# Empresa na Hora: Register a Company in Portugal in One Day

> How Portugal's Empresa na Hora service works, what it costs, who can use it and how it compares with registering online.

Source: https://getlda.pt/guides/empresa-na-hora · Updated 2026-09-28

**Quick answer:** Empresa na Hora ("Company on the Spot") is a government service that incorporates a company in a single registry appointment for €360. You must use a pre-approved name (or one already approved) and pre-approved articles of association. It's the fastest route — often 24–48 hours from booking — but it's less flexible than an online registration with custom articles.

**Empresa na Hora** is one of Portugal's best-known public services: the company is incorporated in a single appointment at a registry office. With GetLDA.pt, our partner lawyer attends on your behalf.

## How it works

1. **We book the appointment** at a registry office (*conservatória*) that offers the service.
2. **You choose a name** from the list of pre-approved names, or use a name approval certificate you already have.
3. **You choose pre-approved articles of association** — standard templates rather than custom-drafted ones.
4. **Our lawyer attends the appointment** on your behalf, under a power of attorney, so you don't need to travel.
5. **The company is registered the same day** — you receive the NIPC, the access code to the certidão permanente and the articles.

## How much does it cost?

The registry fee is **€360**. If you use your own name you'll already have paid €75 for the name certificate.

## Who can use it?

Empresa na Hora can be used to create an Lda., a Unipessoal Lda. or an S.A. Partners can be non-residents, but every individual partner and manager needs a Portuguese [NIF](https://getlda.pt/guides/nif-for-foreigners), and foreign companies acting as partners must present apostilled and translated documents.

## Empresa na Hora vs online registration

| | Empresa na Hora | Empresa Online |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Registry office, attended by our lawyer | Online, filed by our lawyer |
| Fee | €360 | €220 (pre-approved articles) or €360 (custom) |
| Articles | Pre-approved only | Pre-approved or custom |
| Name | Pre-approved or already approved | Pre-approved or already approved |
| Speed | Same day | Usually 2–4 weeks in total |
| Travel needed for you | No (lawyer attends under power of attorney) | No |

## When to use Empresa na Hora

It's a good choice when speed matters more than flexibility — for example to sign a contract or a lease quickly — and the standard articles suit you. If you need custom rules between partners (share transfers, vesting, voting), register online with custom articles instead.

GetLDA.pt's Custom package offers same-day Empresa na Hora registration, with a dedicated lawyer attending the appointment for you. See the [registration guide](https://getlda.pt/guides/how-to-register-a-company-in-portugal) for the full process.

## Related guides

- [How to Register a Company (Lda.) in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide](https://getlda.pt/guides/how-to-register-a-company-in-portugal.md)
- [How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Portugal?](https://getlda.pt/guides/cost-of-opening-a-company-in-portugal.md)
- [Unipessoal Lda.: The Single-Member Company in Portugal](https://getlda.pt/guides/unipessoal-lda.md)

Ready to open your Lda.? Licensed Portuguese lawyers handle it 100% online: https://getlda.pt/register