Portugal - Company Incorporation

Portugal Company Formation

There are no restrictions on the percentage of foreign ownership allowed in a Portuguese company - therefore, it is possible to incorporate a company which is totally owned by non-residents whether corporate or individual.

Clients with Portuguese property may look at an incorporation in Portugal to hold their interests, as it is increasingly disadvantageous to hold these through an offshore company.

A further point is that if the company is part of a plan to establish residency, then such a residency request will only be considered if a permanent presence in Portugal is established.

Company Incorporation Types

The principal types of company are

  • The Sociedade por Quotas (Lda)
  • The Sociedade Anonima (SA)

The statutes have to be signed a notary’s office and the company has to be registered with the commercial registry.

Incorporation Procedures

  • Application to reserve a name given to the “Registro Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas”. A branch of a foreign company must also go through the same procedure.
  • The minimum share capital (around €2000) has to be deposited by a bank.
  • The shareholders must sign the statues at a notary’s office.
  • The company must register within a period of 90 days of the signing of the statutes at the “Conservatoria do Registro Comercial” in the area of the registered office.
  • An application goes from the local registry to the national registry so that a tax card can be issued.
  • The statutes will be published in the official gazette (by the Commercial Registry) and in a local newspaper.
  • The books and minutes will be registered by the tax authorities and by the Commercial Registry.