How much does it cost to register a company in Portugal, and can a foreigner do it online?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Registering a company online in Portugal costs €220 with pre-approved articles of association or €360 with your own; urgent requests cost €440 and €720. A normal request at an Empresa na Hora desk costs €360. Foreigners can file online using a Chave Móvel Digital linked to their passport or eIDAS, but every partner needs a Portuguese NIF.

Key facts

What	The guidance says	Source
Online, pre-approved articles	€220 normal, €440 urgent	IRN, Criar Empresa, “Quanto custa”
Online, your own articles	€360 normal, €720 urgent	IRN, Criar Empresa, “Quanto custa”
Empresa na Hora desk	€360 for a normal request	IRN, Criar Empresa na Hora, “Quanto custa”
Company types	Sociedade unipessoal por quotas, sociedade por quotas (Lda), sociedade anónima	Both IRN pages
Foreigners online	Chave Móvel Digital linked to a passport, or European authentication (eIDAS)	IRN, Criar Empresa, “Quem pode criar”
NIF	Online creation isn’t possible if any partner lacks a Portuguese NIF	IRN, Criar Empresa, “Atenção”
Deposit the capital	Within 5 working days, unless already done or deferred to the end of the first financial year	Both IRN pages, “O que acontece a seguir”
Beneficial owner declaration	Within 30 days	Both IRN pages, “O que acontece a seguir”

Online (Empresa 2.0)

The Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN) says anyone can create a company online with Cartão de Cidadão or Chave Móvel Digital authentication and digital signature. Foreign citizens can use a Chave Móvel Digital linked to their passport, or European eIDAS authentication. All partners must have this authentication and an active digital signature, because each signs the articles digitally.

The online service can’t be used if a partner is under 18, if any partner lacks a Portuguese NIF, if the company results from a merger or split, if a foreign company partner has no Portuguese NIPC, or if capital is contributed in kind. A foreign company partner must also provide a Portuguese NIPC and NIF, a commercial registry certificate from its home country, its updated articles, and a beneficial owner declaration.

You pay by MB Way, Multibanco or credit card within 48 hours of submitting. If the request has errors, you are notified and have 5 calendar days to fix them, at an extra €30. If you don’t, the registration can be approved provisionally or refused.

At an Empresa na Hora desk

At an Empresa na Hora desk the whole incorporation is done in one place and one sitting, at any desk regardless of where the company will have its seat. All partners must be present. Individual partners show an identity document (Citizen Card, identity card, passport or residence permit) and give their tax numbers (NIF). The normal fee is €360.

You choose a pre-approved name or bring an approved certificate of name admissibility, can choose a pre-approved articles model, and appoint a certified accountant from the list, or file the start-of-activity declaration at a tax office within 15 days of creating the company.

After registration

Both IRN pages say you have 5 working days to deposit the capital in the company’s bank account, unless it was already deposited or the partners declared they will deliver it by the end of the first financial year. The beneficial owner declaration is due within 30 days.

Minimum capital: there is no fixed minimum; each quota must be at least €1 (Código das Sociedades Comerciais, arts. 201 and 219(3)).

Sources

Justiça (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado), Criar Empresa – serviço online Empresa 2.0 checked 2026-10-25
Justiça (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado), Criar Empresa na Hora checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.