Banks accept documents drawn up in Portuguese, English and Spanish. If the documents are in another language, a notarised translation into English and legalisation will be required.
Opening a bank account for a Portuguese company
Documents required to open a bank account:
- Articles of Association;
- Extract from the Companies Register;
- Extract from the Register of Beneficial Owners;
- Scanned copy of the passport page of the partner/shareholder or director;
- Document confirming the partner’s/shareholder’s permanent address (utility bill).
The time required to open a bank account is 5 working days, excluding the time taken to send the original signed bank forms.
Opening a bank account for a foreign company:
A bank account for a foreign company is opened on the basis of copies of corporate documents provided to the bank with an apostille or consular legalisation, not older than one year:
- Certificate of Incorporation;
- Memorandum of Association;
- Articles of Association;
- Minutes of the Subscribers’ Meeting, Appointment of Director or Secretary, Current Appointments Report;
- Resolution of Shareholders;
- Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Incumbency (not older than 1 year);
- Summary of Company Information held at Companies House (not older than 1 year).
- Documents and information regarding the company’s partners/shareholders and directors:
The time required to open a bank account is from 10 working days, excluding the time taken to send the original signed bank forms.
