How to register a business in Portugal (2026)

In Portugal, the simplest start is as a trabalhador independente: a free online start-of-activity declaration on the Portal das Finanças, and no social contributions for the first 12 months. To protect your personal assets, set up a Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas (alone) or a Lda. (with partners) at Empresa na Hora or Empresa Online, from €220 (2026).

Checked on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with the official office before paying.

Where to register

gov.pt (ePortugal) – Iniciar o negócio / Empresa Online / Empresa na Hora

Which legal form to choose

Trabalhador independente / Empresário em nome individual

For whom	One person starting out alone (services with “recibos verdes”, trade or crafts), with no partner
Capital	No minimum
Liability	Unlimited: you answer for business debts with all your personal assets
Tax	IRS; regime simplificado if income ≤ €200,000/year, otherwise organised accounts; VAT-exempt if turnover ≤ €15,000/year (art. 53, 2026)

Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas (Unipessoal Lda.)

For whom	A single owner (person or company) who wants to separate personal and business assets
Capital	Freely set, minimum quota €1
Liability	Limited to the company's capital
Tax	IRC 19% in 2026; SMEs: 15% on the first €50,000 of taxable profit

Sociedade por Quotas (Lda.)

For whom	At least 2 partners; the most common company form for a small business
Capital	Freely set, minimum €1 per quota
Liability	Limited to the capital: partners do not answer for debts with their personal assets
Tax	IRC 19% in 2026; SMEs: 15% on the first €50,000 of taxable profit

The steps

Get your NIF (tax number); from outside the EU/EEA, first get a visa (D2) or a residence permit for self-employment.
Choose your activity code (CAE) and your status: trabalhador independente or company.
Self-employed: on the Portal das Finanças, “Início de Atividade”, file the declaration online, no later than your start day.
In the declaration, choose the regime simplificado and, if expected turnover stays ≤ €15,000, the VAT exemption (art. 53).
Company: pick a pre-approved name and a model pact, then set it up at an Empresa na Hora desk or on Empresa Online.
Deposit the capital in the company's account within 5 working days, or by the end of the first financial year.
Declare the beneficial owner (RCBE) within 30 days and appoint a contabilista certificado, or declare start of activity at Finanças within 15 days.
Take out workplace accident insurance (mandatory, even when self-employed) and apply for any licences your activity requires.
Invoice through the Portal das Finanças (recibos verdes) and file your quarterly declaration on Segurança Social Direta.

Documents

Cartão de Cidadão, or passport / residence permit
NIF (tax identification number)
Portal das Finanças access: password, Chave Móvel Digital or Cartão de Cidadão
CAE activity code
Estimated turnover for the year
IBAN of a bank account
Company: pre-approved name or name admissibility certificate
Company: articles of association (pre-approved model or drafted by the partners)
Empresa Online: Chave Móvel Digital or Cartão de Cidadão with digital signature activated
From outside the EU/EEA: visa or residence permit

How much it costs

Self-employed: start-of-activity declaration free online (€0.35 on paper). Company in 2026: Empresa na Hora €360; Empresa Online €220 with a pre-approved pact, €360 with a pact drafted by the partners. Optional linked trademark: extra fee. Also budget for workplace accident insurance and accountant's fees.

How long it takes

Self-employed: file the declaration no later than your start day; Segurança Social is notified automatically. Empresa na Hora: everything is done in a single visit to the desk. Empresa Online: registration in 5 days (pre-approved pact) or 10 days (own pact). Then: capital within 5 working days, RCBE within 30 days.

Taxes

Self-employed: progressive IRS; under the regime simplificado (income ≤ €200,000), only part is taxed: 75% for listed professions, 35% other services, 15% sales. Standard VAT 23% (mainland), exemption if turnover ≤ €15,000 (2026). Company: IRC 19% in 2026, 15% on the first €50,000 for an SME.

Social security

Self-employed: 21.4% (25.2% for an empresário em nome individual) on one third of relevant quarterly income (70% of services, 20% of sales), minimum €20/month. First activity: contributions only start from the 12th month. Quarterly declaration in January, April, July and October. Company managers: rate to be checked with the official office.

Support and funding

IEFP – Criação do Próprio Emprego (PAECPE) — People receiving unemployment benefit, aged 18+: benefit paid as a lump sum, MICROINVEST (up to €20,000) or INVEST+ credit, and free technical support
IAPMEI – Rede Nacional de Mentores — All entrepreneurs: matched with a mentor to develop your idea
Startup Portugal (One Stop Shop, Startup Visa) — Innovative projects and startups, including foreign founders: guidance, programmes, Startup Visa

Find a professional (official directories)

Watch out

Open your activity at Finanças before invoicing. Workplace accident insurance is mandatory, even when self-employed. As a sole trader, your personal assets back your debts. If turnover exceeds €15,000 by more than 25%, you lose the VAT exemption. From outside the EU/EEA, you need a visa or residence permit before starting.

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