In Portugal, the following are accepted forms of incorporation:
A public company (with the suffix S.A.)
- At least 5 shareholders are needed to set up the company. The shareholders may be individuals or companies.
- The minimum share capital is Euro 50,000.
- The owners of the company are only liable for the amount of capital invested.
- Companies of the above sort are popular for large business.
Private limited companies (with the suffix LDA)
- This is the most popular type of company for small companies. At least two shareholders are needed to form a company.
- The minimum share capital is Euro 5,000.
- The liability of the owners of the company is limited to the sum of capital invested.
A company with a single shareholder (with the suffix EIRL)
- The company is comprised of one single shareholder.
- Liability is only for the assets of the company and not that of the shareholder personally.
- An individual may open only one company of this sort in Portugal.
