In short — as of July 2026: Registering a standard limited company through Empresa na Hora costs about €360 in state fees (or €220 with pre-approved bylaws), and share capital can legally be as little as €1 per shareholder. The larger recurring cost is your mandatory certified accountant, typically €60–€200+ per month. A realistic all-in first year for a small foreign-owned company usually lands somewhere around €2,000–€4,500, depending on your accountant, address and whether you use professional setup help.
Opening a company in Portugal is cheaper and faster than most people expect — the headline registration fee is modest, and a company can be incorporated in a single appointment. The figure that actually shapes your budget is not the one-off setup cost but the ongoing obligations that follow: a certified accountant, social security once you draw a salary, and a registered address. Here is the honest breakdown for 2026.
Company registration: around €360
The most common route is Empresa na Hora ("company in an hour"), where you incorporate in person with a pre-approved name and standard articles of association. The state fee is €360. If you accept a set of pre-approved bylaws, that drops to €220. Incorporating online through the Empresa Online portal is broadly similar in cost and lets you use customised articles, though it takes a couple of business days rather than the same day. This single fee covers your registration and your company tax number (NIPC, the company equivalent of a NIF).
Share capital: legally €1, realistically more
The minimum share capital for a Lda or Unipessoal Lda is nominal — €1 per shareholder — and it does not have to be deposited up front; it can be paid in by the end of the first financial year. In practice, most founders set a more credible figure of €1,000–€5,000, because banks, landlords and suppliers read very low capital as a warning sign, and you will want working funds anyway. This is your own money going into your own company, not a fee, but it belongs in your planning.
NIF and registered address
Every shareholder and director needs a personal NIF (Portuguese tax number) before incorporating. Getting one is inexpensive directly, but non-residents usually pay a fiscal representative a modest one-off fee to arrange it. You also need a registered company address in Portugal. If you have premises, that is covered; if not, a virtual office or registered-address service typically costs somewhere in the region of €150–€500 per year.
The certified accountant: your main recurring cost
Unlike a freelancer, a company must appoint a contabilista certificado (certified accountant) from day one — this is a legal requirement, not optional. They register your start of activity with Finanças, handle corporate tax (IRC) and VAT (IVA) filings, run payroll and keep the organised accounts the law demands. Fees are usually a monthly retainer (avença) and range widely by complexity: roughly €60 per month for a very simple micro-entity up to €500 per month for a busier SME. A small foreign-owned company with light activity often settles around €100–€200 per month, so budget €1,200–€2,400 for the first year.
Social security
Social security only bites once someone is actually paid. A remunerated gerente (managing director) is treated much like an employee: 11% is withheld from the individual and the company pays 23.75% on top. If you take no salary initially, contributions can be minimal, and newly self-employed activity generally enjoys a 12-month exemption at the start. Plan this with your accountant, because it scales directly with what you pay yourself.
A realistic first-year total
Putting it together for a small, straightforward company:
| Item | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Registration (Empresa na Hora) | €220–€360 |
| Share capital (your own funds) | €1–€5,000 |
| NIF / fiscal representation | €0–€200 |
| Registered address (annual) | €150–€500 |
| Certified accountant (12 months) | €1,200–€2,400 |
| All-in first year (excl. capital) | ~€2,000–€4,500 |
Add professional setup assistance, translations or a business bank account with extra due diligence, and the upper end rises. Costs, fees and tax rates change, so treat these as orientation and confirm current figures with the registry, Finanças or your accountant.
This article is general guidance, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Verify current fees and rules with the relevant authorities or a qualified professional before acting.
Frequently asked questions
No. That is the state registration fee. The recurring costs — chiefly a mandatory certified accountant, plus any registered address and social security once you draw a salary — matter far more to your budget over the year.
Yes. A company is legally required to have a certified accountant, unlike a sole trader on the simplified regime. Budget a monthly retainer.
Yes, and it can be done remotely with the right digital credentials or a power of attorney. Every shareholder and director needs a NIF first.
Sources
- https://portugal.gov.pt/en/gc25/communication/news/government-increases-minimum-wage-to-920-euros-in-2026
- https://www.tetraconsultants.com/blog/breaking-down-the-cost-of-company-registration-in-portugal-fees-taxes-and-hidden-charges/
- https://www.hvrbusinessconsulting.com/en/blog/quanto-custa-contabilista-portugal-2026
- https://www.jobbatical.com/services/portugal-social-security-registration-niss
- https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/tax-identification-number-in-portugal/
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