Setting Up a Company in Portugal for Israelis: Lda or SA, Registration through Empresa na Hora, Documents from Israel, Bank and Ongoing Obligations

Portugal attracts Israeli entrepreneurs thanks to access to the European market, a relatively fast company registration system and a corporate tax rate that is gradually coming down. This guide explains which form of incorporation suits an Israeli owner, how registration works in practice, which documents to prepare in Israel, and what the company's obligations are from day one. It is written for business owners and entrepreneurs, not only for real estate investors.

1Which company form suits an Israeli opening a business in Portugal?

In most cases, a limited liability company (sociedade por quotas, Lda) or a single-owner limited liability company (sociedade unipessoal por quotas, Unipessoal Lda). A public limited company (sociedade anónima, SA) is mainly suited to a large activity, to raising capital widely or to a particular regulatory requirement, and it requires higher minimum capital.

Capital in an Lda has been set freely since the 2011 reform (Decreto-Lei 33/2011), so a company can be opened with token capital. However, capital that is too low may make it harder to open a bank account, obtain credit and sign with suppliers, so it is advisable to set capital that matches the planned scale of activity. On the option of operating through a branch rather than a subsidiary, see also our guide on the taxation of an Israeli investor in a foreign project company.

2What are the two ways to register a company in Portugal?

There are two main routes of the registry authority (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado, IRN): the Empresa na Hora desk, where the company is created on the spot in the presence of all partners, and the Empresa Online platform, where the process is done over the internet. For an Israeli owner who is not in Portugal, the online route through a Portuguese lawyer is usually the more practical one.

Regarding Empresa Online: the official service page we checked does not specify the fee. Secondary sources state 220 euros with pre-approved articles and 360 euros with customised articles. Before filing, it is worth checking the current fee with the IRN.

3What are the steps for opening an Lda in Portugal?

Opening an Lda takes nine steps, from obtaining a NIF to appointing an accountant. According to the IRN (Justiça) website, as of November 2026, after registration the capital must be deposited within 5 business days, the beneficial owner declared within 30 days, and a certified accountant appointed or a declaration of commencement of activity filed within 15 days.

1. Obtaining a NIF for each partner and manager: a Portuguese tax number is required for each individual partner. It can be obtained from Israel through an attorney-in-fact.
2. Choosing a name: choosing a name from the pool of pre-approved names (Bolsa de Firmas e Denominações), or applying for approval of a new name. On the online route the name is reserved for 24 hours until the payment stage, and for 48 hours after a payment method is chosen.
3. Preparing the articles (pacto social): partners, division of capital, the company's objects, managers and their powers, and rules on transferring shares. In a partnership of several entrepreneurs it is worth adding a separate founders' agreement.
4. Preparing documents from Israel: passports, and for a partner that is an Israeli company also a certificate of incorporation, an up-to-date company extract and an authorising resolution, with an apostille and a Portuguese translation as needed.
5. Filing: at the Empresa na Hora desk in the presence of all partners, or online through a lawyer or solicitador with a digital certificate.
6. Receiving the company documents: the articles, an access code to the permanent commercial registration certificate (certidão permanente), a code for the company card, and the company's Portuguese social security number.
7. Depositing the capital: in the company's bank account within 5 working days, unless the capital has already been deposited or the partners declared that they will deliver it to the company's funds by the end of the first financial year.
8. Declaring the beneficial owner: in the central register of beneficial owners (Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo, RCBE) within 30 days of incorporation.
9. Accountant and commencement of activity: appointing a certified accountant (contabilista certificado), or filing a declaration of commencement of activity with the tax authority within 15 days of incorporation.

4Which documents from Israel need to be prepared?

An Israeli public document filed in Portugal needs an apostille under the Hague Convention, and a Portuguese translation when the document is not in Portuguese. Exactly which documents are needed depends on who the partner is: an individual or an Israeli company.

• An individual partner: a valid passport, a Portuguese NIF and a residential address. Sometimes the bank will also want proof of address and proof of the source of funds.
• A partner that is an Israeli company: a certificate of incorporation, an up-to-date extract from the Israeli Companies Registrar, a board resolution approving the incorporation and appointing signatories, and identity documents of the signatories.
• Power of attorney: when acting through a lawyer in Portugal, a power of attorney signed before an Israeli notary with an apostille and translation, or at the Portuguese consulate.
• Beneficial owner information: details of every person who holds or controls the company, including through layers of companies. The same information will also be used by the bank in its customer checks.

It is worth checking in advance with the bank and the lawyer in Portugal the accepted age of documents, for example a company extract issued in recent months. On the customer due diligence process and source of funds, see opening a file and customer checks.

5Can you open a company in Portugal without going there?

Usually yes, through the online route and a Portuguese lawyer acting under a power of attorney. The Empresa na Hora desk requires all partners to be present, so it is mainly suited to those who are in Portugal anyway. The stage at which it is sometimes harder to avoid being present is opening the bank account, depending on the bank's policy.

6How much does it cost and how long does it take to open a company in Portugal?

According to the IRN (Justiça) website, as of November 2026, registration at the Empresa na Hora desk costs 360 euros for a standard application and the company is created on the spot. On the online route, registration takes 5 or 10 days from review, depending on the type of articles (gov.pt). If the capital is contributed in assets rather than cash, a registration fee is added for each asset. Beyond the fees there are costs of translations, apostilles, a lawyer and an accountant, and these vary by provider and scope.

7How do you open a bank account for an Israeli-owned Portuguese company?

The account is opened with a Portuguese bank after the company is registered, and involves a full customer due diligence review. The bank will carry out a know-your-customer (KYC) check on the company, the managers and the beneficial owners, and will usually ask for the company documents, the registration certificate, the RCBE declaration, details of the expected activity and the source of funds for the capital. An Israeli owner should prepare in advance a written explanation of the business model, customers and suppliers, and of the source of the money to be transferred from Israel. The bank may ask for personal attendance or a video call, according to its policy.

Bear in mind that the Israeli bank transferring the money may also ask for documents. See our guide on delayed transfers abroad and source of funds.

8What needs to be done immediately after registration?

Right after registration there are three fixed deadlines, according to the IRN (Justiça) website, as of November 2026: depositing the capital within 5 business days, appointing a certified accountant or filing a declaration of commencement of activity within 15 days, and the RCBE declaration within 30 days.

• Capital: deposit in the company's account within 5 working days, if not deposited earlier.
• RCBE: declaration of the beneficial owner within 30 days.
• Tax authority: appointment of a certified accountant or filing of a declaration of commencement of activity within 15 days. The declaration also sets the company's VAT regime.
• VAT: the standard rate in mainland Portugal is 23%, with reduced rates of 13% and 6%. In Madeira 22%, 12% and 4%, and in the Azores 16%, 9% and 4%.
• Employees: registration as an employer with social security, and mandatory workplace accident insurance. The company's social security number is already issued on incorporation at the desk.

9Which annual filings apply to a Portuguese company?

The annual corporate tax return (Modelo 22) is filed by the last day of May and three advance payments are made during the year, according to PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries, as of November 2026. Alongside this, the IES return and VAT returns are filed.

10How is a Portuguese company taxed in 2026?

The corporate tax rate in mainland Portugal for tax periods beginning in 2026 is 19%, and it is due to fall to 18% in 2027 and to 17% from 2028, under Law 64/2025. A small or medium-sized company meeting the conditions pays 15% on the first 50,000 euros of profit. On top of that there may be a municipal surcharge (derrama municipal) of up to 1.5%, and a state surcharge (derrama estadual) on profit above 1.5 million euros.

11What are the obligations in Israel of someone who holds a company in Portugal?

An Israeli resident, whether an individual or a company, must report a holding in a foreign company, and among other things may be required to file Form 150 (declaration of a holding in a foreign resident body of persons). A dividend from the Portuguese company is also taxed in Israel, with a credit for the tax withheld in Portugal under the tax treaty between the countries. Details in the Israeli side of activity abroad and in Israel's tax treaties.

12What should you check before opening?

Before opening, check whether a Portuguese company is needed at all, who will manage it and from where, and how profits will be distributed. The main points:

• Whether the business needs a company in Portugal at all, or whether it can sell to Portuguese customers directly from the Israeli company. See the distinction between a subsidiary, a branch and direct activity.
• Whether the activity requires a licence or professional registration before starting to operate.
• Who will manage the company and from where, because of the residence risk in Israel.
• How profits will be distributed and what the total tax is in Portugal and in Israel.
• In a partnership: a founders' agreement governing voting, exit and a dispute mechanism. See founders' agreement.

This guide is general information as of November 2026 and is not legal or tax advice, and every case is examined on its merits with a lawyer and an accountant in Portugal and in Israel.

More on doing business in Portugal: Corporate tax and transferring profits to Israel from Portugal · An Israeli company operating in Portugal · Commercial disputes and litigation in Portugal · Comparison of 8 countries · All guides for companies and businesses

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