Local operations · EU services · relocation
Portugal Company Formation (Lda / Unipessoal Lda)
Portugal suits founders who plan real activity or residence in the country. A Portuguese tax number (NIF) is needed for owners and managers, and a certified accountant is part of running the company.
Overview
Sociedade por quotas (Lda)
Private limited company with two or more partners.
Sociedade unipessoal por quotas (Unipessoal Lda)
Private limited company with one owner.
Sociedade anónima (SA)
Public limited company for larger structures.
Good fit for
- Founders relocating to or operating in Portugal
- EU service and technology businesses
- Operating companies alongside a residence plan
Limitations to plan for
- Portuguese tax number (NIF) for owners and managers
- A certified accountant (contabilista certificado)
- Annual accounts and the yearly IES return
Banking
Portuguese banks normally ask for the NIF, identification in person or by video and a clear description of the activity in Portugal.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Portugal formation
From €6,490
Usually part of formation
- Tax number (NIF) for each foreign founder
- Articles and registration in the commercial registry
- Beneficial-owner declaration
Optional, quoted separately
- Local address or registered office, to be confirmed in the offer
- Fiscal representative for non-resident founders, where required
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Bank-account application support (KYC and application, no guaranteed approval)
Every year
- Annual accounts and IES declaration
- Corporate tax and VAT returns
- Bookkeeping and accounting
Government fee, registered agent and office, annual return and any accounting or audit. These are separate from formation and quoted before the due date.
Steps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Review
Your activity, owners and goals are checked against this jurisdiction.
- 02
Proposal
Written scope with fees, exclusions and annual costs.
- 03
KYC and filing
Documents are collected and the provider files with the registry.
- 04
Handover
Company documents, then renewals and maintenance if you need them.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Portugal?
Sociedade por quotas (Lda): Private limited company with two or more partners. Sociedade unipessoal por quotas (Unipessoal Lda): Private limited company with one owner. Sociedade anónima (SA): Public limited company for larger structures.
Can a Portugal company open a bank account?
Portuguese banks normally ask for the NIF, identification in person or by video and a clear description of the activity in Portugal. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Portugal company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.