Business Consulting · Portugal

Build your company in Portugal without the guesswork.

From incorporation to your first tax return, Residency Portugal is the single point of contact for entrepreneurs, freelancers and investors setting up and running a business here — in English, without the runaround.

Company formation, remotely or in personLDA
Bank account opening for your new companyPT
Ongoing accounting, tax and payroll supportOCC
Freelancer and TVDE activity registrationNIF
Why this page exists

One consultancy for the whole business journey.

Most people who come to us for a visa or residency also need to open, register, or grow a business in Portugal — and end up juggling a lawyer, an accountant, a bank, and a translator who don't talk to each other.

We coordinate that process for you: company structuring, bank accounts, accounting and tax, licensing, and the paperwork behind every stage of running a business in Portugal, using our network of certified accountants, notaries and legal partners.

Residency Portugal is not a bank, accountant, or law firm ourselves — we act as your project manager and translator between you and the professionals who are, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Company Structure & Setup

01 — Foundations

Incorporating a New Company

End-to-end formation of your Portuguese company, from choosing the right legal structure to registration with the commercial registry and tax authority.

  • Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA or SA structuring
  • Company name reservation & articles of association
  • Commercial registry & tax office registration
  • Branch or subsidiary of a foreign company
Remote or in-person

Change or Amendment in the Company

Updates to an existing company handled correctly and registered on time, so your corporate record stays clean.

  • Registered office & corporate address changes
  • Management, partners or shareholding changes
  • Share capital increases and corporate purpose updates
  • Company dissolution & deregistration
Registry filings included

Independent Professional Activity

Registering as a self-employed professional ("trabalhador independente") in Portugal — the freelance route for consultants, creatives and service providers.

  • Opening of activity ("abertura de atividade") at Finanças
  • CAE / activity code selection
  • Social security enrolment
  • Invoicing setup (Recibos Verdes / e-invoicing)
Ideal for D2 & freelance visas

Banking, Accounting & Tax

02 — Running the Numbers

Opening a Company Bank Account

We prepare your file and introduce you to banks that work with non-resident directors, so account opening doesn't stall your launch.

  • Bank comparison for your company profile
  • Share capital deposit coordination
  • Document preparation & translation
  • Support for remote / non-resident directors
Required before registry filing

Accounting & Tax Services

A certified accountant (Contabilista Certificado) manages your books and filings all year, so you stay compliant without learning Portuguese tax law.

  • Monthly bookkeeping & VAT returns
  • Corporate income tax (IRC) filings
  • Payroll processing & social security
  • Annual accounts (IES) & audit support
OCC-certified partners

Market Research & Feasibility Reports

Before you commit capital, know whether your business model works in the Portuguese market — with data, not guesswork.

  • Market sizing & competitor analysis
  • Regulatory & licensing feasibility
  • Financial projections for visa & investor files
  • Location & sector viability studies
Supports D2 business plans

Investment & Growth

03 — Putting Capital to Work

Investment Opportunities for Companies

We connect established and new companies with vetted investment routes in Portugal, matched to your sector and risk profile.

  • Access to pre-screened investment opportunities
  • Local partner & joint-venture introductions
  • Funding & incentive scheme guidance
  • Structuring for Golden Visa-eligible investment
Sector-matched introductions

Real Estate Investment

From sourcing a commercial premises to buying property as a corporate or personal investment, we guide you through the Portuguese process.

  • Property search & due diligence support
  • Notary, deed (escritura) & registry coordination
  • Commercial premises for your operating business
  • Rental yield & investment property guidance
Personal or corporate purchase

TVDE Fleet Setup

Full support for launching a ride-hailing (TVDE) operation in Portugal, whether you'll drive yourself or run a fleet of drivers.

  • TVDE operator & driver certification (IMT)
  • Company registration for your fleet
  • Vehicle licensing & platform onboarding
  • Fleet accounting, tax & driver payroll
Uber & Bolt-ready

Digital & Office Presence

04 — Looking Operational

Virtual Office

A registered business address in Portugal for your company's official filings and mail, without the cost of leasing premises you don't need yet.

  • Registered office address for incorporation
  • Mail receiving & forwarding
  • Meeting room access on request
  • Fiscal representative support
Required for registered office

Domain Registration

Securing the right .pt or international domain for your new business, set up correctly from day one.

  • .pt / .com domain search & registration
  • DNS & business email configuration
  • Domain renewal management
  • Trademark-aware name checks
Aligned to your company name

Landing Page & Website Development

A professional landing page or website so your business looks credible and operational from launch, for clients, banks and licensing bodies alike.

  • One-page landing site or full business website
  • Mobile-friendly, bilingual (EN/PT) build
  • Contact forms & booking integration
  • Hosting & ongoing maintenance options
Launch-ready in days
How We Work

Five steps from idea to operating company.

01

Consultation

We map your goals, timeline and the right legal structure for your situation.

02

Documentation

We prepare and translate everything needed — NIF, articles of association, ID.

03

Registration

Company formation, bank account and licensing are filed and coordinated.

04

Compliance

Accounting, tax and social security are set up correctly from day one.

05

Ongoing Support

Monthly bookkeeping, filings and advice as your company grows.

Why Residency Portugal

Built for people starting from outside Portugal.

One point of contact

We coordinate lawyers, accountants, notaries and banks so you don't have to manage five relationships at once.

English-speaking, remote-friendly

Most of the process can be handled remotely with power of attorney, ideal for founders not yet living in Portugal.

Immigration-aware

We know how your company setup connects to your D2, Golden Visa or freelance residency file — because we handle both.

Questions

Common questions on setting up a business here.

Can I open a company in Portugal without living here?

Yes. Non-residents can incorporate and own a Portuguese company. Most of the process — name reservation, articles of association, and registry filing — can be done remotely with a power of attorney; only the bank account and a handful of steps may require your presence or a video appointment, depending on the bank.

What's the difference between opening a company and registering as independent professional?

Independent activity (freelance) suits solo consultants and service providers with lower setup and accounting costs. A company (LDA) suits businesses with partners, higher revenue, liability protection needs, or plans to hire staff. We help you choose based on your activity and the visa route you're pursuing.

Do I need a Portuguese company to apply for the D2 visa?

You need a viable business plan and, in most cases, either an incorporated company or registered independent activity in Portugal — this is exactly where our incorporation and feasibility report services plug directly into your D2 application.

How long does company incorporation typically take?

Once documents and NIF numbers are in place, registration itself can move quickly; the overall timeline depends more on bank account opening and any activity-specific licensing (such as TVDE). We give you a realistic timeline during your consultation.

Get Started

Tell us what you're building — we'll map the fastest legal route to it.

Book a consultation and we'll tell you which structure, licenses and accounts you actually need, before you pay for any of them.

Email info@residency.pt
Phone+351 911 012 444
Emailinfo@residency.pt
OfficeLisbon, Portugal
HoursMon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 WET
Residency Portugal is not a bank, accountant, tax advisor, investment advisor, or law firm. We act as an intermediary, coordinating and connecting you with licensed financial, accounting and legal professionals. For advice specific to your situation, please consult directly with a qualified attorney, accountant or financial expert.