How much does it cost to open a company in Portugal?

Incorporation through Empresa na Hora costs €360, and Empresa Online also costs €360, reduced to €220 when a pre-approved set of articles is adopted. Choosing a custom company name adds the RNPC admissibility certificate (€75 standard, €150 urgent). Share capital, accounting and any sector licences come on top.

What is the minimum share capital?

In quota companies the capital is freely set by the shareholders, with a minimum of €1 per quota, so €2 for a two-shareholder company and €1 for a single-member one. A public limited company requires €50,000 and a cooperative €1,500. General partnerships have no legal minimum. Capital may be paid in cash or in kind, with in-kind contributions valued by a statutory auditor.

Can foreigners open a company in Portugal?

Yes, with no nationality restrictions. A Portuguese tax number (NIF) is required and non-EU resident shareholders must appoint a tax representative until they hold residency. To live in Portugal and run the business, the D2 entrepreneur visa or EU citizenship are the usual routes.

What is the difference between Empresa na Hora and Empresa Online?

Empresa na Hora is in person at an authorised desk and completes incorporation the same day, using pre-approved articles and names from an available pool. Empresa Online allows customised articles and your own company name, but requires a digital certificate or Chave Móvel Digital and takes a few business days.

What taxes does a company pay in Portugal?

Corporate income tax (IRC) applies to taxable profit at a general rate of 20%, with a reduced 16% rate on the first €50,000 of taxable income for SMEs and small mid caps. Add municipal surtax (up to 1.5%), state surtax on higher profits, VAT at 6%, 13% and 23%, and employer social security contributions of 23.75%.

Is a certified accountant mandatory?

Yes, whenever the business is subject to organised accounting, which covers every commercial company. Only sole traders under the simplified regime, with annual income up to €200,000, may go without a certified accountant, although keeping one is advisable.

Empreendedor gerenciando negócio em Portugal - Abertura de empresa

Entrepreneurship in Portugal

Company Formation in Portugal

Commercial and civil company incorporation with specialized assistance. From choosing the corporate type to starting operations, we handle the entire process.

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“Your company in Portugal with legal certainty.”

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Company formation and corporate support in Portugal.

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Overview

Why open a company in Portugal?

Portugal combines a streamlined incorporation process with full access to the European market. Empresa na Hora allows a company to be set up in a single appointment, while Empresa Online enables remote incorporation with customised articles of association. Choosing the legal form, which determines required capital, number of partners and the degree of personal liability, is the key decision at this stage.

Incorporation

Same day

Incorporation cost

From €220

Minimum capital (Lda.)

€1 per quota

Liability

Limited to capital

Complete Guide to Opening a Company in Portugal 2025

Check our detailed article with step-by-step, updated costs, required documents and tax obligations.

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Scope

Our Incorporation Services

Specialized in incorporating various types of commercial and civil companies in Portugal

Commercial Companies

Private Limited Company (Lda.)
Single-Member Limited Company
Public Limited Company (SA)
General and Limited Partnerships

Other Legal Forms

Sole Trader (ENI)
Professional Partnerships
Cooperatives
Associations and non-profit entities

Special Structures

SGPS - Holdings
SPV - Special Purpose Vehicles
Branches of foreign companies
Corporate amendments and conversions

Minimum 2 partners

Ideal for

Liberal professions and non-commercial activities

Type	Minimum Capital	Partners	Ideal for
Sole Trader (ENI) An individual carrying on business in their own name. There is no separation between personal and business assets, so the holder is personally and unlimitedly liable for business debts.	Not required	1 holder	Freelancers and very small businesses
Single-Member Private Limited Company A quota company with one sole shareholder holding the entire capital. Liability is limited to the subscribed share capital.	€1 (free amount, minimum €1)	1 sole shareholder	Solo entrepreneurs seeking asset protection
Private Limited Company (Lda.) The most common form in Portugal. Capital is divided into quotas and shareholders are generally liable only up to the subscribed capital.	Free, minimum €1 per quota	Minimum 2 shareholders	Small and medium businesses and startups
Public Limited Company (SA) Capital divided into shares, with mandatory corporate bodies and statutory supervision. Shareholders are liable only for the shares subscribed.	€50,000	Minimum 5 shareholders (or 1 if a company)	Larger companies and investment raising
General Partnership Partners are jointly and unlimitedly liable for company debts, on a subsidiary basis. Contributions of work (industry) are allowed.	Not required by law	Minimum 2 partners	Family businesses or professional firms with a high level of trust among partners
Limited Partnership Combines general partners, with unlimited liability and management powers, and limited partners who only contribute capital. May be simple or share-based.	Simple: not required \| Share-based: €50,000	General and limited partners (share-based: minimum 5 limited partners)	Structures with separate investors and managers
Cooperative A legal entity with open membership and variable capital, aiming to meet members' needs rather than distribute profit.	Variable (according to statutes)	Minimum 3 members	Associative, agricultural, cultural and service projects
SGPS - Holding Not a separate type: it takes the form of a quota or public limited company, with the exclusive purpose of managing shareholdings in other companies.	Depends on the form adopted (Lda. or SA)	Depends on the form adopted	Corporate groups and shareholding structures
Civil Society A legal form for non-commercial activities or liberal professions. Partners are jointly and unlimitedly liable for the company's obligations unless the articles provide otherwise.	Variable (according to statutes)	Minimum 2 partners	Liberal professions and non-commercial activities

Methodology

Incorporation Process Steps

We accompany you at each stage of creating your company

Analysis and Planning

We evaluate your business project, define the ideal corporate type and structure the articles of association according to your objectives.

Company Name and Admissibility Certificate

We select the company name and, for a custom name, request the admissibility certificate from the RNPC. With Empresa na Hora you may pick a name from the pre-approved pool, which waives this step.

Company Incorporation

We carry out incorporation through Empresa na Hora or Empresa Online, depending on your case complexity.

Commercial Registry and NIPC

Incorporation triggers immediate commercial registration and the allocation of the NIPC, which serves as both the tax number and the legal entity identifier.

Business Start and Ongoing Obligations

We file the start-of-activity declaration with the tax authority within the legal deadline, handle VAT registration, register the directors with Social Security and complete the Beneficial Owner Central Register.

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