Opening a Company in Portugal as a Non-Resident or Foreigner

Portugal welcomes foreign entrepreneurs, and there's no requirement for a Portuguese partner, manager or resident director. Here's how the process works when you're based abroad.

Can a foreigner own a company in Portugal?

Yes. Individuals of any nationality — and companies from any country — can hold 100% of a Portuguese Lda. Managers don't need to be Portuguese residents either.

Owning a company does not give you the right to live or work in Portugal. If you plan to move, you'll need an appropriate visa or residence permit, which is a separate process. For founders from outside the EU, the usual route is the D2 entrepreneur visa, which is built around a Portuguese company.

Step 1: Tax numbers

Every individual partner and manager needs a Portuguese NIF; a foreign company partner needs a Portuguese tax number too. If you live outside the EU/EEA, you must appoint a fiscal representative or opt in to electronic notifications. See our NIF guide.

Step 2: Documents

For individuals:

• passport or national ID;
• proof of address;
• marital status and matrimonial property regime (this is recorded for each partner).

For company partners:

• certificate of incorporation, registry extract and articles;
• board resolution approving the investment;
• power of attorney for the person signing.

Foreign public documents need an apostille (or consular legalisation for countries outside the Hague Convention) and a certified Portuguese translation.

Step 3: Registered office

The company needs an address in Portugal. Non-residents usually use a virtual office that receives and scans official mail.

Step 4: Remote incorporation

A lawyer files the registration online (Empresa Online) using powers of attorney, so nobody has to travel. Government fees are €220 with pre-approved articles or €360 with custom articles. Read the full registration process.

Step 5: After incorporation

• Declare the beneficial owners in the RCBE.
• Appoint a certified accountant.
• Open a business bank account — expect thorough identity and source-of-funds checks.

Tax considerations for non-residents

The Portuguese company pays corporate tax in Portugal. How you're taxed on salary or dividends depends on where you are tax resident and on any double tax treaty between that country and Portugal. Also check whether managing the company from abroad could make it tax resident in another country — take advice in your home country before you start.

How GetLDA.pt helps

We're built for founders abroad: an English-language online form, licensed Portuguese lawyers who file everything remotely, and help with NIF numbers, fiscal representation and virtual offices.