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.
Company Type
Lda (Quotas)
Typical Timeline
10 to 20 business days
Method
Fully Remote
Service fee
€1,495
Client Stories
Real people. Real results.
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 comprehensive Business Incorporation package fee is €1,495, which covers articles of association, Commercial Registry filing, NIF setup, and corporate bank account coordination.
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.
Most business owners establish an Lda (Sociedade por Quotas), the standard Portuguese limited liability company structure. Unipessoal Lda structures are also available for sole owners.
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.
Not in all cases, though registering an Lda significantly reinforces commercial viability for an entrepreneurial application. Independent professionals can also apply as sole traders.
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.
Yes. Every director and shareholder must obtain a Portuguese taxpayer number (NIF) before incorporation documents can be lodged with the registry.
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 statutory minimum share capital is €1 per quota share (€2 total for a multi-shareholder Lda), though a commercially sensible initial capital is recommended for business operations.
While the legal minimum is nominal, D2 applicants should calibrate share capital to match the operational and startup capital requirements outlined in their business plan.
Yes. An Lda can have multiple individual or corporate shareholders with clearly defined equity quotas and voting rights.
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 operate through an Lda for liability protection or corporate tax structuring, though simpler sole trader status is often preferred for lower initial turnovers.
Yes. A Portuguese Lda is a fully recognized European entity capable of issuing certified invoices and utilizing EU VIES intra-community VAT mechanisms.
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.
Ready to Start?
Get your Portuguese company registered in 10–20 days
We handle every step — from name check to incorporation certificate. You just need to sign.
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Lawyer-backed
Based in Portugal
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