Special Permits and Licenses in Portugal

Companies in Portugal must obtain special permits and licenses in order to conduct business activities in a number of fields. The Portuguese authorities may require construction permits, authorizations for the import and export activities and certificates that attest to the environmental impact of a business. Business licenses in Portugal are legally required for enterprises to operate lawfully and avoid any penalties.

One of our lawyers in Portugal can give you specific information on how these permits are relevant to your business and can assist you in obtaining them.

Commercial licenses in Portugal

Commercial licenses are used in a number of fields, including for self-practitioners like medical professionals or lawyers in Portugal. Here are some examples:

Portuguese companies in the retail and construction business, as well as those that provide leisure services like travel services, require special licenses.
Car rental activities are subject to approval from the Institute of Mobility and Transport.
Financial service providers, such as auditors, need a special business license in Portugal.
In order to operate a restaurant or hotel, investors in Portugal will need to obtain special permits and licenses, both for constructing the premises and for compliance with the health and safety standards in the country.
Import and export licenses are needed for those companies that engage in trade. In this sector, certain goods may be subject to restriction.

Our team can help you obtain any business license in Portugal.

Gambling license in Portugal

Gambling activities require a special business license in Portugal. Below is information about procedures and requirements:

The SRIJ (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos) is responsible for issuing online gaming licenses.
The process requires submitting an application and documentation to demonstrate eligibility.
To obtain this special trade license in Portugal one must first present certification reports from an independent testing lab recognized by the SRIJ.
In addition, you must provide a responsible gaming policy, bank account details for all online gaming transactions, and two financial guarantees. Our Portuguese lawyerscan help you obtain a gambling license with SRIJ.
For land-based gambling, such as casinos or betting shops, the procedure is more complex. Operators are selected through a formal process called a public tender. Applicants must pay a minimum amount of money as part of the application process.

The online gambling business license in Portugal is available for 3 years, but can be extended. The SRIJ can suspend or revoke licenses for non-compliance. Our law firm in Portugal can help you if you want to open a casino or betting shop and fulfill the operating requirements.

License for tourist establishments and travel agencies in Portugal

The tourism license is mandatory to carry out activities related to tourism in Portugal. In this sense, the documents are submitted to the Tourism Authority in Portugal, the institution that issues the required business license.

Tourist establishments (hotels, resorts, camping sites, etc.) and travel agencies need a special trade license in Portugal. Licenses are granted either by local councils or by Turismo de Portugal. In the case of travel agencies, these can be run by individuals or companies, which register with the RNAVT by prior communication and pay a EUR 2,500 contribution to the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund (FGVT); no minimum share capital applies. Entertainment services in tourism, such as tourist guide services, must be registered with the Registo Nacional dos Agentes de Animação Turística (RNAAT).

Other types of business licenses in Portugal

Entrepreneurs who want to open their business in Portugal must consider the trade license required. Specific licenses and permits might be needed, depending on the type of company and activities. Here’s what might interest you at some point:

A health license in Portugal is necessary for those who want to open a restaurant, bar, or any other business in the hospitality sector. Such establishments are opened by prior communication to the municipality via the ePortugal portal (DL 10/2015), and food hygiene is inspected by ASAE.
Those who want to carry out activities with environmental impact must first obtain a special license. This is the environmental license issued by the Environmental Agency.
Constructions and renovations can only take place if a building permit is issued the first time. The local municipality issues the building permit required in this case.
The zoning regulations are also important when developing specific projects. As such, one might need to obtain a Land-Use permit in Portugal, issued by the local authorities.

Whatever situation you find yourself in when you start a business and need a trade license in Portugal, do not hesitate to contact us. Our attorneys in Portugal can represent you in the desired field of activity.

What are industry-specific licenses in Portugal?

There are various categories of trade licenses in Portugal. Among them, the industry-specific licenses. In the case of those who want to sell alcohol on the premises/locations where they carry out their activities, a permit will be needed. Portugal has no separate alcohol licence for such premises: the sale is covered by the establishment's registration and subject to the over-18 rule of DL 50/2013.

If you want to know more about the requirements for obtaining industry-specific licenses in Portugal, we recommend the services offered by our specialists. We have experience in the field and collaborate with the relevant authorities in the activity sector.

Statistics about Portuguese companies

Our attorneys in Portugal have prepared some interesting statistics from 2023 about the number of newly registered businesses in the country and the industry they operate in:

Data for September 2023 show that around 39,042 new companies were created in Portugal.
Most companies created in Portugal during the above-mentioned period were registered in the transportation sector, around 4,729 companies.
Accommodation and catering increased by another 394 companies, according to data for September 2023.

Find out more about the requirements to obtain a trade license in Portugal and request detailed information from the specialists by contacting our law firm in Portugal.