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Obtaining a Financial License in Portugal

Obtaining a Financial License in Portugal

Obtaining a financial license in Portugal is essential for local and foreign entrepreneurs who want to offer financial services and/or advice through their companies. Opening a company in Portugal in the financial sector can be a process supervised in detail by our local specialists. We invite you to discover some useful information about how to obtain a financial license in Portugal.

Who needs a financial license in Portugal?

Financial advisors, stock brokers, and insurance agents are among those who need a financial license in Portugal. Companies that want to offer financial services such as micro or short-term loans, investment advice, and other types of services must first receive authorization from the Bank of Portugal, but also from the Portuguese Securities Market Commission. We recommend you to opt for our local services when applying for a financial license in Portugal. We help clients set up a company in Portugal and offer specialized assistance for obtaining the necessary licenses.

Who issues financial licenses in Portugal and how does the process work?

Financial companies in Portugal are supervised by the Bank of Portugal, the institution that issues the necessary licenses in this regard. Thus, those interested in starting a financial company in Portugal must first inform the Bank of Portugal about this intention, and then follow the incorporation process, with respect to the applicable laws. Here are some formalities related to obtaining a financial license in Portugal:

  • The representative of the company in question must submit a notification with the intention of opening a financial enterprise to the Bank of Portugal.
  • A series of documents are required in this case, including incorporation documents, specimen signatures, valid passports/IDs, standard forms, etc.
  • Moreover, the existence of a registered office in Portugal must be confirmed.
  • The institution in charge must then examine the respective notification and the documents presented.
  • Next, the Bank of Portugal issues the authorization or rejects the respective project.

With the help of our company formation agents in Portugal, you can apply for the necessary financial license. Here are other important aspects to take into account when applying for a financial license in Portugal:

  • Information about human, technical, and administrative requisites is required.
  • The company’s management must have experience in the financial field.
  • Implementing the Anti-Money Laundering in the financial company is another important aspect to consider.

Some of the financial licenses available in Portugal

Here are some of the financial licenses available in Portugal:

  • forex broker license,
  • securities trader license,
  • trust fund license,
  • banking license, etc.

Company incorporation in Portugal means, in most cases, obtaining a license before starting activities. Obtaining a financial license in Portugal can be a simplified process, if you collaborate from the very beginning with our local experts.

Some statistical data about the Portuguese economy

Below we present some data about the economic direction of Portugal:

  • An economic growth of approximately 1.7% until the end of 2024 and of almost 1.9% in 2025 is estimated.
  • About 2.6% is the current inflation in Portugal.
  • The unemployment rate is somewhere around 6.4%.

In addition to the assistance offered to obtain a financial license in Portugal, our specialists can provide you with other services. You can, for example, collaborate with our accountants in Portugal. They can guide you from the start when you start the process of company formation in Portugal to know everything about taxes and formalities. So, contact us and discover the services offered by our Portuguese agents.