How Foreign Companies Can Obtain a Portuguese Tax Identification Number
Portugal continues to attract international investors thanks to its stable business environment, access to the European market, and transparent legal system. However, before starting activities in the country, some foreign entities must complete specific administrative procedures.
One of these steps is registration in the Central Register of Legal Entities, known in Portuguese as the Ficheiro Central de Pessoas Coletivas (FCPC), managed by the IRN – Institute of Registries and Notary Services.
What is the Central Register of Legal Entities?
The FCPC is an official database that records the identification of legal entities operating in Portugal. This registration is essential for entities to obtain a Legal Entity Identification Number, known in Portuguese as NIPC, which is required for various legal and tax operations.
When does a foreign company need this registration?
Registration is necessary, for example, when:
A foreign entity is not subject to commercial registration in Portugal
The entity needs Portuguese legal identification
The entity intends to carry out legal, contractual, or administrative operations in the country
How to submit the request
The request can be submitted online through the official Portuguese government portal.
👉 Service available at:
Government of Portugal – Application for registration in the Central Register of Legal Entities
The process usually involves:
Completing the online form
Identifying the foreign entity
Submitting the company’s documents
Indicating the legal representatives
Paying the applicable fees
Documents usually required
Although requirements may vary depending on the case, the following documents are generally requested:
Certificate of existence of the company in its country of origin
Articles of association or corporate documents
Identification of the legal representatives
Certified translations, when required
Why is this registration important?
Registration in the FCPC allows the company to:
Obtain a Portuguese NIPC
Be formally identified before Portuguese authorities
Interact with public and private entities
For foreign investors intending to structure operations in Portugal, this step is often one of the first stages in the internationalisation process.
Who can submit the online registration request?
The online request for registration in the Central Register of Legal Entities (FCPC) can be submitted by different people, provided they have the necessary authentication methods.
Who can submit the online request
According to the official portal of the IRN – Institute of Registries and Notary Services, the request can be submitted by:
Any citizen who has:
Citizen Card, or
Digital Mobile Key, known in Portuguese as Chave Móvel Digital (CMD)
Legal professionals, namely:
Lawyers
Solicitors
Notaries
Provided they have a professional digital certificate for authentication.
What this means in practice
For foreign companies, the request is usually submitted by:
A lawyer or solicitor in Portugal, or
A representative who has Portuguese digital authentication, such as a Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key.
This happens because the system requires Portuguese electronic identification to submit the online form.
Practical tip for foreign investors
In most cases, international investors choose to have the request submitted by:
A lawyer
A solicitor
A legal consultant or accountant with the necessary powers
as these professionals already have a digital certificate and experience with the procedure.
Conclusion
Portugal offers a favourable environment for international investment, but complying with administrative requirements is essential to operate with legal certainty.
Registration in the Central Register of Legal Entities ensures that the foreign entity is properly identified in the Portuguese system and ready to carry out activities in the country.