Whether you're moving or investing
We help English-speaking individuals and businesses get established in Portugal without the language barrier or the guesswork.
Moving to Portugal
Get your NIF sorted before you even land, plus help with your social security number and bank account. If you also need fiscal representation as a non-resident, that runs alongside as an annual service.
Investing in Portugal
Set up a Portuguese company (Lda) end to end, from name approval to tax registration and your beneficial-owner declaration.
What we actually do for you
Four pieces of paperwork stand between most people and a working life in Portugal. Here is what each one is, and what we do about it. Adler & Rochefort coordinates the process and is your single point of contact; the technical filings are carried out by an independent certified accountant.
Portuguese NIF (tax number)
The NIF is the number almost everything else depends on. You need it to open a bank account, sign a lease, buy property, set up utilities or register a company — which is why it is the first thing we deal with. You do not have to be living in Portugal, or to have visited, to get one: we apply on your behalf remotely, before you arrive.
We collect your documents, hand them to our partner accountant for the filing, and keep you posted until the number is issued. NIF applications are typically completed within a few business days once we have what we need; priority processing is available if your timeline is tighter than that.
If your move is driven by a residency visa, the health insurance proof your application needs can be arranged in parallel rather than afterwards — we do not need a NIF or a Portuguese bank account in place before we start. Ask us for a health insurance quote for your visa application at the same time as your NIF and the two run side by side.
Fiscal representation
A fiscal representative is the person who receives your correspondence from Finanças while you are a non-resident with a tax relationship in Portugal. It is not always compulsory — non-residents from outside the EU/EEA can either appoint a representative or subscribe to electronic notifications — and it is generally not required once you become a Portuguese tax resident.
Where you do want a representative, we provide it through our partner accountant as part of the Essential and Complete packages, or as a standalone service.
Full detail, including transfers from another representative, is on our fiscal representation page.
Company formation (Lda)
If you are investing rather than only moving, the Corporate package takes a Portuguese company from nothing to trading-ready. We coordinate the whole sequence and you deal with one person throughout:
- A NIF for each partner, with fiscal representation where a partner is non-resident.
- Company name approval (certidão de admissibilidade de firma).
- Incorporation of the company — Lda or sole-shareholder — and its NIPC.
- Declaration of commencement of activity with the Tax Authority.
- Registration of management with Social Security.
- Beneficial owner declaration (RCBE).
Portuguese bank account
Opening an account as a newcomer is rarely difficult in principle and often awkward in practice: it needs your NIF first, it usually needs a Portuguese address or proof of your address abroad, and the requirements differ between banks. We tell you what a given bank will ask for, help you assemble it, and stay involved until the account is open.
Bank account assistance is included in the Complete package for individuals, and in the Corporate package for the company account. Because the account depends on the NIF, it is sequenced after it rather than alongside it.
Choose the help you need
Clear, fixed pricing and a single point of contact. Tell us what you need and we'll take it from there — no obligation.
For individuals moving to Portugal who just need the essentials.
- Portuguese NIF application (remotely, before you arrive)
- Fiscal representation for as long as you are a non-resident for Portuguese tax purposes
- Single point of contact and full process tracking
- Checklist and guidance for your first steps (bank account, address)
Everything in Essential, plus a fuller settle-in.
- NIF + fiscal representation
- Social security number (NISS) application
- Assistance opening a Portuguese bank account
- Priority processing
- Extended guidance (utilities, rental contract)
End-to-end Portuguese company formation.
- NIF for each partner (with fiscal representation for non-residents)
- Company name approval (certidão de admissibilidade de firma)
- Incorporation of the company (Lda / sole-shareholder) with its NIPC
- Declaration of commencement of activity with the Tax Authority
- Registration of management with Social Security
- Beneficial owner declaration (RCBE)
- Assistance opening the company bank account
- Single point of contact throughout
Fiscal representation renews annually — the terms, in plain English
The Essential and Complete packages include fiscal representation, which is a recurring annual service rather than a one-off task. Before you buy, here is exactly what that means:
- The fee is €199 per year, VAT included.
- It renews annually on the anniversary of the appointment.
- You are notified in writing before each renewal.
- The service continues only while you are a non-resident for Portuguese tax purposes.
- You may cancel at any time before renewal, in writing, with no penalty — email insurance@adlerrochefort.com and we confirm in writing.
- Once you become tax resident in Portugal, please tell us and update your address on the Portal das Finanças. At that point representation is no longer required and the service ends.
- The first-year fee also covers the remote NIF application; renewal years cover representation only.
Full detail on the service, including transfers from another representative, is on our fiscal representation page, and the contractual terms are in our Terms & Conditions.
Adler & Rochefort acts as an intermediary and coordinator. NIF, fiscal representation, company formation and accounting are provided by an independent certified accountant, who is fully responsible for those services. We do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice.
Corporate is priced from €1,200 + VAT because the final fee depends on the structure — get in touch and we'll confirm your exact price, with no obligation.
Four simple steps
Choose your package
Tell us about you through a short, secure form.
We coordinate
With our certified accountant partner, who handles the official filings.
We keep you updated
As your single point of contact throughout the process.
You're set up
And we're right here for your insurance too.
Local, independent, English-speaking
- ✓English-speaking and not tied to a single insurer, based in Lagos, Algarve.
- ✓One point of contact for the whole process.
- ✓Backed by a certified accountant for the technical work.
- ✓Part of a wider service — health, home, and business insurance under one roof.
“Settling in a new country shouldn't mean deciphering forms in a language you're still learning. We take that off your plate — start to finish, in plain English.” Adler & Rochefort · Lagos, Algarve
Get in touch
Leave us your details and we'll get back to you — in plain English — to talk through your move, your options and the right package for you. No obligation.
Thank you
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. A NIF (Portuguese tax number) is needed to open a bank account, sign a lease, buy property or set up a company.
Yes. Non-residents can obtain a NIF remotely. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA appoint a fiscal representative in Portugal, which our partner accountant provides.
Sometimes, and not always — non-residents from outside the EU/EEA with a tax relationship in Portugal can either appoint a representative or subscribe to electronic notifications. It is generally not required once you become a Portuguese tax resident. We set out the choice, the price and the renewal terms on our fiscal representation page.
NIF applications are typically completed within a few business days once we have your documents; priority processing is available.
Our Corporate package handles the full process: name approval, incorporation and NIPC, tax registration, social security and the beneficial-owner declaration.
Yes, Portuguese companies must keep organised accounts with a certified accountant. That monthly accounting is contracted and paid directly to the accountant, not to Adler & Rochefort. You can change accountant whenever you wish.
No. We coordinate the process and act as your single point of contact; the regulated work is done by an independent certified accountant (see Important information below).
Yes — health, home and business insurance are our core business. See our insurance services.
Important information
Adler & Rochefort is the commercial brand of Ownizo, Unipessoal Lda., a registered insurance mediator (ASF reg. no. 425591790/3). The relocation and company services on this page are ancillary concierge services. The technical work — including NIF applications, fiscal representation, company incorporation and accounting — is carried out by an independent Certified Accountant (Contabilista Certificado) registered with the Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados. Full legal and professional responsibility for those services rests with that third-party provider.
Adler & Rochefort collects and forwards your information and coordinates the process only; it does not provide tax, accounting or legal advice and does not perform any acts reserved to certified professionals. For company clients, ongoing monthly accounting is contracted and billed directly by the certified accountant, and you are free to choose or change your accountant at any time.
Your data is processed in accordance with the GDPR — see our Privacy Policy. Purchasing any service on this page is never a condition of obtaining insurance from us, and vice versa. Our services are subject to our Terms & Conditions.
Ready for your soft landing?
Choose a package to get started, or talk to us first — we're happy to point you in the right direction, in plain English.
Already set up and need cover? Explore our expat insurance, health insurance and business insurance services.