Do you need a tax representative to obtain the NIF?

For a non-resident from a non-EU country, a tax representative in Portugal is generally required to obtain the NIF. For an EU resident, the rules are more flexible, but local support still helps to move fast and avoid mistakes. We arrange this step for you, remotely.

Can you open the Portuguese bank account without coming to Portugal?

No, in practice a business account is opened in person, at the branch, during your visit to Portugal. We prepare the non-resident file beforehand and support you on the day with our banking partner so everything goes smoothly.

Are the service and support in French?

Yes. Support is delivered in French from end to end (and in English if needed). The terminology stays Portuguese (NIF, NIPC, Unipessoal Lda, IRC, IVA) because that is what counts in the procedures.

If I set up in Portugal but keep living in my country, am I compliant?

That is the real question, and it is settled not in Portugal but in your country of residence. Running a Portuguese company from home may expose you to reclassification (place of effective management, permanent establishment) or to controlled-foreign-company rules, depending on your country. We frame this honestly and connect you with a tax adviser if your case requires it. Better to settle it before setting up than after an audit.

From abroad · Visit required

Set up your company in Portugalfrom abroad, with no remote shell

Most of the entrepreneurs we support do not (yet) live in Portugal: they write to us from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg or the Maghreb. Preparation is done remotely, in French (NIF, project framing), but signing the articles and opening the bank account happen in person in Portugal: that is what makes a real setup, not a shell. Here is the common backbone, valid wherever you are, then the orientation specific to your country, because the real issue is not « how to set up in Portugal », it is « what happens to my situation in my country of residence ».

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75+ entrepreneurs supported since 2025 · Service in French · Lisbon, Portugal

The common backbone

What is prepared remotely, and what requires your presence

Part of the process is done remotely (NIF, project framing), but signing the articles and opening the bank account happen in person in Portugal. Plan, as a rule, for one trip to Lisbon, which we prepare so it is single and efficient. The steps below are the backbone of the process, whatever your country.

Obtain the NIF (remotely)

The NIF (individual Portuguese tax number) is the prerequisite for everything. A non-resident obtains it through a tax representative in Portugal, without travelling: it is the only fully remote step. Not to be confused with the NIPC, the future company's tax number, assigned at incorporation.

Frame the project by video call (remotely)

The choice of structure (ENI, Unipessoal Lda, Lda), business object and capital is framed during a video call, in French. This is also where we check consistency with your situation in your country of residence and prepare your trip.

Sign the articles (on site)

Signing the articles and incorporation (RCBE beneficial-owner declaration filed by our partner lawyer, Certidão Permanente within 24-48 h, Segurança Social registration) happen in person in Portugal, with Audrey. Accounting, once the company is created, is handled by a partner Contabilista Certificado.

Open the bank account (on site)

Opening a Portuguese business account is done in person, at the branch, during your visit. We prepare the non-resident file beforehand and support you at the opening with our banking partner.

Depending on your country

Where are you writing from?

The process is common, but the risk depends on your country of residence: that is where the essentials play out, not in Portugal (remaining taxable at home, controlled foreign company, place of effective management, exchange controls for the Maghreb). Each country page addresses this honestly.

France

Most frequent case

The real risk is not Portuguese but French: place of effective management, permanent establishment, controlled foreign companies. Our in-depth guide avoids reassessment.

Portuguese company from France

Belgium

EU · Cayman tax

The Belgium-Portugal treaty, the « Cayman tax » and Belgian tax residence: what changes if you remain a Belgian resident.

From Belgium

Switzerland

EFTA · effective management

The Swiss risk is not CFC but place of effective management: a Portuguese company run from Switzerland may become taxable there.

From Switzerland

Luxembourg

EU · CFC ATAD

Treaty, CFC ATAD rules and place of effective management: what a Luxembourg resident must anticipate.

From Luxembourg

Maghreb

Morocco · Tunisia · Algeria

Writing from Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria? The core issue is different: visa, exchange controls, currency transfer. We start with Morocco, which links to Tunisia and Algeria.

From the Maghreb

To go further

Useful pages before you start

Set up your company in Portugal

The concrete process: ENI, Unipessoal Lda, Lda, NIF/NIPC, capital, banking and support.

IFICI 2026: the targeted regime

Who can claim IFICI (formerly NHR), and who is excluded. Without overselling.

Where to set up? Portugal vs France, Spain, Dubai

The honest comparison: the right criterion is not the rate, it is where you live and run the activity.

Our free tools

IFICI eligibility test and employee-cost simulator: figures to work with, no commitment.

Frequently asked questions

Setting up from abroad: what people ask me

Can you really set up a company in Portugal without coming on site?: Not entirely. The NIF and project framing are done remotely, in French; but signing the articles and opening the bank account happen in person in Portugal. Plan, as a rule, for one trip to Lisbon, which we prepare so it is single. That is what sets a real setup apart from a mere remote shell.
Do you need a tax representative to obtain the NIF?: For a non-resident from a non-EU country, a tax representative in Portugal is generally required to obtain the NIF. For an EU resident, the rules are more flexible, but local support still helps to move fast and avoid mistakes. We arrange this step for you, remotely.
Can you open the Portuguese bank account without coming to Portugal?: No, in practice a business account is opened in person, at the branch, during your visit to Portugal. We prepare the non-resident file beforehand and support you on the day with our banking partner so everything goes smoothly.
Are the service and support in French?: Yes. Support is delivered in French from end to end (and in English if needed). The terminology stays Portuguese (NIF, NIPC, Unipessoal Lda, IRC, IVA) because that is what counts in the procedures.
If I set up in Portugal but keep living in my country, am I compliant?: That is the real question, and it is settled not in Portugal but in your country of residence. Running a Portuguese company from home may expose you to reclassification (place of effective management, permanent establishment) or to controlled-foreign-company rules, depending on your country. We frame this honestly and connect you with a tax adviser if your case requires it. Better to settle it before setting up than after an audit.

Disclaimer

This page is for general information only; it does not constitute personalised legal, accounting or tax advice. The terms (remote NIF, tax representative, on-site signing of the articles and bank-account opening) depend on your country of residence, your profile and the institutions involved, and may change. The question of your taxation in your country depends on complex rules assessed case by case. Business Portugal is a consultant in company formation and setup, not an accounting, tax or law firm: for any decision, have your situation validated by a competent professional. Book a meeting to frame your project.

Let's talk about your project, from where you are

A first free conversation, with no commitment, by video and in French, to frame your project, prepare your trip to Portugal and, above all, your situation in your country of residence. If a tax adviser is needed, we connect you with the right partner.

Book a free assessment

No commitment · By video · Service in French · Lisbon, Portugal