# Registered Office in Portugal: Can I Use a Virtual Office?

> Every Lda. needs a registered office (sede social) in Portugal. Here are your options — home address, office or virtual office — and what each involves.

Source: https://getlda.pt/guides/registered-office-virtual-office-portugal · Updated 2026-09-28

**Quick answer:** Every Portuguese company must have a registered office (sede social) in Portugal. It can be a partner's home, a rented office or a domiciliation service (virtual office) that provides a legal address and handles mail — typically around €50 per month. Official letters are sent there, so someone must reliably receive and forward them.

The **registered office** (*sede social*) is the company's official address. It appears in the articles of association and the commercial registry, and it determines which municipality's surcharge rate applies to the company's profits.

## Your options

| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| **A partner's home** | Residents starting small | Some leases or condominium rules restrict business use; your address becomes public |
| **A rented office or coworking** | Teams working on site | Cost; make sure the contract allows it to be the registered office |
| **A virtual office (domiciliation)** | Non-residents and remote teams | Choose a reputable provider that scans and forwards mail promptly |

## What a virtual office includes

A domiciliation contract typically provides:

- a legal address you can use as the registered office;
- receipt, scanning and forwarding of post, including registered letters;
- sometimes a local phone number and meeting rooms.

Expect to pay around **€50 per month**, more for extra services.

## Why mail handling matters

The Tax Authority, Social Security, courts and the registry send notices to the registered office, and deadlines often start when a letter is delivered. A missed letter can mean a missed deadline and a fine. If the company's managers live abroad, make sure your provider scans letters the day they arrive.

## Changing the registered office later

You can move the registered office. Unless the articles of association say otherwise, the managers can decide to move it anywhere within Portugal without a partners' meeting (article 12 of the Commercial Companies Code). The change is then registered with the commercial registry and communicated to the Tax Authority.

## Can GetLDA.pt help?

Yes — our Premium package includes virtual office set-up (the address itself is billed monthly by the provider), and our [cost calculator](https://getlda.pt/tools/company-setup-cost-calculator) lets you add it to your estimate.

## 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)
- [Opening a Company in Portugal as a Non-Resident or Foreigner](https://getlda.pt/guides/open-a-company-in-portugal-as-a-non-resident.md)
- [How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Portugal?](https://getlda.pt/guides/cost-of-opening-a-company-in-portugal.md)

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