How to Open a Company in Portugal

The process of opening a company in Portugal has become increasingly simple.

Find out how it works.

Types of companies in Portugal

In Portugal, there are several types of business structure:

• Sole trader (Empresário em Nome Individual)
• Private limited company (Sociedade por Quotas) or public limited company (Sociedade Anónima)
• Limited partnership (Sociedade em Comandita), sole proprietorship with limited liability (EIRL) or general partnership (Sociedade em Nome Coletivo)
• Cooperative or association

Below, we set out the procedures for opening each type of business.

Setting up as a sole trader

To start trading as a sole trader, the process is quite simple and involves only two steps:

1. Submit the declaration of commencement of activity on the Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças) or at a Citizen’s Shop (Loja do Cidadão).
2. Register with Social Security.

Opening a private limited company or public limited company

Private limited companies (single-member or not) and public limited companies can be set up online through the Empresa Online or ePortugal websites, in the Business Area.

To open the company online, you need a digital signature or Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital) associated with your citizen card or passport. If you choose to use an intermediary (lawyer, notary or solicitor), they must hold a digital certificate issued by their professional body.

After logging in to the platform, follow these steps:

1. Complete the company formation form, including the legal nature, type of company, shareholders and managers, economic activity (CAE), corporate purpose, share capital, registered office, contacts and company name.
2. Sign the articles of association, generated automatically from the information provided, and the declaration of acceptance of office (everyone involved will be notified by email to sign).
3. Select the payment method (card, Multibanco reference or MB WAY) and pay within 48 hours.

Once the process is complete, you will have access to:

• The company’s articles of association
• The access code to the permanent commercial certificate
• The access code to the Company / Legal Person Card
• The Social Security number

After registering the company, you have 30 days to file the beneficial ownership declaration (RCBE).

Opening a limited partnership, EIRL or general partnership

To open a limited partnership, a sole proprietorship with limited liability or a general partnership, you must go in person to the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN) with the following documents:

• Approved certificate of admissibility of the company name
• Written articles of association
• Statutory auditor’s report (if there are contributions in kind)
• Proof of special authorisations (if applicable)
• Registration by transcription form

Setting up cooperatives and associations

Both individuals and legal entities can set up cooperatives or associations.

Cooperatives can be set up by public deed at places such as the Commercial Registry in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra or Évora. You need your citizen card (or other valid identity document and tax number – NIF). If a legal entity is involved, that entity’s documents will also be required, including the minutes of the resolution to set up the cooperative.

Associations can be created at the Associação na Hora (Association on the Spot) counters, with documentation similar to that required to register a cooperative. Once you have gathered the documents, go to a counter, state the name of the association and choose a model of articles of association to proceed with registration.

Contact us to find out more.