# How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Portugal? (2026)

> What it really costs to open a company in Portugal in 2026: ~€360 to register, plus accountant, share capital and address — realistic first-year totals.

- Source: https://www.growinportugal.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-company-in-portugal
- Publisher: GrowIN Portugal (https://www.growinportugal.com)
- Published: 2026-07-30
- Last reviewed: 2026-09-01
- Language: en

> **In short — as of September 2026:** Registering a standard limited company through *Empresa na Hora* (in person, same appointment) is a flat **€360** in state fees; registering through *Empresa Online* (remote) costs **€220** with the pre-approved model articles, or **€360** if you draw up your own — 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.

The state fees and the minimum-capital rule below are pulled live from our verified [company formation & corporate-law data](/data/company-formation):

- **Empresa na Hora (in person):** {{fact:incorp-empresa-na-hora}}
- **Empresa Online (remote):** {{fact:incorp-empresa-online}}
- **Minimum share capital:** {{fact:company-share-capital-minimum}}

## Company Registration: €220–€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. {{fact:incorp-empresa-na-hora}} Incorporating remotely through *Empresa Online* instead: {{fact:incorp-empresa-online}} It typically takes about one to two weeks rather than the same day, but doesn't depend on securing a scarce in-person appointment — see our [Empresa na Hora appointment-reality guide](/empresa-na-hora-appointment-reality/) for why the in-person route can actually take longer in practice. Either 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) with unemployment protection is treated much like an employee: {{fact:ss-moe-protected}} If you take no salary initially, contributions can be minimal. 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 €360 flat, or Empresa Online €220–€360) | €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.*

## FAQ

**Is €360 the only cost to open a company?** 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.

**Do I really need an accountant from day one?** Yes. A company is legally required to have a certified accountant, unlike a sole trader on the simplified regime. Budget a monthly retainer.

**Can a non-resident open a Portuguese company?** 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

- [GrowIN Portugal — verified company formation & corporate-law data](/data/company-formation)
- https://portugal.gov.pt/en/gc25/communication/news/government-increases-minimum-wage-to-920-euros-in-2026
- Accountant, registered-address and setup-service costs above are market-rate estimates, not government-set fees; confirm current quotes directly with providers.

> Want your company incorporated, accountant appointed and bank account opened without the guesswork? [Explore our services](/services/company-setup/) or [contact us](/contact/) — GrowIN Portugal sets up your Portuguese company end to end.

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© GrowIN Portugal. Cite as: GrowIN Portugal, "How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Portugal? (2026)", https://www.growinportugal.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-company-in-portugal