🇵🇹Portugal Company Registration for Non-Residents · EU Lda · 100% Foreign-Owned · EU Market Access

Register a Portugal Company
as a Non-Resident

A Portuguese Lda is a full EU, euro-zone company — 100% foreign-owned and formed remotely. We’re honest from the start: mainland Portugal isn’t a tax haven (19% IRC), but Madeira’s 5% regime and EU access make it a strong base.

Lda
Sociedade por Quotas · 100% Foreign-Owned
19%
IRC — 15% for SMEs; 5% in Madeira
€1
Min Share Capital (per quota)
1–3 wks
Timeline (NIF step takes longest)
✓
Full EU & Euro-Zone
Single-market access with the euro — no exchange risk
✓
19% IRC / 5% Madeira
15% for SMEs on the first €50k; 5% in the Madeira regime
✓
NIF & Fiscal Rep Handled
We arrange the tax numbers & representation non-residents need
✓
Honest on Tax & NHR
Straight about mainland tax, the Madeira rules and NHR’s end
Start Portugal Company →Mainland vs Madeira Tax ↓
Start Your Portugal Company

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Portugal company registration for non-residents — an EU base on the Atlantic
Portugal company registration for non-residents — a full EU company on the Atlantic, formed remotely from anywhere.
Why Portugal

Why Register a Company
in Portugal?

Portugal company registration is a popular EU route for founders who want market access, lifestyle and a realistic path to residency — here is why, and where the honest trade-offs lie.

🇪🇺
A Full EU & Euro-Zone Company
Portugal is a European Union and euro-zone member, so a Portuguese Lda gives you genuine single-market access, EU credibility and the euro as your currency — no exchange risk. For selling into Europe and holding an EU presence, it’s a straightforward, respected base.
📉
Lowered 19% IRC (15% for SMEs)
Corporate tax on the mainland fell to 19% for 2026, with a reduced 15% rate on the first €50,000 of profit for small and medium companies. It’s a competitive EU rate — not ultra-low, but paired with real market access and, for the right business, the Madeira regime below.
🏝️
Madeira’s 5% Regime
The Madeira International Business Centre offers an EU-approved 5% corporate tax rate on qualifying income for licensed, substance-backed companies. For genuinely international operations willing to base real activity in Madeira, it’s one of the EU’s most attractive legitimate rates.
🛂
A Real Path to Residency
Portugal pairs naturally with residency routes — the D7 passive-income visa, the D8 digital-nomad visa, and the Golden Visa (now via funds and business, not real estate). For founders planning to relocate to the EU, a Portuguese company and residency can work hand in hand.
🚀
A Thriving Tech & Startup Scene
Lisbon and Porto host one of Europe’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, home to Web Summit, a deep talent pool and a strong quality of life. For tech founders and remote-first companies, Portugal offers an energetic, well-connected European base.
🌎
100% Foreign-Owned, Formed Remotely
You can own the whole company as a non-resident, with no local partner, and incorporate remotely under a power of attorney. The one real extra step is obtaining Portuguese NIF tax numbers — and a fiscal representative for non-EU members — which CompanyVista arranges.
Who Should Choose Portugal

Which Founders Benefit Most
From a Portugal Company?

Portugal company registration rewards EU-market and relocation-minded founders — and is a poor fit for anyone expecting a mainland tax haven or the old NHR benefits. Here’s where it fits.

💻
Best Fit
Tech & Startups
Lisbon and Porto’s ecosystem, talent and lifestyle make Portugal a natural European home for tech and startups. A Portuguese Lda gives you EU standing, access to local talent and grants, and a credible base to build and raise from within Europe.
🌍
Best Fit
Digital Nomads & Remote Founders
For location-independent founders, a Portuguese company pairs with the D8 digital-nomad visa to combine an EU business with EU residency. It’s one of the most welcoming European setups for remote entrepreneurs who want to actually live where they base their company.
🏝️
Best Fit
Madeira International Services
International services, consulting, IP and holding businesses willing to put genuine substance in Madeira can access the 5% regime — one of the EU’s most attractive legitimate rates. It suits operations that can meet the job-creation and investment conditions.
🛒
Good Fit
E-commerce & EU Trade
A Portuguese Lda gives e-commerce and trading businesses a euro-zone base with EU VAT registration and single-market access. It’s a solid European presence — just mind the 23% VAT and the accounting obligations that come with an EU company.
🏠
Good Fit
Founders Relocating to Portugal
If you intend to move to Portugal, incorporating here aligns your company with your future home and residency. A local company plus a D7 or D8 visa is a well-trodden route — and CompanyVista can coordinate both sides.
🚫
Weaker Fit
Mainland Tax-Minimisers
If your goal is the lowest possible corporate tax with no local substance, mainland Portugal’s 19% IRC isn’t it, and the old NHR personal regime has ended. Without a genuine Madeira operation, a UK Ltd, Estonia or UAE free zone may serve you better — and we’ll say so.
Sectors & Strengths

What Portugal Is Used For
Key Sectors & Frameworks

Portugal company registration is especially strong across a handful of sectors and frameworks. Here is where Portugal genuinely leads.

🚀
Startup Hub
Tech & Startups
Home to Web Summit and a fast-growing Lisbon-Porto ecosystem, with grants, accelerators and a deep, affordable talent pool. Portugal is a magnet for SaaS, product and venture-backed founders building from within the EU.
🏝️
5% Regime
Madeira International Business
The Madeira International Business Centre offers a licensed 5% IRC on qualifying income for substance-backed international services, consulting, IP and holding companies — an EU-approved framework for genuinely global operations.
🌍
D8 Visa
Digital Nomads & Remote
Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular bases for remote founders and freelancers, with the D8 digital-nomad visa pairing an EU company with EU residency and a high quality of life.
🚢
MAR Register
Shipping & Maritime
The Madeira International Shipping Register (MAR) is a respected EU flag with a competitive tonnage-tax framework — attractive for ship owners and maritime companies wanting an EU register with real advantages.
🤝
SGPS / Exemption
Holding & IP
Through the SGPS holding structure and the EU participation-exemption rules, Portugal can hold foreign subsidiaries, investments and IP efficiently — particularly when combined with the Madeira regime for international groups.
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Tourism & Property
Tourism & Real-Estate Services
Portugal’s strong tourism and property sectors suit hospitality operators, property-management and short-let service companies wanting a local EU entity — with the company structured for VAT and local compliance.
Mainland vs Madeira — Read This First

Portugal’s Tax, Honestly
Mainland 19% vs Madeira 5%

Portugal is often marketed as a low-tax EU base. The truth is more nuanced: mainland Portugal is a normal EU tax jurisdiction, while Madeira is the genuine low-tax option — with real conditions. Here is the honest picture.

1 · Mainland Portugal (19% IRC)
Mainland corporate tax (IRC) is 19% for 2026, with a reduced 15% rate on the first €50,000 of profit for SMEs, and municipal and state surtaxes on larger profits. VAT is 23%. It’s a competitive EU rate, but it is not a tax haven — mainland Portugal is chosen for EU market access, talent, lifestyle and residency routes, not for ultra-low tax.
2 · Madeira’s 5% Regime (MIBC)
The Madeira International Business Centre offers an EU-approved 5% IRC on qualifying income for licensed companies. It is genuine and powerful — but conditional: real substance, job creation and investment are required, the company must be licensed within the programme window, and benefits currently run to 2033. It rewards genuinely international operations based in Madeira, not letterbox entities.
⚠️
Two things people get wrong: the NHR personal tax regime has ended for new entrants — replaced by the much narrower IFICI (“NHR 2.0”) — so don’t plan around the old benefits; and non-EU members need a NIF and a fiscal representative before anything else can happen. The Golden Visa also no longer has a real-estate route. CompanyVista walks you through all of this before you commit.
Setup Options

Choosing Your Portugal Setup
Four Common Structures

There isn’t one “Portugal company” — the right structure depends on your goals, substance and whether Madeira fits. CompanyVista handles Portugal company registration end-to-end and recommends the structure that actually works for you.

19% / 15% SME
1 · Mainland Lda
The standard Sociedade por Quotas on the mainland — full EU access, 19% IRC (15% for SMEs on the first €50k), and straightforward to run. The default choice for EU market access, tech and trading when Madeira substance isn’t the goal.
5% regime
2 · Madeira (MIBC) Company
A licensed company in the Madeira International Business Centre, taxed at 5% on qualifying income. Requires genuine substance, job creation and investment, and licensing within the programme window — the route for substance-backed international operations.
solo founder
3 · Unipessoal Lda
A single-member Lda for solo founders — one shareholder, full limited liability, and the same EU standing. The simplest way for an individual non-resident to hold a Portuguese company without a second shareholder.
holding
4 · SGPS Holding
A Portuguese holding company (SGPS) using the EU participation exemption to hold foreign subsidiaries, shares and IP — often combined with the Madeira regime for international groups wanting an EU holding base.
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The right structure depends on whether you can meet Madeira’s substance conditions, your residency plans and how you’ll take profits. CompanyVista assesses all four and recommends the one that genuinely fits — not just the lowest headline rate.
Entity Type & Requirements

Portugal Sociedade por Quotas (Lda)
Key Facts & Requirements

The essentials of Portugal company registration — the numbers, the NIF and fiscal-representation rules, and the honest fit for a non-resident forming an Lda.

Portugal Lda — Key Facts
Entity TypeSociedade por Quotas (Lda); Unipessoal Lda (single-member) & Sociedade Anónima (SA) also available
RegistryRegisto Nacional de Pessoas Coletivas (RNPC) / Commercial Registry; via Empresa na Hora or online
Foreign Ownership100% — no restriction on nationality or residence; no local partner required
Shareholders1+ (quotaholders); a single member forms a Unipessoal Lda
Managers1+ manager (gerente), any nationality/residency
NIF (tax number)Required for the company (NIPC) and every shareholder and manager
Fiscal RepresentativeRequired for non-EU/EEA members — the Tax Authority won’t issue a NIF without one
Registered OfficeA registered office in Portugal, set at incorporation
Share CapitalMinimum €1 per quota; payable within 5 days of incorporation or deferred to year-end
FormationSame-day via Empresa na Hora (~€360 state fee); ~1–3 weeks all-in for non-residents
Corporate Tax (IRC)19% mainland (15% SME on first €50k); 5% in the Madeira regime
VAT (IVA)23% mainland, 22% Madeira, 16% Azores
Your Obligations After Formation
Portugal has real, ongoing compliance — certified accounting is effectively mandatory. CompanyVista handles it.
1 · Certified Accountant (TOC/CC)A certified accountant is effectively required to keep the books and file
2 · IRC Return (Modelo 22)Annual corporate tax return and payments on account
3 · VAT & IES FilingsPeriodic VAT returns and the annual IES/simplified accounting declaration
4 · NIF & Fiscal RepMaintain the company and officers’ NIFs and any fiscal representation
Madeira (if applicable)Meet the licence, substance and job-creation conditions each year
Home-Country TaxCFC and residence rules where you live may still apply
Is a Portugal Lda Right for You?
  • ✓You want EU market access and a euro-zone base
  • ✓You’re in tech, services or e-commerce in the EU
  • ✓You’re relocating or want a D7/D8 residency route
  • ✓You can meet Madeira’s substance rules (for 5%)
  • ✕You want the lowest tax with no local substance
  • ✕You were counting on the old NHR regime
  • ✕You want zero paperwork / no accountant
If Portugal isn’t the right fit, CompanyVista will point you to Cyprus, Malta or Estonia instead.
Documentation & Restrictions

What You’ll Need to Provide
& What to Be Aware Of

Portugal incorporation is quick once the NIF is in place, but the tax-number and fiscal-representation steps, plus a few honest caveats, deserve attention. CompanyVista prepares everything so it goes cleanly.

Documents You’ll Need to Provide
1
Passport — Each Shareholder & Manager
A certified colour copy of the passport for every quotaholder and manager — the core identity document for the NIF and incorporation.
2
Proof of Address
A recent utility bill or bank statement (usually within 3 months) for each individual — needed for the NIF application and banking.
3
NIF Application & Power of Attorney
A power of attorney so we can obtain your NIF and incorporate remotely, plus a fiscal-representation mandate for non-EU members.
4
Proposed Company Names & Activity (CAE)
One or two name options (or a pre-approved certificate) and your intended activity, mapped to the right CAE economic-activity code.
5
Shareholding & Management Structure
Who the quotaholders and managers are and their shareholdings, so the articles and registry filing are correct from day one.
6
Source-of-Funds & Business Profile (Banking)
A clear explanation of your business and source of funds — what Portuguese banks expect during account opening.
⚠️ Restrictions & What to Be Aware Of
  • ⚠Mainland Portugal isn’t a tax haven. IRC is 19% (15% for SMEs on the first €50k) plus surtaxes, and VAT is 23%. The genuine low-tax option is Madeira’s 5% regime, which has real substance conditions.
  • ⚠Non-EU members need a NIF and a fiscal representative. No Portuguese tax number is issued without a fiscal representative for non-EU/EEA members — and nothing proceeds without the NIF. It’s the step that takes longest, so we start it first.
  • ⚠NHR has ended. The old Non-Habitual Resident personal regime is closed to new entrants, replaced by the much narrower IFICI. Don’t plan personal tax around the former NHR benefits.
  • ⚠A certified accountant is effectively mandatory. Portuguese companies need a certified accountant (contabilista certificado) for bookkeeping and filings — an ongoing cost to budget for.
  • ⚠Banking can be slower. Account opening requires NIFs and can take time; many founders use fintech or EMI accounts alongside a Portuguese bank. A registration never guarantees an account.
  • ⚠A company is not residency. Incorporating doesn’t grant the right to live in Portugal — that needs a visa such as the D7 or D8, which we can coordinate separately.
Tax Environment — In Depth

Portugal Tax for Companies
The Full Picture

Beyond the headline rates, here is the complete, honest tax picture for a Portuguese company in 2026.

Corporate Income Tax (IRC)
Standard rate (mainland)19% for 2026 (down from 20%)
SME reduced rate15% on the first €50,000 of taxable income
Madeira (MIBC)5% on qualifying income for licensed, substance-backed companies
Municipal surtaxDerrama municipal — up to ~1.5% on taxable profit
State surtaxDerrama estadual on larger profits (tiered; most SMEs unaffected)
FilingModelo 22 annual return; payments on account
Other Taxes & Features
VAT (IVA)23% mainland, 22% Madeira, 16% Azores
Participation exemptionQualifying dividends & gains from holdings may be exempt (SGPS)
Dividend WHTApplies to non-residents; EU parent-subsidiary & treaties can reduce/eliminate
Tax treatiesA wide network (80+) of double-tax treaties
Personal (NHR → IFICI)NHR closed; IFICI (“NHR 2.0”) is narrower — a separate personal regime
Home-country taxDividends/profits may be taxable where you live too
💡
The honest takeaway: on the mainland, Portugal is a normal EU tax jurisdiction — competitive, not ultra-low. Its real advantages are EU access, the SME rate, the participation exemption and, for substance-backed businesses, Madeira’s 5%. Treat it as a credible EU base and a relocation platform, and use Madeira only where you can genuinely meet the conditions. CompanyVista helps you use Portugal for what it’s actually good at.
Banking — The Honest Reality

Banking for a
Portugal Company

Here is the honest reality most providers won’t tell you: for a non-resident without a local partner or physical presence, opening a traditional Portuguese bank account is often not realistic. The route that actually works is fintech partner platforms — a core part of how we handle Portugal company registration for non-residents.

What Actually Works — Fintech Partners
For non-residents with no local presence, the practical, proven route is international fintech and EMI platforms — Payoneer, Revolut Business and Wise. They onboard non-residents remotely, with no visit, provide multi-currency accounts with EUR, USD and GBP details, and let you receive and send international payments, pay suppliers and connect to Stripe and marketplaces. For most non-resident founders, this is how banking actually gets done — reliably and fast.
Traditional Portuguese Banks
A Portuguese bank account is possible, but banks require the company and officers to hold their Portuguese NIFs and usually expect local presence, a visit or genuine substance. It’s slower, subject to thorough KYC and never guaranteed, and is most realistic if you are relocating or have genuine local substance. CompanyVista helps pursue a traditional account where it’s viable — but we’ll always set up a working fintech option first, so you can operate from day one.
Get international payments from day one
Payoneer is the fastest route for non-residents — remote sign-up, multi-currency receiving accounts and global payouts, with no local presence required.
Open a Payoneer Account →
Visa & Immigration

Can a Portugal Company Lead to Residency?
Visa & Immigration Pathways

Here’s the honest answer many non-residents really want: a Portuguese company does not automatically grant residency — but Portugal has some of Europe’s most welcoming routes, and a company can genuinely support your case. These are the pathways founders use most.

🧑‍💼
Most Common for Founders
D2 Entrepreneur Visa
The route built for company owners. If you start or acquire a Portuguese company (typically an Lda) with a credible business plan and funds to match, the D2 leads to a residence visa that converts to a two-year permit, renewable. Job creation and genuine activity strengthen the case — and your company is the foundation of the application.
💻
For Remote Founders
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers and freelancers earning around €3,680 a month or more from outside Portugal. It pairs naturally with a company for founders billing international clients, and is one of Europe’s most popular routes for location-independent entrepreneurs.
🏛️
Investment / Passive Income
Golden Visa & D7
The Golden Visa offers residence through qualifying investment — now via funds or job creation, no longer real estate — while the D7 suits those with stable passive income such as dividends, pensions or rentals. Both are routes to Portuguese and EU residence alongside your company.
🛂
The honest part — and the long game: each route is a separate application with its own thresholds and documents; the company supports your case, it doesn’t replace it. You can reach permanent residence after five years of legal residence — and citizenship after a longer period under the 2026 reform (ten years for most nationals, seven for EU and CPLP citizens). CompanyVista and our immigration team plan the company and the visa together. Explore visa & immigration →
Portugal vs the Alternatives

How Portugal Compares
Against Other EU Options

Jurisdiction
Corporate Tax
EU Member?
Residency Route?
Best For
Portugal
19% (15% SME; 5% Madeira)
Yes
Yes (D7/D8/Golden Visa)
EU access, tech, relocation, Madeira
Cyprus
12.5% (2.5% IP Box)
Yes
Yes
Holding, IP, lower EU tax
Malta
~5% effective (via refund)
Yes
Yes
iGaming, holding, fintech
Estonia OÜ
0% retained; 22% on distribution
Yes
No (e-Residency only)
Remote/digital founders who reinvest

Portugal wins on lifestyle, EU access and relocation routes (and Madeira’s 5% with substance); Cyprus and Malta offer lower headline tax; Estonia is leaner for reinvesting founders. CompanyVista handles Portugal company registration and forms all of these alternatives too — and recommends the one that fits your goal.

Formation Process

Registering Your Portugal Company
Step by Step

1
Consultation & Structure
We confirm Portugal is right for you, decide between a mainland Lda, Unipessoal, Madeira or SGPS structure, and give you a fixed written quote — NIF, fiscal representation and accounting included.
2
NIF & Fiscal Representation
We obtain the Portuguese NIF tax numbers for the company and each shareholder and manager, and arrange a fiscal representative for non-EU members — the step that takes longest, so we start it first.
3
Name, Activity & Documents
We reserve your company name, map your activity to the right CAE code, and prepare the articles and a power of attorney so we can incorporate remotely on your behalf.
4
Incorporate the Lda
We incorporate through Empresa na Hora or the online registry — the incorporation step itself is fast once the NIFs and documents are ready — and you receive your NIPC company number.
5
Tax, VAT & Accountant
We register the company for IRC and VAT, appoint a certified accountant, and — where relevant — begin the Madeira International Business Centre licensing.
6
Open a Bank Account
We prepare your banking file and introduce you to Portuguese banks and EU EMIs; share capital is paid in within five days or deferred to year-end, as you prefer.
7
Ongoing Compliance & Residency
We keep your accounting, IRC, VAT and IES filings on track — and, if you’re relocating, coordinate a D7 or D8 residency application alongside the company.
Frequently Asked Questions

Portugal Company Registration
Questions Answered

Can a non-resident register a company in Portugal? +
Yes, without restriction on nationality or residence. A non-resident can fully own a Portuguese Lda, including as a sole shareholder via a Unipessoal Lda, with no local partner. You need at least one manager, a registered office, and a Portuguese NIF for the company and each shareholder and manager. Non-EU/EEA members must appoint a fiscal representative to obtain the NIF. The whole process is done remotely under a power of attorney, and CompanyVista manages it.
What is the corporate tax rate? +
Mainland IRC is 19% for 2026 (down from 20%), with a reduced 15% on the first €50,000 of profit for SMEs, plus municipal and state surtaxes on larger profits. Licensed companies in the Madeira International Business Centre pay 5% on qualifying income. VAT is 23% mainland, 22% Madeira and 16% Azores.
What is the Madeira 5% regime? +
The Madeira International Business Centre (MIBC) is an EU-approved regime offering a 5% IRC on qualifying income for licensed companies. It’s genuine but conditional: real substance, job creation and investment are required, the company must be licensed within the programme window, and benefits currently run to 2033. It’s not a letterbox arrangement, and CompanyVista assesses whether your business can realistically qualify.
What does it cost? +
The statutory minimum share capital is just €1 per quota, and same-day Empresa na Hora incorporation costs around €360 in state fees. Non-residents should also budget for the NIF and fiscal-representation service, a registered office, and ongoing accounting, which is effectively mandatory in Portugal. CompanyVista quotes the full all-in figure for your Portugal company registration in writing before any payment.
Is the NHR regime still available? +
No. The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime closed to new applicants, with a transition period, and has been replaced by the narrower IFICI regime (“NHR 2.0”), aimed at qualified professionals in research, innovation and certain high-value roles. If your plan relied on the old NHR benefits, the position has changed. NHR and IFICI are personal tax regimes, separate from company tax.
Do non-residents need a NIF and a fiscal representative? +
Yes to the NIF: the company and every shareholder and manager need a Portuguese NIF. A fiscal representative is required for members whose tax address is outside the EU/EEA, because the Tax Authority won’t issue a NIF without one; EU/EEA members are generally exempt. This step usually takes the longest, so CompanyVista starts it first.
How long does it take, and can I register remotely? +
Incorporation itself can be same-day via Empresa na Hora, but for non-residents the realistic timeline is about one to three weeks once the NIF and fiscal representation are arranged. The whole process is done remotely under a power of attorney, with no need to visit. CompanyVista handles the NIF, incorporation, tax registration and banking introductions.
Can a Portugal company help me get residency? +
A company doesn’t by itself grant residency, but it can support routes such as the D7 passive-income visa, the D8 digital-nomad visa, or the Golden Visa — which since 2023 no longer offers a real-estate route and focuses on funds, business and job creation. CompanyVista can coordinate the company and the residency application, but they’re distinct processes.
Can a Portugal company open a bank account remotely? +
A Portuguese company opens its own euro account, into which capital can be paid within five days of incorporation or deferred to year-end. Banking needs the company and officers’ NIFs and can be slower than elsewhere, so many founders use fintech/EMI accounts alongside a Portuguese bank. CompanyVista prepares your file and makes the introductions.
Do I need to visit Portugal to register? +
No. The company can be incorporated entirely remotely under a power of attorney granted to a local representative who signs on your behalf; you provide certified identity documents and NIF details. A visit is only occasionally helpful for certain bank account openings. CompanyVista handles the whole formation remotely and advises if any step benefits from a visit.
Consider Also

Similar & Alternative
Jurisdictions to Consider

If lower headline tax or a different setup matters more, one of these EU options may suit you better. CompanyVista forms all of them and quotes honestly across the options.

🇨🇾
Cyprus (Ltd)
EU member with 12.5% tax and a ~2.5% IP Box — lower headline tax for holding and IP
Cyprus Company Registration →
🇲🇹
Malta (Ltd)
A ~5% effective rate via the refund system — strong for iGaming, holding and fintech
Malta Company Registration →
🇪🇪
Estonia (OÜ)
0% on retained profit, fully remote via e-Residency — leaner for reinvesting digital founders
Estonia Company Registration →
View All Jurisdictions →
Company Registration — Portugal

Start Your Portugal Company
Free Written Quote in 4 Hours

A full EU, euro-zone company — 100% foreign-owned, formed remotely, with 19% IRC (15% for SMEs) and Madeira’s 5% regime for substance-backed business. We handle the NIF and fiscal representation, and we’re honest that mainland Portugal isn’t a tax haven and NHR has ended — if Cyprus, Malta or Estonia fits you better, we’ll say so before you spend anything.

Start Portugal Company → WhatsApp Us

Portugal Company Registration for Non-Residents
— Complete 2026 Guide

CompanyVista provides end-to-end Portugal company registration for non-resident founders — obtaining Portuguese NIF tax numbers and arranging fiscal representation, incorporating your Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) through Empresa na Hora or the online registry, providing a registered office, registering the company for IRC and VAT, appointing a certified accountant, and assisting with the corporate bank account and, where relevant, the Madeira 5% regime. Portugal places no restriction on the nationality or residence of owners, so a non-resident can fully own the company, including as a sole shareholder through a Unipessoal Lda, and complete the whole process remotely under a power of attorney. The minimum share capital is just €1 per quota, and the company needs at least one manager and a registered office in Portugal.

The honest picture on tax is important. Mainland Portugal is a normal EU tax jurisdiction, not a tax haven: corporate income tax (IRC) is 19% for 2026, down from 20%, with a reduced 15% rate on the first €50,000 of profit for small and medium companies, plus municipal and state surtaxes on larger profits, and VAT of 23%. The genuine low-tax option is the Madeira International Business Centre, an EU-approved regime offering a 5% IRC on qualifying income for licensed companies — but this is conditional on real substance, job creation and investment, must be licensed within the programme window, and runs to 2033, so it rewards genuinely international operations based in Madeira rather than letterbox entities. Two further points catch people out: the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) personal tax regime has closed to new entrants and been replaced by the much narrower IFICI, and non-EU members must obtain a Portuguese NIF and appoint a fiscal representative before anything else can proceed, which is the step that takes longest.

Portugal is an outstanding fit for tech and startups drawn to the Lisbon and Porto ecosystem, for digital nomads and remote founders who want to pair an EU company with the D8 visa, and for substance-backed international services, consulting, IP and holding businesses that can access Madeira’s 5% regime. It is a weaker fit for founders who simply want the lowest possible corporate tax with no local substance, or who were counting on the old NHR benefits — for whom Cyprus, Malta, Estonia or a UAE free zone may be better, and CompanyVista will say so. Portugal’s real strengths are EU and euro-zone market access, a competitive SME rate, the participation exemption for holding companies, an excellent quality of life, and a clear path to residency through the D7, D8 and Golden Visa routes — the last of which no longer offers a real-estate option.

After incorporation, a Portuguese company must keep certified accounting, file the Modelo 22 IRC return and VAT and IES declarations, maintain its NIFs and any fiscal representation, and — if using Madeira — meet the licence, substance and job-creation conditions each year. CompanyVista keeps all of this on track. As a brand of Koshika LLC with offices in Noida NCR, Albuquerque and Wyoming, we help founders worldwide register Portuguese companies remotely — start online at my.companyvista.com/start, or reach us on WhatsApp at +91 86309 28581 or by email at info@companyvista.com.

Portugal company registration · EU Lda · 19% IRC / 5% Madeira · Free written quote

Start Portugal Company →