We set up portuguese corporations, for national and foreign clients.

Portuguese Commercial Law allows the  following types of corporate status:

-          private limited liability companies – a company in which each partner has a share and  in which the liability of its members corresponds to the capital. They are recognizable by the expression “Lda” which must be a necessary part of its name. Minimal capital must be of  € 5.000 and they can be constituted by one partner only.

-          co-partnership – a company in which each partner responds individually for its participation as well as for the social obligations of the partnership, along with the others partners. They are recognizable by the expression “& Companhia” in its name.

-          company limited by shares -   In a company limited by shares, the capital is divided in shares and the liability of each partner is limited to the amount of shares that he or she subscribed to. They are recognizable by the expression “S.A” . Minimal capital is of € 50.000 and it must have at least 5 shareholders. Furthermore it can only be a single-member company in the free zone of Madeira.

-          limited partnership – In a limited partnership each partner is responsible only for his or hers own participation. The liability of its members is similar to the liability of the members in a co-partnership. It is possible to have a limited partnership and a limited partnership with share capital. They are recognizable by the expression “em Comandita” in their name.

Co-partnerships and limited partnerships are currently outdated. Private limited liability companies and Companies Limited by Shares are much more common.

The law also allows the creation of a Limited Liability Single Business Establishment that has the same special characteristics of a limited liability company yet it has only one partner.

The creation of a corporation, partnership or Limited Liability Single Business Establishment requires the previous acquisition of a business name or company name which is available from the National Register of Firms or Associations. Corporations or partnerships are created through a public document but Limited Liability Single Business Establishments may be founded via a private document.

There are no limitations to the participation of foreigners or foreign corporations in Portuguese partnerships or corporations.

The establishing of corporations in Portugal is done according to the client’s request and there is no need for the person to actually come to the country. 

Our Law Firm can also carry out the founding of corporations or partnerships in the free zone of Madeira which has a special tax system and is considered one of the best offshore zones in the world.

The founding of corporations or partnerships in other special tax systems zones can also be carried out by our services.