Company Incorporation in Portugal

How it works

1. 1
   Intake — goals & structureAfter payment you're added to the client portal. We schedule a short intake call to understand your business, sector, shareholders, and tax situation, then recommend the right company structure.
2. 2
   Company name search & approvalWe search the National Registry of Legal Entities (IRN), select or submit your preferred name, and obtain the name approval certificate — valid for 3 months.
3. 3
   Document preparationWe draft or review the articles of association and prepare every document required for registration, tailored to your structure and shareholders.
4. 4
   Registration filedWe register via Empresa Online (fastest, remote) or Empresa na Hora if all parties can appear in person. Your company is legally incorporated in Portugal.
5. 5
   Post-registration complianceWe file the Declaration of Commencement of Activity (within 15 days) and register beneficial owners with the RCBE (within 30 days). Both are mandatory by law.
6. 6
   Handover & bank accountYou receive your company's registration credentials, NIPC (company tax number), and guidance on opening a business bank account in Portugal.

Choose your company structure

We advise on the right entity for your situation during the intake call. Here's a quick comparison of the three most common options:

What's included

• 🧭Structure consultation — We walk you through the Lda, Unipessoal, and SA options and recommend the best fit for your tax situation, number of partners, and business model.
• 📋Name approval (IRN) — We check availability and file the name approval with the National Registry of Legal Entities. Custom names add ~€75 in government fees.
• ⚡Full registration — Via Empresa Online (remote, 5–10 days) or Empresa na Hora (in-person, same day). Government registration fee is ~€360–435, paid separately.
• 📄Articles of association — We prepare standardized or customized articles depending on your structure and requirements.
• ✅Commencement & RCBE filing — Both legally mandatory post-incorporation filings are handled by us within their deadlines.
• 🏦Bank account guidance — We brief you on the best banks for non-residents, what documents to bring, and the due diligence process.
• 🔐Client portal — All documents, progress updates, and direct messaging through your Guyven portal throughout the process.

Why incorporate in Portugal?

Portugal consistently ranks in the world's top ten for ease of business registration. Here's what makes it stand out for foreign entrepreneurs:

• 🇪🇺EU single market access — A Portuguese company can trade freely across all 27 EU member states with no additional registration.
• 💶Competitive corporate tax — 21% on the mainland (14.7% in the Azores, lower still in certain Madeira free zones). One of the lowest in Western Europe.
• 🚀Startup incentives — Under Portugal's Startups Framework, qualifying companies benefit from reduced corporate tax rates in early years, stock option tax exemptions, and property acquisition waivers.
• 🌍No foreign ownership restrictions — 100% foreign ownership is permitted. There are no mandatory Portuguese shareholders, no profit repatriation limits, and no nationality-based restrictions on company formation.
• 🔒Stable, transparent legal system — Portugal's company law is EU-aligned, the judiciary is independent, and the fraud rate is among the lowest in the eurozone.

Frequently asked questions