Glossary of Portuguese Company Terms

Apostille — Apostila

A certificate under the Hague Convention that authenticates a public document (such as a foreign company's incorporation certificate) so it is accepted in Portugal. Documents from non-Hague countries need consular legalisation instead. Learn more: Opening a Company in Portugal as a Non-Resident or Foreigner →

CAE — Classificação Portuguesa das Atividades Económicas

The five-digit code that classifies a company's business activity. Every Lda. declares a main CAE and can add secondary codes; the codes affect licensing, VAT treatment and statistics. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

Capital social — Share capital

The total value contributed by the partners. For an Lda. the legal minimum is €1 per quota, although a higher amount is often recommended for credibility with banks and suppliers. Learn more: How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Portugal? →

Certidão permanente — Permanent certificate

An online, always up-to-date extract of a company's commercial registry record, accessed with a code. It is the standard proof that a Portuguese company exists and who manages it. Learn more: Portugal Company Registry: How to Search a Company and Get a Certidão Permanente →

Certificado de admissibilidade — Name approval certificate

The certificate issued by the RNPC confirming that a proposed company name can be used. It is valid for three months and required when the name is not chosen from the pre-approved list. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

Contabilista certificado — Certified accountant

An accountant registered with the Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados (OCC). Every Lda. must appoint one to keep its books and file its tax returns. Learn more: Do I Need an Accountant for My Portuguese Company? →

Derrama — Surcharge

A surcharge on taxable profit on top of IRC: the derrama municipal set by each municipality (up to 1.5%) and the progressive derrama estadual on profits above €1.5 million. Learn more: Corporate Tax in Portugal (2026): IRC Rates for an Lda. →

Empresa na Hora — Company on the Spot

A government service that incorporates a company in a single appointment using a pre-approved name and pre-approved articles of association. Learn more: Empresa na Hora: Register a Company in Portugal in One Day →

Empresa Online — Online company

The online incorporation service of the Portuguese registry. It can be used with pre-approved or custom articles and is usually filed by a lawyer or solicitor on the founders' behalf. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

ENI — Empresário em Nome Individual

A sole trader: an individual doing business in their own name, with unlimited personal liability. The main alternative to an Lda. for small businesses. Learn more: Lda. vs Sole Trader (ENI) in Portugal: Which Should You Choose? →

Gerente — Manager / director

The person (or persons) who legally represent and manage an Lda. A gerente does not have to be a partner or a Portuguese resident, but needs a Portuguese NIF. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

IES — Informação Empresarial Simplificada

The annual combined filing that submits a company's accounts to the tax authority, the commercial registry, the Bank of Portugal and the statistics office. Learn more: Do I Need an Accountant for My Portuguese Company? →

IRC — Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Coletivas

Portuguese corporate income tax, charged on a company's taxable profit. Learn more: Corporate Tax in Portugal (2026): IRC Rates for an Lda. →

Lda. — Sociedade por Quotas (Limitada)

A private limited company whose capital is divided into quotas. The most common company type in Portugal for small and medium businesses. Learn more: What Does "Lda." Mean? The Portuguese Limited Company Explained →

NIF — Número de Identificação Fiscal

The Portuguese tax identification number for individuals. Every partner and manager of an Lda. needs one. Learn more: NIF for Foreigners: Getting a Portuguese Tax Number to Open a Company →

NIPC — Número de Identificação de Pessoa Coletiva

The tax and identification number of a company or other legal entity, assigned when the company is incorporated. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

NISS — Número de Identificação de Segurança Social

The Social Security number. Companies and paid managers must be registered with Segurança Social.

Pacto social — Articles of association

The company's constitutional document, setting out its name, registered office, object, capital, quotas and management rules. Learn more: How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide →

Quota — Share (in an Lda.)

A partner's participation in the capital of an Lda. Quotas are not freely tradable like shares in an S.A. Learn more: Unipessoal Lda.: The Single-Member Company in Portugal →

RCBE — Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo

The Central Register of Beneficial Owners. Companies must declare the individuals who ultimately own or control them and confirm the data every year. Learn more: RCBE: Portugal's Beneficial Ownership Register Explained →

Representante fiscal — Fiscal representative

A Portugal-resident person or company who represents a non-resident taxpayer before the tax authority. Non-residents outside the EU/EEA can often use electronic notifications instead. Learn more: NIF for Foreigners: Getting a Portuguese Tax Number to Open a Company →

S.A. — Sociedade Anónima

A public limited company with shares, a minimum capital of €50,000 and at least five shareholders (or one if it is owned by a company). Used for larger businesses. Learn more: Lda. vs S.A. in Portugal: Private or Public Limited Company? →

Sede social — Registered office

The official address of the company in Portugal, where official notices are sent. It can be a home, an office or a domiciliation (virtual office) service. Learn more: Registered Office in Portugal: Can I Use a Virtual Office? →

SGPS — Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais

A Portuguese holding company whose sole purpose is to manage shareholdings in other companies. Learn more: Owning a Portuguese Lda. Through a Holding Company (and What an SGPS Is) →

Territórios do interior — Interior territories

The municipalities and parishes listed in Portaria 208/2017 where eligible SMEs pay a reduced 12.5% IRC rate on their first €50,000 of profit, provided their activity and effective management are located there. Learn more: 12.5% Corporate Tax in Portugal's Interior (Low-Density) Regions →

Unipessoal Lda. — Single-member Lda.

An Lda. with a single partner (an individual or a company). The name must include the word "Unipessoal". Learn more: Unipessoal Lda.: The Single-Member Company in Portugal →