Portugal: company formation
Sociedade por Quotas · Madeira regime · Europe
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
Lda in Portugal — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- Madeira regime subject to genuine employment and investment conditions.
- Normal European banking, no friction on B2B flows.
- Attractive living costs and setup costs if you relocate there.
What it does not solve
- The Madeira regime requires job creation: without it, the ordinary rate applies.
- Slow administration, real timelines often longer than advertised.
Conditions to meet
Source (30 September 2026): info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt (to be checked)
What the source says: Circular 2/2026 of the tax authority gives 14% in Madeira (11.2% on an SME's first €50,000) and 19% on the mainland in 2026; the page shows "≈ 14.7%".
Usual capital, no legal source cited: to be checked
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Good. Normal SEPA access, fintechs widely available.
The Madeira regime imposes job-creation and real investment conditions: without them, the ordinary rate applies.
Our assessment for Portugal; to be checked.
Office in Lisbon or Funchal, on quotation.
Our offer in Portugal, internal catalogue.
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 10 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
Portugal: what is specific to it
- Empresa na Hora: since 2005, a company is formed in a single visit to the counter, standard articles included. Source: justica.gov.pt
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Portugal compared with Estonia and Switzerland
| Portugal | Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | Lda | OÜ | Sàrl · SA |
| Corporate taxation | ≈ 14.7 % · Madeira regime subject to conditions | 0 % on reinvested profits, 22/78 on distribution | 11.9 to 21 % all taxes combined, by canton |
| Share capital | €2 | €2,500 | CHF 20,000 |
| Incorporation time | 10–14 days | 2–3 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Banking access | Accessible | Accessible | Accessible |
| Substance requirement | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | The address is enough | Real presence required |
| Our services | from 6,490 € | from 3,290 € | from 6,090 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Estonia → · The page for Switzerland →
Compare this jurisdiction
Registered office and premises in Portugal
From 999 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Drafting the articles
- Signature and capital deposit
- Registration
- Account opening and start-up
For Portugal, the usual time is 10–14 days.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: European company · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in Portugal: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Portugal?
Company formation in Portugal starts at 6,490 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in Portugal?
About 10–14 days once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
What is the corporate tax rate in Portugal?
≈ 14.7 % · Madeira regime subject to conditions (data as of 21 September 2026; source: info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt; to be checked). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in Portugal?
€2: usual capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in Portugal?
Madeira regime subject to genuine employment and investment conditions. Normal European banking, no friction on B2B flows. Attractive living costs and setup costs if you relocate there.
What are the drawbacks of a company in Portugal?
The Madeira regime requires job creation: without it, the ordinary rate applies. Slow administration, real timelines often longer than advertised.
Portugal or Estonia or Switzerland: where do our services start?
from 6,490 € in Portugal; from 3,290 € in Estonia; from 6,090 € in Switzerland, excluding tax.
Portugal or Estonia or Switzerland: how does corporate tax compare?
Portugal, ≈ 14.7 % · Madeira regime subject to conditions; Estonia, 0 % on reinvested profits, 22/78 on distribution; Switzerland, 11.9 to 21 % all taxes combined, by canton; to be checked.
Portugal or Estonia or Switzerland: which is faster to register?
Portugal in 10–14 days; Estonia in 2–3 weeks; Switzerland in 4–8 weeks, usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →