Business Incorporation | Visas.pt

Business Incorporation

Set up your Portuguese Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) — the equivalent of a UK Ltd or US LLC — with full legal support. Remote, 10–20 business days, lawyer-backed.

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Reviewed by: André Cunha (Senior Client & Sales Advisor) : September 2026
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Company Type
Lda (Quotas)
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Timeline
10–20 business days
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Method
Fully Remote
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Service fee
€1,495
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FAQ

Questions about our Business Incorporation

Business Incorporation is the process of registering a Portuguese company, including the company structure, articles of association, Commercial Registry registration and relevant tax and social-security registration. The current Visas.pt service is €1,495 and typically takes 10–20 business days.

The current Business Incorporation service fee is €1,495. The page states that NIF and bank-account setup are included.

The current service gives an overall timeline of 10–20 business days. The Commercial Registry submission itself is stated to typically take 1–5 business days once submitted.

Yes. The current Business Incorporation service is presented as fully remote, allowing the process to be handled while you are outside Portugal.

The current page focuses on the Lda, or Sociedade por Quotas, as the standard structure used by many entrepreneurs and businesses. Other structures may be appropriate depending on the activity and circumstances.

An Lda (Sociedade por Quotas) is a Portuguese limited-liability company structure with defined shareholder interests. It is commonly used for operating businesses in Portugal.

It depends on the activity, turnover, liability considerations and business plans. A trabalhador independente or ENI structure can be simpler for some solo freelancers, while an Lda may be more suitable where a separate company and limited-liability structure are desired.

The company and visa processes are separate. The current page explains that an Lda can be relevant to D2 Entrepreneur Visa applicants, but incorporation itself does not grant a visa or guarantee approval.

The current service identifies NIF numbers for directors and shareholders, certified passport or ID documents, proposed company name, business activity description, share-capital amount and a Portuguese registered-office address.

The current Business Incorporation page states that every director and shareholder must have a valid Portuguese NIF before the company can be registered.

Yes. The current service is designed for founders who may be outside Portugal and can be handled remotely, subject to the applicable identification, tax and incorporation requirements.

No. The current service is presented as fully remote. You still need to provide the required identification, NIF and company information and complete any required signatures or formalities.

You provide proposed company names and the service checks availability with the RNPC / National Registry Centre before registration.

The RNPC is the National Registry of Collective Persons. The current incorporation process uses the RNPC when checking company-name availability.

A CAE is the classification used to identify a company’s business activity. The current service identifies the appropriate CAE based on the company’s planned activities.

You provide a clear description of what the company will do and the incorporation service maps the activity to the appropriate CAE classification.

The current Business Incorporation page states that the technical minimum share capital is €1. The appropriate amount may be considered in relation to the business and, for D2 applicants, the overall application strategy.

There is no single amount stated by the current page as appropriate for every D2 applicant. It says the appropriate amount should be advised on during consultation in light of the D2 application.

Yes. The current page states that the Lda structure allows multiple shareholders with defined ownership percentages.

Yes. An Lda can accommodate multiple shareholders and define each shareholder’s ownership interest.

Yes. The current requirements include a Portuguese address for the company’s registered office. The page also states that registered-address services can be advised on if needed.

Yes. The current service description states that NIF setup is included, while the detailed requirements state that directors and shareholders need valid NIF numbers before registration.

The current service description states that bank-account setup is included. Bank approval itself remains subject to the bank’s own onboarding and compliance requirements.

After registration, you receive the company registration certificate, company NIF and certidão permanente. The service also covers relevant tax and social-security registration so the company can proceed with its business arrangements.

The process includes choosing the company name and activity, defining shareholders and share capital, preparing incorporation documents, submitting them to the Commercial Registry, completing tax and social-security registration and receiving the company registration documents.

The Commercial Registry is the registration authority used to formally register companies and their corporate information. The current service submits the incorporation application to the Conservatória do Registo Comercial.

Yes. The current process includes registration with the Portuguese Tax Authority for the relevant tax obligations, including VAT and corporation-tax registration as applicable.

Yes. The current process includes registration with Portuguese Social Security as applicable to the company and its circumstances.

Yes. Freelancers can consider an Lda where a company structure fits their business plans. However, the current page notes that trabalhador independente registration may be simpler for some solo freelancers with low turnover.

A registered Lda can operate as a Portuguese legal entity and issue invoices subject to the applicable VAT and tax rules. The current page identifies invoicing Portuguese or EU clients as one reason a business may need an Lda.

No. Business Incorporation creates the company. The D2 Visa is a separate immigration process requiring its own eligibility assessment and supporting evidence, including a business plan where applicable.

No. Company incorporation does not guarantee D2 Visa approval. The immigration authorities assess the complete application, eligibility and supporting evidence.
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