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How to register a Business in Portugal as a non-resident

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Starting a business in Portugal is a smart move. But for non-residents, navigating legal requirements and bureaucracy can be a challenge. This guide breaks it down into clear, manageable steps, so you know exactly what to do and what to expect.

With Rauva, the process becomes fully remote and far more efficient. From legal support to business tools, everything is taken care of in one platform.

Can any non-resident open a Business in Portugal?

Yes, any nationality can open a company in Portugal, as long as they provide the required documentation. There's no restriction based on nationality for company creation.

However, if you're a non-EU/EEA national, you’ll need to have a valid Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a legal representative in Portugal to proceed.

What’s important to note is that opening a business account with Rauva is currently available to Portuguese residents and EEA nationals. Non-EEA nationals must hold a valid residence permit (cartão de residente) in Portugal to be eligible.

If you're not sure where you stand, Rauva’s legal partners can assess your situation and guide you through the process before you begin your registration.

Step 1: Choose the right business structure

Your first step is selecting the appropriate legal entity. In Portugal, the most common formats are:

• Sole Trader (Empresário em Nome Individual): Best for individuals operating alone, fully responsible for the business.
• Single-Member Private Limited Company (Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas – Lda): A limited company that can be formed by one person.
• Private Limited Company (Sociedade por Quotas – Lda): Requires at least two partners. This format allows multiple people to be part of the company’s legal structure, with rights to participate in decision-making and receive dividends. It’s a good fit for growing businesses or those involving co-founders or investors.

Not sure which one’s right for you? Our legal partners can help assess your specific case and guide you through the setup process.

Step 2: Choose and register your Company Name

The next step is selecting and securing your company name with Portugal’s Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN). You have three options:

• Custom Name: Submit up to six name options. The fee is €75 and approval typically takes 2–3 weeks.
• Fast-Track Custom Name: For €150, you can get a 24-hour response.
• Pre-Approved Name: Select a name from the IRN’s list for a quicker, more cost-effective option.
• Personal Name: You can also register using your legal name and surname or a combination of the names/surnames of the stakeholders

Once approved, you’ll receive the Certificate of Admissibility, confirming your name is ready for registration. Rauva can assist you with all your doubts. 

For more information, check our blog article here: https://rauva.com/blog/differece-between-trademark-company-legal-name 

Step 3: Draft the articles of Association

This legal document outlines how your company is structured and governed, including ownership shares, shareholder roles, and capital contributions.

It’s a technical requirement, but with Rauva’s legal support, the drafting and submission process is handled with you to ensure full compliance.

Step 4: Register Your Company

With your company name and Articles of Association ready, it’s time to register the business officially. You can do this:

• In-person at a commercial registry office, or
• Online through platforms that require a digital mobile key and complete documentation

Alternatively, Rauva takes care of the full registration process fully online and remotely through legal partners, no in-person visits required.

Step 5: Meet post-registration obligations

After your company is registered, a few more essential steps are required:

Once your company is officially registered, there are a few more key steps you’ll need to complete before your business can start operating fully:

Register with Social Security
You and any employees must be registered with the Portuguese Social Security system. If you're a sole trader, you must register as a self-employed worker. If you're a company director, you'll also need a Portuguese Social Security Number (NISS) — this is required to complete your setup.

Open a Business Account
A dedicated business account is mandatory in Portugal and must be used exclusively for business transactions. Rauva offers a fully digital account, with physical and virtual cards and smart integrations that simplify financial management from day one.

Register with the Tax Authority
After your company is registered with the Portuguese Commercial Registry, you’ll be assigned a Corporate Tax Identification Number (NIPC). With this number, you can then register with the Autoridade Tributária (AT) to activate your business for tax purposes — including VAT and Corporate Income Tax (IRC). This step is essential to be able to issue invoices.

Submit RCBE and Prepare the Livro de Atas
You’ll also need to complete two required documents: the RCBE (Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo) — a declaration of the company’s beneficial owners — and the Livro de Atas, the official record of company decisions. These are legal obligations for any company operating in Portugal — and the good news? Rauva takes care of this for you.

Hire a Certified Accountant

In Portugal, it’s legally mandatory for every company to appoint a certified accountant, and to do so within 15 days of registering your business.

Without a certified accountant:

• Your company cannot issue invoices
• You risk fines and delays in activating your business with the Tax Authority
• You may fall out of compliance with tax reporting obligations

With Rauva, you don’t have to search on your own. We connect you directly with a certified accountant through the platform, so you can start invoicing and stay compliant from day one.

What are the required documents to open your business in Portugal?

To register your company, you’ll need:

• Certificate of Admissibility (for company name)
• Identification Documents (Citizen Card or Passport, plus NIF)
• Articles of Association (for Lda companies)

What are the ongoing costs of Running a Business?

Here’s what you need to budget for, based on the 2025 state budget:

• Certified Accountant: €100–€300/month
• Certified Invoicing Software: €7–€30/month (or free with for Rauva)
• Business Account: Required for all businesses and has variable costs around 10€
• Registration Fees: €200–€360 (one-time)
• Legal Setup Fees: Up to €1,000 (one-time) - or get it this part for free with Rauva
• Minimum Share Capital: From €1 per shareholder (though a higher amount is often advisable)

Taxes and Contributions

• Corporate Tax (IRC): The standard rate is 20%, but for most small businesses, the first €50,000 of profit is taxed at a reduced rate of 16%
• VAT (IVA): 23% standard rate
• Municipal Surtax: Up to 1.5%, depending on location
• State and Regional Surtaxes: Varies by region and profit

Social Security: €181.57/month minimum or 34.75% of a declared salary

Why Choose Rauva?

Rauva is a full-service platform designed to support entrepreneurs through every step of starting and running a business in Portugal. Built by founders who understand the real challenges of setting up a company — especially as a non-resident — Rauva makes the process simple, fast, and fully remote.

Whether you're launching your first company or expanding to Portugal, Rauva gives you the structure and support you need to get started with confidence.

What Rauva Offers:

Company Formation (100% Online)
Rauva takes care of the entire registration process through trusted legal partners. Everything is handled remotely — from name approval to document submission — so you don’t need to be physically present in Portugal to get your business up and running.

Legal and Bureaucratic Support
Our legal partners manage all formalities, including the Certificate of Admissibility, Articles of Association, Beneficial Owner Register (RCBE), and Minute Books. We ensure full compliance with Portuguese regulations from day one.

Business Account
Rauva provides a dedicated business account with both virtual and physical cards. It’s designed for entrepreneurs and offers features like easy expense tracking, transaction categorization, and seamless integration with other financial tools.

Certified Invoicing Software
Every business in Portugal is required to use certified invoicing tools. Rauva includes this in its platform — compliant with Portuguese tax laws, user-friendly, and integrated with your business account and accountant.

Access to a Certified Accountant
All companies in Portugal are legally required to have a certified accountant. Rauva connects you with a qualified professional who understands your business structure and is integrated directly into your account. You don’t need to search, compare, or manage separate service providers.

One Central Platform
With Rauva, you get a single dashboard where you can manage legal documentation, financials, invoicing, tax submissions, and communication with your accountant — all in one place. It’s a streamlined experience designed to save time and reduce complexity.

Rauva was built to simplify entrepreneurship in Portugal.
Our platform brings together everything you need to start and operate your business legally, efficiently, and remotely — especially if you’re setting up from abroad.

Start your company the right way, with the right tools and the right support.

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