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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Company Type
Lda (Quotas)
⏱️
Timeline
10–20 business days
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Method
Fully Remote
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Service fee
€1,495

Business Incorporation is Visas.pt's Portuguese company formation service, covering LDA (or other entity) registration, articles of association, and registration with tax and social security authorities. It costs €1,495, includes NIF and bank account setup, and typically completes in 10–20 business days.

Who This Is For

Do you need a Portuguese company?

A Portuguese Lda is the standard business structure for entrepreneurs, freelancers scaling up, and D2 visa applicants who need to demonstrate a viable business.

✅ You need an Lda if you…
  • 🗺️
    Are applying for a D2 Entrepreneur VisaMost D2 applications require a registered Portuguese company as part of the investment requirement.
  • 🛡️
    Want limited liability protectionAn Lda separates your personal assets from business liabilities — unlike sole trading.
  • 🤝
    Have a business partner or investorThe Lda structure allows multiple shareholders with defined ownership percentages.
  • 📊
    Need to invoice clients in Portugal or the EUA registered Lda can issue VAT invoices and operate as a legal entity within the EU.
ℹ️ Consider instead if you…
  • 🧾
    Are a sole freelancer with low turnoverA "trabalhador independente" (green receipts) registration may be simpler and cheaper to start.
  • 💼
    Are employed and not self-employedIf you have a Portuguese employment contract, an Lda is not needed — that's the D1 or D8 route.
  • ❓
    Are not sure of your business structureBook a consultation — we'll advise on whether an Lda, ENI, or another structure suits your plans.
Pricing

Choose the right level of support

No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup, with a 50% discount for the second person and a 70% discount for dependants.

Business Incorporation
€1495
For entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Portugal
  • Company registration (LDA and other forms)
  • Drafting articles of association and shareholder setup
  • Registration with tax and social security authorities
  • Integration with visa and residency applications
  • Includes NIF number and Bank Account applications
  • (Typical timeline: 10–20 business days)
(+€75) Custom Name
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The Process

How we register your Lda in 6 steps

We handle the legal, administrative, and registration steps from start to finish.

1
Choose Company Name & Activity
We check name availability with the commercial registry (RNPC) and identify the correct CAE activity code for your business.
2
Define Structure & Share Capital
We advise on director appointments, shareholding split, and share capital — typically €1+ (we advise on the right amount for your D2 application).
3
Prepare Incorporation Documents
We draft the articles of association and all incorporation documents. You sign — we handle everything else.
4
Register with the Commercial Registry
We submit to the Conservatória do Registo Comercial. Online registration typically takes 1–5 business days once submitted.
5
Tax & Social Security Registration
We register the company with the Tax Authority (AT) for VAT and corporation tax, and with Social Security for the company.
6
Certificate of Incorporation Issued
You receive your company registration certificate, NIF, and a certidão permanente (permanent company excerpt). Ready to operate and open a business bank account.
What You'll Need

Required information & documents

We'll confirm exactly what's needed after your initial consultation. Here's the standard list.

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NIF for All Directors/Shareholders
Every director and shareholder must have a valid Portuguese NIF number before the company can be registered.
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Passport or ID
Certified copy of passport or national ID for all directors and shareholders.
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Proposed Company Name(s)
We check availability and reserve your name with the National Registry Centre (RNPC).
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Business Activity Description
A clear description of what the company will do — we map this to the correct CAE classification code.
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Share Capital Amount
The minimum is technically €1, but for D2 visa purposes we advise on the appropriate amount during consultation.
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Registered Office Address
A Portuguese address for the company's registered office. We can advise on registered address services if needed.
D2 Visa applicants: Your business plan is a separate document from the incorporation itself. We advise on the full D2 application as part of our D2 Visa package →
Business Incorporation
Register your Portuguese Lda — fully remote
Service
Lda Incorporation
€1,495
Full legal registration, 10–20 business days, all-in.
D2 Visa + Incorporation Bundle
€3,090
D2 Complete Package (€1,595) + business incorporation (€1,495).
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FAQ

Questions about our Business Incorporation

Foreigners can own 100% of a Portuguese company. You need a NIF for each shareholder and director, a company name approval, registered office address, and share capital deposit. Our lawyers incorporate your Lda entirely remotely via Power of Attorney from €1,495 — no travel to Portugal required.

Typically 10–20 business days once we have your documents. Simple structures using the 'Empresa na Hora' fast-track can complete in 1–5 business days; companies with foreign corporate shareholders or complex structures take longer. We give you a firm timeline at kickoff.

An Lda (Sociedade por Quotas) is Portugal's private limited company — equivalent to a UK Ltd or US LLC — with simple governance and 1–50 shareholders; it's what most SMEs and D2 visa applicants use. An SA (Sociedade Anónima) suits larger ventures with €50,000+ share capital and stricter reporting.

Legally just €1 per shareholder. However, for D2 visa purposes AIMA expects evidence of meaningful investment aligned with your business plan — we advise the appropriate capital for your visa strategy during consultation.

Yes — a business account is required to deposit share capital and operate the company. We open it as part of the incorporation service or via our standalone bank account service, working with major Portuguese banks experienced with foreign-owned companies.

Portuguese companies pay corporate income tax (IRC) on profits — with a reduced rate on the first tranche of profits for SMEs — plus VAT (IVA, standard 23%) where applicable and social security on salaries. An accountant (contabilista certificado) is mandatory; we connect you with English-speaking accountants as part of the setup.

Yes — for the D2 Entrepreneur Visa, a registered Portuguese Lda with share capital and a business plan is strong evidence of genuine activity, and many consulates expect it. We frequently bundle incorporation with the D2 process so both files reinforce each other.
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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Company Registration from
€1495
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