If you consider opening a restaurant in Portugal, this is a place full of opportunities for this kind of activity. Therefore, our experts in company formation in Portugal can help you with all the legal matters for setting up your restaurant here. We invite you to discover some useful information about how to establish a restaurant in Portugal.
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Choosing the type of restaurant in Portugal
Private limited liability companies, limited partnerships, or sole proprietorships are among preferred forms of businesses in Portugal from which you can choose when setting up a restaurant in Portugal. It is suggested to select the type of restaurant you want to establish, a large or a small one, and then choose the name of your business. Bistros are quite preferred in Portugal because they are elegant, they address to any kind of client and even though they are small businesses, the menus can be rich and can contain both local and international cuisine.
Therefore, if you are interested in establishing a restaurant here, you should know that this is a strong opportunity due to the increasing tourism and numerous hotels in Portugal to develop a successful business.
Steps in opening your restaurant in Portugal
One should consider that, after choosing the type of business, several requirements must be taken into consideration when drafting the documents, no matter if you appoint a lawyer or our company incorporation specialists in Portugal to represent your firm:
- prepare the articles of association;
- reserve a name for your company;
- register for VAT and social contributions;
- open a bank account for depositing the minimum share capital and further financial transactions;
- apply for the necessary licenses and permits available in the food industry.
We remind you that the commercial licenses you need to obtain for your restaurant regard the construction of the building, if not rented, and the one related to the health and safety standards, as general rules imposed by the EU.
So if you choose to establish a restaurant in Portugal, you should also take into consideration the fact that you will need an expert to help you with bookkeeping, audits, payroll, and the preparation of annual financial statements. Our accountants in Portugal are available to assist with these matters.
The current procedure for obtaining permits for a restaurant in Portugal
In Portugal, the procedure for exercising the activity of a restaurant establishment is not built mainly on traditional licenses, but on a specific official mechanism.
In order to legally open and operate a restaurant in Portugal, it is mandatory to file a Mera Comunicação Prévia (MCP) before starting operations. This is a simple prior notification to the local authorities by which you declare that the location and activity comply with the applicable legal conditions.
The MCP is filed online at the territorially competent Câmara Municipal (municipality) or through the Balção do Empreendedor, the government’s electronic portal for business formalities.
The form must be completed before starting the activity, and once filed, it grants the right to start the activity immediately if you meet all the legal conditions. If you are unsure about this matter, you can check out our services and our specialists in Portugal will help you during this procedure.
The MCP declares:
- that the space complies with health, hygiene, and food safety regulations;
- that it meets the urban planning and use conditions of the building;
- that environmental protection requirements and other regulations applicable to the hospitality sector are complied with.
If your established restaurant in Portugal cannot meet all legal conditions (for example: requirements related to the structure of the space), then, depending on the case, a separate authorization or an exemption from some requirements may be requested, but this is a special procedure, also through the “Balcão do Empreendedor”.
The current regime is part of the “Licenciamento Zero” program within the administrative simplification program. Instead of a series of individual licenses, you submit a single notification (MCP), and the authorities can subsequently control you for compliance with the rules.
This procedure may be time-consuming for you, which is why our specialists in opening a company in Portugal can help you with this kind of legal matter.
Statistics of established restaurants in Portugal
With about 32,5 million people visiting the country at the end of 2025, Portugal is a strong choice for entrepreneurs looking to start operations in the food industry, a prosperous sector and an important part of the overall economy. Below, you can find some information regarding the number of restaurants in Portugal:
- At the beginning of 2026, there are 6,543 active restaurants in Portugal;
- 5,502 restaurants (about 84.1%) are independent businesses with a single owner;
- 1,041 restaurants (approximately 15.9%) are part of larger brands/ chains.
Therefore, opening a restaurant in Portugal can be a successful business if a marketing plan is suitably created, in order to meet the requirements of the market with quality and top standards.
For additional information about how to establish a restaurant in Portugal, we invite you to contact our team of advisors in company incorporation in Portugal.