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

> How foreigners and non-residents open an Lda. in Portugal remotely: NIF, fiscal representative, apostilles, registered office and bank account.

Source: https://getlda.pt/guides/open-a-company-in-portugal-as-a-non-resident · Updated 2026-09-29

**Quick answer:** Anyone, of any nationality and living anywhere, can own and manage a Portuguese Lda. — you don't need residency or a visa to own a company. You'll need a Portuguese NIF, a fiscal representative or electronic notifications (if you live outside the EU/EEA), a registered office in Portugal and, for company partners, apostilled and translated documents. The whole process can be done remotely through a lawyer.

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](https://getlda.pt/guides/d2-visa-portugal-company), 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](https://getlda.pt/guides/nif-for-foreigners).

## 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](https://getlda.pt/guides/registered-office-virtual-office-portugal)** 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](https://getlda.pt/guides/how-to-register-a-company-in-portugal).

## Step 5: After incorporation

- Declare the beneficial owners in the [RCBE](https://getlda.pt/guides/rcbe-beneficial-ownership-register).
- Appoint a [certified accountant](https://getlda.pt/guides/accountant-requirements-portugal).
- Open a [business bank account](https://getlda.pt/guides/opening-a-business-bank-account-in-portugal) — 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.

## Related guides

- [Portugal D2 Visa: Using a Portuguese Company (Lda.) to Move to Portugal](https://getlda.pt/guides/d2-visa-portugal-company.md)
- [NIF for Foreigners: Getting a Portuguese Tax Number to Open a Company](https://getlda.pt/guides/nif-for-foreigners.md)
- [Registered Office in Portugal: Can I Use a Virtual Office?](https://getlda.pt/guides/registered-office-virtual-office-portugal.md)

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