Business
The Commercial Companies Code with same-day company formation
Companies are governed by the Commercial Companies Code, with the quota company (Lda) and the public company (SA) predominating. Portugal is known for fast incorporation, including on-the-spot and online formation through the commercial registry.
Key rules
- An Lda can be formed with nominal capital, freely set by the shareholders.
- An SA requires minimum capital of EUR 50,000 and at least one shareholder if corporate.
- Empresa na Hora allows a company to be constituted in a single visit with pre-approved names.
Governing law
- Commercial Companies Code (Código das Sociedades Comerciais)
- Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Code (CIRE)
In practice
Beneficial-ownership registration and a Portuguese tax number for each shareholder and director are practical prerequisites to completing formation.