Start a company in Portugal: from the plan to your first invoice
You bring the idea and the drive to build something. We choose the right company type with you, set it up and get everything ready with Finanças, the Portuguese Tax Authority. No shortcuts.
The company is yours. Leave the red tape to us.
Business owners moving to Portugal
You already have a business in another country and want to set up operations in Portugal alongside your family's move. We organise both fronts.
First-time founders
Restaurant, salon, construction, consultancy, online shop. You need to know which structure makes sense before you sign anything.
Self-employed and growing
Recibos verdes no longer fit your turnover. It may be time to move to a company, and we run the numbers with you.
Partners in different countries
Two or more partners, some still abroad. The company can be set up with powers of attorney, each person in their own time.
Setting it up takes a day. Structuring it well lasts for good.
Choosing the right structure
We compare sole trader, single-member company and Lda by looking at your turnover, your risk and your plans.
Company formation
We prepare the articles of association, reserve the name and incorporate the company, including cases with more partners or more complex structures.
Tax registration
We register the start of activity with Finanças under the right codes and define the VAT (IVA) and tax regime that applies to your company.
Beneficial owner registration
We file the RCBE declaration, which is mandatory for companies once they're incorporated.
Licences and trademark
When the activity requires it, we handle Licenciamento Zero and short-term rental (Alojamento Local) registration. We also file your trademark application.
Accounting from day one
Your company starts with proper accounts, kept by a certified accountant. You're not on your own after the setup.
How we set up your company
- 01
Feasibility consultation
We understand your business and your residence plans. The initial consultation costs 80 € and is deducted if you go ahead with the service.
- 02
Partners' NIFs and documents
Every partner needs a NIF. If someone doesn't have one yet, we get it. Then we gather documents and powers of attorney.
- 03
Incorporation and registration
We incorporate the company, register the beneficial owner and deliver the company's permanent certificate.
- 04
Tax setup and first steps
We register with Finanças and Social Security and get the accounts ready for your first invoice.
Having a company isn't the same as having residence
Opening a company in Portugal doesn't, on its own, give you the right to live here. There's a specific route for entrepreneurs, with a visa and a residence permit. We look at both processes together, so one doesn't get in the way of the other. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland don't need a visa to live and work here.
Company address in Faro
Need a registered address for your company? That's handled by D'Faro, SEVEN's partner in central Faro.
What people ask before they start.
Can a foreigner open a company in Portugal?
Yes. You don't need to be Portuguese or have a Portuguese partner. Every partner needs a NIF, and people living outside the European Union may need a fiscal representative. We organise that before incorporation.
What's the difference between an Lda, a single-member company and a sole trader?
As a sole trader, you work under your own NIF and are liable with your personal assets. With an Lda or a single-member company, the company has its own assets, separate from yours. A single-member company has one shareholder, and an Lda has two or more.
What's the minimum share capital for an Lda in Portugal?
The law allows low share capital, from 1 euro per share. In practice, the amount should make sense for the business, because banks and suppliers look at it. We help you set a sensible amount.
How long does it take to open a company in Portugal?
With documents and NIFs ready, incorporation can be done quickly, including through the Empresa na Hora (company on the spot) service. What usually takes time is the preparation: partners' NIFs, powers of attorney and choosing the name. We give you an estimate for your case.
Does opening a company in Portugal give me a visa or residence?
Not automatically. There's a visa for entrepreneurs, with its own rules on business plans and means of support. We assess whether that route suits you and handle both processes.
Can I open a company in Portugal while living abroad?
Yes, with a power of attorney for whoever will represent you. You sign where you live, with certification or an apostille depending on the document. We tell you exactly what's needed.
Does a company in Portugal need an accountant?
Yes. Every company must keep full accounts, prepared by a certified accountant. That's why we plan the accounting together with the setup.
What is the RCBE and who needs to file it?
The RCBE is the Central Register of Beneficial Owners, where you state who really controls the company. Companies must file this declaration after incorporation and keep it up to date. We do it for you.
How do I register my company's trademark in Portugal?
Trademark registration is a separate application from the company name. Before applying, it's worth checking whether a similar mark already exists. We do the search, file the application and follow it until the decision.
We're with you the whole way.
Accounting
Accounting for companies and the self-employed, with a certified accountant and plain-language explanations.
Learn moreVisas for Portugal
Still at home? We help you choose the right visa for your profile and put together an application without mistakes.
Learn moreNIF in Portugal
Get your NIF, the Portuguese tax number, here or from abroad, with people who know the way at Finanças.
Learn moreImmigration lawyer
A refusal, a prior hearing notice or an AIMA delay: our in-house lawyer reviews it and shows you the way.
Learn moreThere's always a way.
Building a business abroad has a way. There's always a way.
From your arrival to your own business, SEVEN is with you at every stage. Book the initial consultation and leave with a clear plan to open your company the right way.