Moving your business to Portugal: main types of companies

by | May 23, 2024 | 0 comments

When deciding to move a business abroad, it is important to understand the main differences in legal form in terms of minimum share capital and number of shareholders/partners and shareholder liability.

The main types of companies in Portugal are:

  •       Private limited liability companies (Lda.) with two or more partners;
  •       Single-member limited liability companies (Unipessoal, Lda.) held solely by one partner;
  •       Private limited liability companies by shares (S.A.), with a minimum of five shareholders.

The table below shows the main characteristics in terms of number of partners, minimum share capital and its form, liability of shareholders, management, and (comparative) advantages.

COMPANY LEGAL FORM PRIVATE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES SINGLE-MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES PRIVATE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES BY SHARES
Number of partners

2

(at least)

 1

5

(at least)
Minimum share capital (€) € 2 € 1 € 50,000
Capital form Shares Shares Shares
Liability of shareholders Limited to owned share* Limited to owned share* Limited to owned shares*
Management 1 or more General Managers 1 or more General Managers
  • Board of Directors, or Executive Board of Directors and General and Supervisory Board
  • Odd number of Directors
Advantages
  • Limited Liability
  • Control by 2 or more Partners
  • Minimum Share Capital of € 2
  • Limited Liability
  • Total control by a single Partner
  • Minimum Share Capital of € 1

 
  • Limited Liability
  • Control by the major Shareholders
  • Transfer of shares is easier
  • Additional capital and funding are easier

 

* Additional liability may apply under specific circumstances.

For further information or assistance with company incorporations and with the setup of subsidiaries and branches, please contact us at geral@sbpslegal.com.