Can a foreigner open a company in Portugal?
Yes. You don't need to be a resident or a Portuguese citizen to incorporate a company in Portugal. Both EU and third-country nationals can be shareholders and managers of a Portuguese company.
- Always required — a Portuguese NIF (tax identification number) for each shareholder and manager. It is the first step and the foundation of the whole process.
- Third-country shareholders — may need to appoint a tax representative in Portugal while they are not resident. We confirm your specific situation.
- Working in the company in Portugal — being a shareholder does not, in itself, grant the right to live and work in the country. For that there is the D2 visa, aimed at entrepreneurs.
Company ownership and the right of residence are two distinct matters. We assess both together so your project is well structured from the outset.
Company types: which to choose
The right legal form depends on the number of shareholders, the level of liability you want and your goals. The most common structures are:
- Private Limited Company (Lda.) — the form most used by small and medium businesses. It can have one or several shareholders and liability is generally limited to the share capital.
- Single-Shareholder Limited Company — an Lda. with a single shareholder, ideal for the solo entrepreneur who wants to separate personal assets from those of the company.
- Public Limited Company (S.A.) — designed for larger projects, with capital divided into shares and its own governance requirements.
- Sole Trader — activity carried out in your own name, without creating a company; simpler, but without the same separation of liability.
We do not publish minimum share-capital figures or fixed charges because they vary by form and can change — we confirm with you the exact requirements for your case.
Step by step: incorporation
Incorporating a company in Portugal follows a logical sequence. Broadly:
- 1. NIF for each shareholder and manager — the starting point. It can be handled remotely, before you arrive, through NIF Express.
- 2. Company name approval — obtaining a certificate of admissibility for the company name from the RNPC.
- 3. Articles of association — defining shareholders, capital, business purpose and management rules.
- 4. Incorporation — this can be done in a simplified way (for example, via "Empresa na Hora") or by deed, depending on the case.
- 5. NIPC — assignment of the Legal Person Identification Number, which identifies the company.
- 6. Start of activity — declaration to the Tax Authority and other registrations (Social Security, etc.).
Each step has its own documents and formalities. We handle the process end to end so nothing slips.
NIF, NIPC and tax obligations
Two essential numbers are often confused:
- NIF — identifies each individual before the tax authority. Every shareholder and manager needs one.
- NIPC — identifies the company (legal person). It is assigned on incorporation and works as the company's "NIF".
Once incorporated, a company has regular obligations: organised accounting, VAT, corporate income tax (IRC) and periodic returns. Choosing the tax regime and meeting deadlines are decisive — and this is where many foreign entrepreneurs need local support. Learn more about NIF and taxation. We do not quote specific rates or thresholds because they change; we clarify the framework in force at the time of your project.
Company and residence: the D2 visa
Opening a company does not, by itself, grant the right to live in Portugal. For third-country entrepreneurs who want to settle and run the business in the country, the usual route is the D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employed).
The D2 typically rests on a solid business plan, proof of means and the viability of the project. Structuring the company and the visa application in a coordinated way avoids rework and delays. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need no visa to reside, but still handle the local bureaucracy — including the bank account for the company.
Common mistakes and when to seek support
The most frequent stumbles for those opening a company remotely are avoidable:
- Setting up the company before the NIF — the right order always starts with the NIF for each party.
- Choosing the wrong legal form — an unsuitable structure creates costs and rigidity that are hard to fix later.
- Confusing ownership with residence — being a shareholder does not replace the right visa to live and work in the country.
- Underestimating accounting obligations — in Portugal, organised accounting requires a certified accountant.
Blue Ocean Immigration, with offices on Av. da Liberdade in Lisbon, supports international entrepreneurs and investors with company incorporation, tax framing and, where applicable, the residence visa. Book an initial assessment and receive a clear plan for your business.