While Europartner operates exclusively in Brazil, we work closely with trusted international partners to support our clients worldwide. One of these key partners is Sommet Global, based in Europe.
Sommet Global provides end-to-end support for companies looking to establish and manage business operations in Europe, offering services such as company incorporation, tax and accounting, payroll, and HR outsourcing. With a strong regional presence and an experienced team, Sommet ensures a smooth, compliant setup and ongoing administration across multiple European markets.
Learn more about Sommet: https://www.sommetglobal.com/about-us
How to Register a Company in Portugal: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business
Portugal’s strategic location as Europe’s western gateway, coupled with its €253 billion GDP and thriving tech ecosystem, makes it one of Europe’s most dynamic business destinations. For international entrepreneurs, establishing a Portuguese company unlocks access to 500+ million EU consumers while benefiting from streamlined digital processes, competitive tax incentives, and a highly skilled multilingual workforce. This definitive guide demystifies Portugal’s company registration process, equipping you with actionable insights to launch your venture efficiently.
Sommet Global Helps With Registration
Establishing your company in Portugal opens doors to Europe’s fastest-growing tech hub – where Atlantic innovation meets Mediterranean quality of life. From Lisbon’s Web Summit ecosystem to Porto’s AI research clusters, opportunities await entrepreneurs who strategically navigate this streamlined registration landscape. While the process demands precise compliance, the reward is a resilient EU foothold powered by 95% digital infrastructure and globally recognized talent.
Ready to launch your Portuguese venture? Sommet Global’s incorporation experts guide you from entity selection to operational launch, ensuring full compliance with Portuguese Commercial Code (Código das Sociedades Comerciais) and tax law.
Why Portugal? Key Business Advantages
- EU Market Access: Operate freely across all 27 EU member states under single-market regulations
- Tech-Friendly Infrastructure: 95% 4G/5G coverage, 15+ international submarine cables, and 99% business digitalization rate
- Startup Incentives: Benefit from reduced 17% corporate tax (vs. standard 21%), non-habitual resident (NHR) tax benefits, and EU’s lowest minimum wage for skilled talent
- Strategic Sectors: Leading positions in renewable energy (60%+ green electricity), tourism tech (€25 billion industry), and AI-driven industries
- Digital-First Registration: Online incorporation in under 72 hours through platforms like Empresa Online or 60-minute in-person setups via Empresa na Hora
Choosing Your Legal Entity. Compare the Options
Selecting the right business structure impacts liability, taxation, and administrative burden. Portugal offers these primary entities:
| Entity Type | Minimum Capital | Liability | Ideal For | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) | €1 (symbolic) | Limited | SMEs, startups | 21% corporate tax (17% for startups) |
| Sociedade Anónima (SA) | €50,000 (min. 30% deposit) | Limited | Large/public companies | 21% corporate tax |
| Sole Trader (Empresário em Nome Individual) | None | Unlimited | Freelancers/solo ventures | Progressive income tax (14.5%-48%) |
| Branch Office | None | Parent company liable | Foreign company expansions | Corporate tax + permanent establishment rules |
| Subsidiary (Lda/SA) | Same as Lda/SA | Limited | Foreign entities wanting independent operations | Standard corporate tax |
Table1: Business Entity Comparison in Portugal
Most Popular Choice: The Lda (Sociedade por Quotas) represents 80% of new Portuguese companies due to its €1 minimum capital requirement, limited liability, and operational flexibility under 2023 “Simplex+” reforms.
Special Cases:
- Tech Startups: Eligible for 17% corporate tax under Startup Portugal if R&D investments exceed 15% of expenses
- EU Companies: Branches simplify market entry but require full parent company financial disclosure
- Non-EU Entrepreneurs: Must obtain residency (D2 Entrepreneur Visa) before registration
Step-by-Step Registration Process: Online vs. In-Person Paths
STEP 1: Pre-Registration Essentials
- Obtain Portuguese Tax ID (NIF)
- Requirement: Mandatory for all founders/directors
- Process:
- EU citizens: Apply at Finanças offices with passport/ID
- Non-EU: Apply at consulates with business justification + criminal record check
- Cost: €15 (one-time)
- Pro Tip: Non-residents must appoint a Portuguese tax representative
- Reserve Your Company Name
- Submit 1-3 name options to Portugal’s Central Registry (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado – IRN)
- Receive Certificado de Admissibilidade (Name Admissibility Certificate) within 24 hours
- Reservation valid for 90 days
- Draft Articles of Association
- Must Include:
- Company name and Portuguese registered address
- Business activities (CAE codes)
- Share capital distribution
- Governance structure (e.g., single director vs. board)
- Critical Consideration: Specify share transfer restrictions to prevent unwanted third-party acquisitions
- Must Include:
Navigating Portugal’s administrative landscape requires precision – from NIF applications and CAE code alignment to shareholder agreement clauses. Sommet Global eliminates this burden by managing every step. Focus on your business vision while we transform bureaucratic complexity into a streamlined entry into the Portuguese market. Connect with our Lisbon-based team to activate your full administrative support package.
STEP 2: Legal Formation
- Deposit Share Capital
- Open a provisional business account at Portuguese banks (Millennium BCP, Santander)
- Obtain bank deposit certificate
- Notarize Incorporation Deed
- Online Path: Digitally sign via Empresa Online using Citizen Card/Digital Mobile Key
- In-Person Path: Sign at Empresa na Hora desks or notary offices
- Documents required:
- NIF copies
- Name reservation certificate
- Bank deposit proof
- Articles of Association
- Register with Commercial Registry
- Submit notarized deed to Registo Comercial
- Receive Certidão Permanente (Permanent Certificate) confirming legal existence
- Processing: 5-10 days online; 60 minutes via Empresa na Hora
Skip the complexity – our experts manage all legal formation tasks while you focus on your business. With Sommet Global, complete legal formation in 48 hours versus standard 2 weeks – including bank setup, notarization, and registry submission.
STEP 3: Post-Registration Compliance
- Activate Tax and Social Security
- Register for VAT (IVA) at Autoridade Tributária (Form 12)
- Affiliate directors/employees with Social Security (Segurança Social)
- Obtain company NIPC (corporate tax number)
- Submit Beneficial Ownership Declaration
- File with Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo within 30 days
- Penalty: €500/day delay for non-compliance
- Fulfill Share Capital Deposit
- Transfer capital to company bank account within 5 working days
- Alternative: Submit shareholder declaration confirming capital delivery by year-end
Digital Shortcut: Use Empresa Online 2.0 for fully online Lda/SA registration. Complete all steps in <72 hours with digital signatures
Sommet Global eliminates administrative burdens. We handle VAT (Form 12), NIPC issuance, and Segurança Social enrollment. Our legal team submits Beneficial Ownership Declarations within 30 days—avoiding €500/day penalties. We facilitate bank deposits or shareholder declarations within 5 days, ensuring compliance. We expedite processes via Empresa Online 2.0, achieving full registration in <72 hours.
Post-Registration Compliance: Operating Legally
- Tax Obligations:
- Monthly VAT returns (Modelo 30)
- Annual corporate tax declaration (Modelo 22)
- Transfer pricing documentation for cross-border transactions
- Accounting Requirements:
- Maintain electronic invoicing records
- Annual financial statements audited for companies exceeding €700K revenue
- Submit accounts to Commercial Registry by June 30 annually
- Employment Compliance:
- Register contracts with Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho (ACT)
- Pay social security (34.75% total: 23.75% employer + 11% employee)
- Mandatory occupational insurance
- Foreign Investment Reporting:
- Submit to Banco de Portugal Centralized Securities Registry within 20 days
Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect CAE Codes: Misclassifying business activities triggers 40% of tax audits
- Late Beneficial Ownership Filing: €15,000+ penalties for delays beyond 30 days
- Ignoring Digital Mandates: Failure to use certified invoicing software incurs €1,500-€3,500 fines
- Residency Gaps: Non-EU directors without valid visas face company dissolution
- Capital Deposit Delays: Missed 5-day deadline voids registration
Avoiding Portugal’s top registration pitfalls requires precision and local expertise. Sommet Global eliminates these risks by: using our proprietary sector database to prevent tax audits, filing beneficial ownership declarations within 24 hours of incorporation, deploying certified invoicing software (CertiWare®) pre-configured for Portuguese mandates, securing D2 visas through our accelerated 30-day residency pathway and monitoring capital deposits with real-time banking alerts to meet 5-day deadlines.
When to Seek Help
While Portugal’s business registry ranks #25 globally for efficiency, these scenarios merit professional support:
- Non-Resident Founders: Navigate visa complexities, tax representation, and document legalization
- Regulated Industries: Banking, healthcare, or energy sector licensing
- Shareholder Agreements: Multi-investor structures, capital-in-kind contributions
- Ongoing Compliance: VAT filings, payroll, and statutory reporting
Portugal’s Empresa na Hora service desks offer free assistance for standard registrations – locate them via gov.pt’s business portal.
Launch Your Portuguese Venture with Sommet Global
Registering a company in Portugal unlocks Southern Europe’s most dynamic economy—a €267 billion marketplace where innovation meets coastal living. From Lisbon’s tech campuses to Porto’s vineyards, your entrepreneurial journey begins with strategic navigation of Portugal’s digital-first bureaucracy. Sommet Global’s Portugal Desk delivers end-to-end support. Our Portugal Market Entry Package handles every compliance hurdle – ensuring your company activates faster, operates legally, and scales without penalties.
Sources
- Empresa Online Portal (gov.pt)
- Commercial Registry Guidelines (registo.justica.gov.pt)
- ePortugal Business Registration Guide
- Empresa na Hora Service (gov.pt)
- Parakar Portugal Incorporation Guide
- IRN Contact Information
