum EUR 360 for a pre-approved business name, company documents, certificate, etc.

2. Virtual office costs: around EUR 30 per month for a complete virtual office package.

3. Minimum share capital: EUR 1 per share, but we suggest at least EUR 5,000 for opening an LDA in Portugal.

4. Company formation fee: from EUR 500

5. Accounting costs: starting from EUR150 plus VAT per month for varied accounting services.

Shelf companies in Portugal

If you would like to skip the formalities of opening a company from scratch, the best option is to purchase a shelf company. Also known as a ready-made company, this is an already registered firm which is kept on a ”shelf” until it ages and until someone is interested in it. Having no financial activities and therefore no liabilities, a shelf company in Portugal can easily access loans from the local banks. It is good to know that a ready-made company in Portugal can activate on the market as soon as the ownership transfer is made. You can rely on our team for company formation procedures, including the ones for a shelf company in Portugal.

Virtual office services

Entrepreneurs from abroad who are interested in opening a company in Portugal should know that they can benefit from virtual office packages. Such services involve a prestigious business address in Lisbon or in any large city in Portugal, mail collection and forwarding in respect to the clients’ needs, a local phone number plus fax and voice message services on request. Extra usage of meeting rooms and bank statements collection can be provided at the time you are interested in virtual office services in Portugal. You may talk to our consultants for additional information in this matter

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can open companies in Portugal?

Local and foreign entrepreneurs over 18 years of age and with sufficient funds to comply with the minimum share capital for a company can start and register a business in Portugal. With support offered by our consultants, you can easily incorporate your company in Portugal.

What types of companies can I open in Portugal?

Private and public limited liability companies, limited and general partnerships, joint stock companies or sole proprietorships are the most important business structures that can be established in Portugal.

What is the favorite business form in Portugal?

The Portuguese LDA or the limited liability company is the most common business structure which is chosen by most of the investors from overseas looking to benefit from a well-known structure on an international scale.

How can I register an LDA in Portugal?

The incorporation of an LDA in Portugal starts at the Commercial Registry in Portugal and the local offices. If the Articles of Association, which comprise complete information about the owners and the future activities, are submitted to the Commercial Registry, then the incorporation process has started.

What is the minimum share capital for an LDA in Portugal?

Opening an LDA in Portugal requires a minimum share capital of EUR 5,000 deposited in a Portuguese bank account. If you need assistance in drafting the documents for your business in Portugal and for opening a bank account, please address your inquiries to our team of consultants.

Can I establish a subsidiary or a branch in Portugal?

Yes, foreign companies can easily open a branch or a subsidiary in Portugal, in respect to the applicable legislation. We mention that investors from abroad have the same business rights as the domestic entrepreneurs, as there is a permissive legislation related to foreign investments.

Can I receive accounting services for my company in Portugal?

Yes, foreign investors can ask for accounting services in Portugal and benefit from an experienced team in charge of payroll, bookkeeping, annual financial statements, tax management and many more.

Can I buy a shelf company in Portugal?

Yes, you can decide on purchasing a shelf company in Portugal which is a ready-made company that can be active on the market as soon as the ownership transfer is completed. A shelf company has no financial activities and therefore no liabilities.

Do I need special licenses and permits for my business?

Yes, for specific activities like gambling or financial services, the entrepreneurs need to apply for different licenses and permits. It is recommended to ask us about the requirements as we can provide complete support and information.

How fast can I open a company in Portugal?

Because the incorporation procedure is not time-consuming and the requirements are less bureaucratic, international investors can easily set up their companies and commence their activities.

Can I establish a branch in Portugal?

Yes, companies from abroad can rapidly establish a branch in Portugal which can run under the rules of a limited liability company or LDA as it is known. Opening a branch in Portugal comes with a series of requirements like submitting the parent company’s documents, the statements of profits and losses, balance sheets and any other papers requested by the Portuguese Trade Register. Branches in Portugal can benefit from the double taxation treaties signed with countries worldwide if proof that the taxes have been paid in the parent company’s country of residence is offered to the authorities.

Can I establish a subsidiary in Portugal?

Yes, foreign enterprises can set up subsidiaries in Portugal. Just like in the case of branches, these can be formed as limited liability companies with a minimum share capital of EUR 5,000 for a private entity or EUR 50,000 for a public LLC. The foundation deeds and the Articles of Association are the important documents of a subsidiary in Portugal. We remind that a subsidiary is an independent entity that has to register for tax purposes in Portugal. Our team can also handle such type of business registration.

Information found in the Commercial Registry of Portugal?

Since the Portuguese Trade Register also records information about companies, there are certain acts or documents that these corporations must also register aside from the articles of association. Our lawyers in Portugal have noted down the information you must provide:

when the law requires, the decision to purchase goods by the company must be registered;
appointments and dismissals of members of the board of directors;
merger or division plan;
issuance of stock warrants;
dismissals and exclusions of shareholders;
changes in the articles of association.

Once the company incorporation is made, the VAT registration is needed. One of our lawyers in Portugal can give full support in this matter and can also help you obtain the EORI number.

Company modifications need to be announced?

If your company suffers modifications like changing the company structure or replacing the board of managers, for example, you should notify the Portuguese Trade Register right away. The same institution is in charge of mergers and acquisitions, modifications of contractual clauses, share capital changes, company restructuring, company dissolution, and many more.

Can I make a name verification with the Portuguese Trade Register?

Yes, the first thing to consider when starting a business in Portugal is to make a name verification and see if you can legally register your future company. The Trade Register in Portugal handles the company name verifications by providing online access to those interested in this kind of service. We advise foreign investors to pay attention to the name verification for companies in Portugal and skip any possible infringements in terms of intellectual property and many more. Feel free to talk to our lawyers in Portugal about this aspect.