How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Portugal in 2026?

People often ask for one number. The honest answer is that the cost of a Portuguese company has a small fixed part and a larger part that depends on your plan. Here is how to think about each piece.

1. Government registration fees

This is the visible cost of registering the company. Setting up a company online with a pre-approved model of articles costs €220, and a company with its own custom articles costs €360.

Choosing your own company name

If you simply pick one of the pre-approved names, there is nothing extra to pay. If you want a name of your own choice, the name has to be selected and approved separately, which adds €75, or €150 if you need it urgently.

2. Share capital

There is no legal minimum for an Lda beyond €1 per quota, and the money stays in the company, it is not a fee. Capital is usually paid in cash into a company bank account. Choose an amount that matches the activity: enough to look serious to clients and the bank, but not more than the business needs.

3. Professional support

You can register a simple company yourself if you speak Portuguese and have the documents ready. Most foreign founders prefer a lawyer to draft the articles, handle the tax numbers and make sure the structure fits their visa plans. The cost depends on how complex the setup is.

4. Tax numbers and paperwork

Every shareholder needs a Portuguese NIF before the company can be registered. If you do not have one yet, our NIF service handles it remotely. The company also has to declare its beneficial owners and register for the right tax activities.

5. Bank account

A company needs its own account to receive the capital and run the business. Some banks are slower with foreign owners, so it helps to prepare documents carefully. We can also help with the bank account.

6. Ongoing costs

This is where most of the money goes over time:

• Certified accountant: mandatory for companies, usually billed monthly, with the price depending on invoices, employees and complexity.
• Taxes: corporate income tax on profits (see our IRC 2026 guide), VAT, and social security if you pay yourself a salary.
• Software and invoicing: certified invoicing software is required in Portugal.
• Registered address: if you do not have an office, you may need a domiciliation service.

What should you budget?

Think in two buckets: a one-off setup budget (registration, capital, legal support, bank account) and a monthly running budget (accountant, software, address, taxes). If you tell us what activity you plan and whether you will have employees, we can give you a clear estimate rather than a vague range.

Fees are set by the authorities and can change, so we confirm the current amounts when we prepare your file.