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Company Formation in Portugal
Creating a company in Portugal offers a stable European framework, competitive taxation, simplified procedures and smooth access to international markets.
*Official registration fees and government taxes included
Why is Portugal a strategic option?
Flexible and modern legal structures
- Lda (Sociedade por Quotas), equivalent to an LLC: symbolic minimum share capital of €1, payable in several installments; sometimes practiced around €5,000–10,000 for banking credibility.
- SA (Sociedade Anónima): capital of €50,000, more complex management, suited to larger structures.
Competitive taxation
- Standard corporate tax (IRC): 21%, reduced to 20% from 2025; for SMEs, 16% on the first €50,000 of profits.
- Madeira (CIMR – international business center): reduced rate up to 5% for eligible companies.
- VAT (IVA) in mainland Portugal: 23% standard, with reduced rates of 13% and 6% depending on activities.
- Local surcharge (Derrama Municipal): up to 1.5% depending on the municipality (e.g. Lisbon, Porto).
Digital administration & speed
- Online procedures possible, without travel or complex registration: Lda in a few days.
- Simplified process ideal for freelancers, e-commerce businesses, startups, investors.
Dynamic economic ecosystem
- Initiatives such as Indústria 4.0, microcredits, accelerators (Startup Lisboa, Beta-i, etc.) promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
Portugal as a Lusophone hub: facilitated access to African and Latin American markets.
Our Service-Societe.com support
Choice of appropriate structure (Lda, SA, etc.)
Formation procedures
- Drafting and filing of articles of association, name reservation, obtaining NIF (tax number), registration with the Registo Nacional da Pessoa Colectiva.
Share capital
- Flexible payment (symbolic €1 possible), realistic recommendation for banking credibility (€5–10,000).
Banking introduction (skillfully completed without automatic guarantee)
Compliance and monitoring
- VAT setup, management of tax obligations, advice on economic substance (office, address, effective management).
Sister Solutions
- Domiciliation service, tailored accounting, responsive French-speaking support.
Key advantages of Portugal
- Fast procedures, fully online
- Low-cost and flexible structures
- Advantageous taxation and local incentives
- Tech hub and favorable geopolitical position
- Access to European and Lusophone markets
- Competent local support in French
2 990,00 €
HT *No travel required – Registration guaranteed within 48h
Official registration fees and government taxes included
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Frequently asked questions
What share capital is actually required to create an Lda in Portugal?
Legally, an Lda can be formed with a symbolic share capital of €1, which makes this legal form extremely accessible to entrepreneurs. This low minimum capital facilitates the rapid start of a business, particularly for freelancers, consultants and service companies. However, in practice, capital that is too low can pose problems during banking or commercial procedures.
Portuguese banks and partners analyze the consistency between your share capital, your business model and your commercial ambitions. This is why it is generally recommended to plan for capital between €5,000 and €10,000, even though this is not a legal requirement. This amount strengthens your credibility, facilitates the opening of a business bank account and reassures your clients and suppliers.
With Service-Societe.com, we advise you on the most relevant capital level based on your activity, your strategy and your banking needs, in order to find the right balance between legal flexibility and operational credibility.
What is the concrete difference between an Lda and an SA in Portugal?
The Lda (Sociedade por Quotas) is the equivalent of a French SARL. It is simple to create, flexible in its management and suited to small and medium-sized businesses. It requires few formalities, can be managed by a single director and is perfectly suited to individual entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers and service companies.
The SA (Sociedade Anónima), on the other hand, is a heavier and more formal structure. It requires a minimum capital of €50,000, more complex governance and often several shareholders. It is generally chosen by companies seeking to raise funds, welcome investors or develop large-scale international projects.
In most cases, the Lda is the best option for international entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves quickly in Portugal. Service-Societe.com helps you make the right choice according to your project.
What taxation actually applies to Portuguese companies?
In mainland Portugal, corporate tax (IRC) is set at 20% from 2025. For small and medium-sized enterprises, a reduced rate of 16% may apply on the first €50,000 of profits, subject to certain conditions related to the size and activity of the company.
If you choose Madeira, the CIMR regime can allow a reduced rate that can go down to 5%, but only for eligible companies meeting strict criteria of economic substance and real activity.
Regarding VAT (IVA), the standard rate is 23%, with reduced rates of 13% and 6% for certain sectors. Finally, some municipalities apply a Derrama Municipal that can go up to 1.5%.
Service-Societe.com does not provide personalized tax advice, but supports you with administrative structuring and can direct you to local partners if necessary.
Can you really create a company in Portugal without traveling and is economic substance required?
Yes. The entire process can be completed 100% remotely: signing documents, filing articles of association, obtaining the NIF and official registration can be done online or by proxy. You therefore do not need to physically travel to Portugal to create your company.
However, to ensure the banking and tax credibility of your company, it is strongly recommended to establish a minimum economic substance. This may include a domiciliation address, local administrative management or elements proving that the company is not simply an empty shell.
Service-Societe.com supports you in this process by offering domiciliation solutions and structuring your project in a manner consistent with Portuguese banking and administrative requirements.