Setting Up a Company

Types of Companies and Capital (Max/Min)	Number of Partners/Shareholders and Liability
The "sociedade por quotas de responsabilidade limitada (Lda)" is a limited liability company. 5,000 EUR minimum, entirely taken up, with the obligation to release at least 50%.	2 partners minimum, just one in the case of an individual businessman. Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
The "sociedade anonima de responsabilidade limidada (SA)" is a public limited company. 50,000 EUR minimum, entirely taken up, with the obligation to release at least 30%.	5 partners minimum; they may be foreigners and non-residents. Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
The "sociedade em nome colectivo" is a general partnership. No minimum capital.	2 partners minimum Liability is joint and indefinite regarding third parties.
The "sociedade em comandita" is a limited joint-stock partnership. No minimum capital.	2 partners minimum, with active partners and silent partners. Liability is indefinite for active partners, and limited to the amount of capital contributed for silent partners.

Source: Doing Business.

Business Setup Procedures: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Portugal.
Trade Register, in Portuguese.

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration: 39 hours
Retirement Age: 65
Working Contracts: The work contract is governed by legal provisions and to a lesser extent by collective agreements and individual negotiation.
The formality of the work contract, and hiring and firing conditions are extremely rigid.

Minimum Wage: 365.60 EUR
Average Wage: Average monthly gross earnings in Portugal is 1,088 EUR.
Social contributions: Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 23.75 %
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 11%

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners: There are 2 major Union confederations. The CGTP (very close to the Communist Party) which always very critical of and eager to challenge government measures, and the UGT (close to the Socialist Party and the Social-Democrats), a more moderate group, although it criticizes, but often manages to come to a consensus with the government. Negotiations usually take place at the Conselho Económico e Social for social dialogue between Employers' Confederations, the Government and Union Confederations. These discussions take place systematically at the beginning of each year, but also when important dossiers about labor law are discussed, as is the case at the moment.
Unions: CGTP
UGT
Unionization Rate: 18.4%
Labor Regulation Bodies: Ministry of Agriculture
Confederation of Portuguese agricultural cooperatives (CONFAGRI)
Portuguese Agricultural Federation
Ministry of Labor

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