What does it cost to start a company in Portugal?
The cost of starting and running a company depends on the type of structure (sole trader, single-member company, Lda or SA), the activity, the expected volume and the support you need. We do not publish fixed prices, because every case differs: we tell you what applies to yours and give you a tailored proposal.
What the cost depends on
There is no single figure for starting a company. The cost depends, in general, on several factors, and each case combines them differently:
Type of structure: sole trader (ENI), single-member private limited company (sociedade unipessoal por quotas), private limited company (Lda) or public limited company (SA). Each has different formalities.
Activity: some activities have their own requirements or licences.
Expected volume: what you expect to invoice influences the tax regime and the accounting you need.
Support you need: for example, whether you want accounting handled by a qualified professional.
Special requirements: for example several partners, foreign partners or rules of your own between partners.
The different types of costs
When thinking about costs, it helps to separate them by nature. In general, four are distinguished:
One-off setup costs: what is paid once to get started, tied to the steps of starting activity or setting up the company.
Official charges: amounts collected by public bodies for certain acts. We do not state them here, because they change over time and depend on the case.
Professional fees: what is paid to whoever provides a service, for example a qualified professional who performs acts reserved to them.
Recurring costs: what is paid on an ongoing basis to keep the company running, such as accounting.
Understanding which of these groups each item falls into is the first step to comparing quotes clearly.
Why we do not publish a fixed price
Every case is different, and a generic figure might not match yours. Nor do we publish a fixed monthly or annual fee that is the same for everyone.
Instead, we listen to your case and give you a suitable proposal. As a rule, the proposal shows what is included, what depends on third parties and what is recurring.
What to ask any provider
Whether with us or with another provider, these questions help you compare quotes on equal terms:
- What is included in the amount quoted, and what is not?
- What is billed separately, for example charges from public bodies or third-party services?
- What is a one-off cost and what is recurring?
- How is the service cancelled and renewed, and what happens in those situations?
- Who performs each act, and is any done by a qualified professional with their own fee?
- What information and documents are needed from you?
How we handle the topic of costs
We tell you what we do and what we do not do
We guide and refer. This page is explanatory: it is not legal or tax advice.
What is reserved stays with whoever may perform it
Acts reserved to qualified professionals are handled by those with that competence and, as a rule, the proposal says so.
A proposal you can compare
As a rule, we explain what it includes, what is separate and what is recurring, so you can compare it with other options.
Your data is handled with care
We use the data you give us to reply to your request. Additional consents are separate and optional; only the contact is needed for us to reply to you.
What happens after you contact us
In general terms, the sequence is:
- You tell us your case: the structure you are considering, the activity and the support you need.
- We get in touch with you.
- You receive guidance and a proposal suited to your case, where, as a rule, we show what it includes, what is separate and what is recurring.
What influences the quote
The type of company (sole trader, single-member, Lda or SA)
The activity you will carry out
The expected volume of business
The accounting support you need
Special requirements of your case
Whether you have one or several partners