BCA Group
BCA Group: Portugal
Most consultancies explain what they do. This page explains how — and who does it.
A straightforward account of how an engagement with BCA Portugal works: from the first conversation to a registered company, an open bank account, and a commercial model ready for the European market.
See How We Work Step by Step TWO WAYS TO ENGAGE
First, a question worth answering before anything else is discussed.
Before scope, timeline, or pricing — the first question is what kind of engagement fits the situation. There are two, and they are genuinely different.
You need a result.
You know what you want: a registered Portuguese company, correct documentation, clean handover. You have done this before — perhaps in another jurisdiction — and you don't need a standing relationship. You need the job done well.
This is the Pay as you go path. A fixed scope, a fixed fee, and a clean deliverable at the end. After that, you run the company yourself, or engage a local accountant, or come back to us when a specific question arises.
Right for: founders with existing EU experience, businesses adding a Portuguese entity to an established structure, projects with a clear and bounded scope.
→ See formation fees
You know what you want: a registered Portuguese company, correct documentation, clean handover. You have done this before — perhaps in another jurisdiction — and you don't need a standing relationship. You need the job done well.
This is the Pay as you go path. A fixed scope, a fixed fee, and a clean deliverable at the end. After that, you run the company yourself, or engage a local accountant, or come back to us when a specific question arises.
Right for: founders with existing EU experience, businesses adding a Portuguese entity to an established structure, projects with a clear and bounded scope.
→ See formation fees
You need a presence.
This is your first European entity, or your first time operating seriously in the EU. You know the destination but you're less certain about the road — the filings, the bank queries, the tax authority correspondence, the questions that arrive at inconvenient moments.
This is the Retained path. We register the company as part of the engagement. You pay a fixed monthly fee and have a team that knows your structure, your business, and your history with Portuguese authorities — available when you need them, without a new engagement letter each time.
Right for: founders building a European presence for the first time, businesses that want ongoing support rather than reactive assistance, clients who prefer a fixed monthly cost to unpredictable advisory fees.
→ See retainer tiers
This is your first European entity, or your first time operating seriously in the EU. You know the destination but you're less certain about the road — the filings, the bank queries, the tax authority correspondence, the questions that arrive at inconvenient moments.
This is the Retained path. We register the company as part of the engagement. You pay a fixed monthly fee and have a team that knows your structure, your business, and your history with Portuguese authorities — available when you need them, without a new engagement letter each time.
Right for: founders building a European presence for the first time, businesses that want ongoing support rather than reactive assistance, clients who prefer a fixed monthly cost to unpredictable advisory fees.
→ See retainer tiers
THE PROCESS
What happens, in order
From first conversation to operational company. What each stage involves and what it produces.
Stage 1 — First conversation Week 1
A 30–45 minute call. No agenda, no intake form, no sales pitch.
We ask about the business — what it does, how it generates revenue, where the founders are based, and what the EU entry is intended to achieve. You ask whatever you need to ask.
By the end of this conversation, we have enough to tell you: whether Portugal is the right entry point for your specific situation, which structure makes sense, and what the engagement would involve. If Portugal isn't the right answer for you, we'll say so — and suggest what might be.
What you need to prepare: nothing formal. A clear description of the business and what you're trying to achieve in Europe is sufficient.
We ask about the business — what it does, how it generates revenue, where the founders are based, and what the EU entry is intended to achieve. You ask whatever you need to ask.
By the end of this conversation, we have enough to tell you: whether Portugal is the right entry point for your specific situation, which structure makes sense, and what the engagement would involve. If Portugal isn't the right answer for you, we'll say so — and suggest what might be.
What you need to prepare: nothing formal. A clear description of the business and what you're trying to achieve in Europe is sufficient.
Stage 2 — Structure proposal Week 1–2
Based on the initial conversation, we prepare a written proposal covering: the recommended corporate structure, the rationale for it, the scope of the engagement, the timeline, and the fixed fee or retainer tier.
The proposal is specific to your situation — not a template with your name inserted. If the structure involves considerations beyond a standard Lda. formation (Madeira MIBC, holding structure, intra-group arrangements), we explain why and what it involves before you commit to anything.
What you receive: a written proposal you can review, share with a co-founder or adviser, and respond to with questions.
The proposal is specific to your situation — not a template with your name inserted. If the structure involves considerations beyond a standard Lda. formation (Madeira MIBC, holding structure, intra-group arrangements), we explain why and what it involves before you commit to anything.
What you receive: a written proposal you can review, share with a co-founder or adviser, and respond to with questions.
Stage 3 — Onboarding Week 2–3
Once the engagement is confirmed, we collect the documentation required to begin: passport copies for all shareholders and directors, corporate documents for any existing entities in the structure, and a description of the business sufficient for the banking compliance package.
We also introduce you to the team member who will manage the engagement. This is the person you will correspond with throughout — not a different contact for each question.
What you provide: standard KYC documentation. We send a clear list; you don't need to guess what's needed.
We also introduce you to the team member who will manage the engagement. This is the person you will correspond with throughout — not a different contact for each question.
What you provide: standard KYC documentation. We send a clear list; you don't need to guess what's needed.
Stage 4 — Formation Weeks 3–6
NIF acquisition, name reservation, Pacto Social preparation, commercial registry submission, tax registration, and banking preparation — run in parallel where possible to compress the timeline.
You are kept informed at each step. When a document requires your review or signature, we send it with a clear explanation of what it is and what you're approving. We don't send documents without context.
What you receive: Certidão Permanente, Pacto Social, tax registration confirmation, banking compliance package.
Typical timeline: company registered and tax-enrolled within 2–4 weeks of NIF acquisition. Bank account opening adds further time — typically 4–8 weeks depending on the institution.
You are kept informed at each step. When a document requires your review or signature, we send it with a clear explanation of what it is and what you're approving. We don't send documents without context.
What you receive: Certidão Permanente, Pacto Social, tax registration confirmation, banking compliance package.
Typical timeline: company registered and tax-enrolled within 2–4 weeks of NIF acquisition. Bank account opening adds further time — typically 4–8 weeks depending on the institution.
Stage 5 — Operational setup Weeks 6–10
Once the company is registered and the bank account is in progress, we handle the operational setup: accounting system configuration, invoicing structure, tax calendar, and the first round of compliance obligations.
For retained clients, this is also when the ongoing support rhythm is established — how we communicate, what the monthly reporting looks like, and how ad hoc questions are handled.
What you receive: a company that is not just registered but configured to operate — with a clear picture of the ongoing compliance obligations and who handles them.
For retained clients, this is also when the ongoing support rhythm is established — how we communicate, what the monthly reporting looks like, and how ad hoc questions are handled.
What you receive: a company that is not just registered but configured to operate — with a clear picture of the ongoing compliance obligations and who handles them.
Stage 6 — Ongoing (retained clients) Month 2 onwards
Monthly accounting and tax filings, bank compliance support, contract reviews, regulatory correspondence, and quarterly structure reviews. You have a single point of contact who knows the full history of the engagement.
When something unexpected arrives — a notification from the Autoridade Tributária, a query from the bank, a contract that needs reviewing before it's signed — you send it to us. We respond within the agreed timeframe, with a clear answer rather than a list of caveats.
What this looks like in practice: most months, a brief update and confirmation that filings are in order. Some months, a specific question or issue that requires attention. Occasionally, a structural review as the business evolves. The retained engagement is designed to be low-friction — the support is there when it's needed and quiet when it isn't.
When something unexpected arrives — a notification from the Autoridade Tributária, a query from the bank, a contract that needs reviewing before it's signed — you send it to us. We respond within the agreed timeframe, with a clear answer rather than a list of caveats.
What this looks like in practice: most months, a brief update and confirmation that filings are in order. Some months, a specific question or issue that requires attention. Occasionally, a structural review as the business evolves. The retained engagement is designed to be low-friction — the support is there when it's needed and quiet when it isn't.
BASICS
How we communicate
Our clients are based in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, the UK, and the Americas. Portugal is UTC+0 (UTC+1 in summer). We manage this practically:
Response times:
Languages: English is the working language for all international engagements. Portuguese is used for correspondence with Portuguese authorities, banks, and registries — we handle this; you don't need to.
Document delivery: All documents are delivered digitally, with clear explanations of what each document is and what it means. Physical originals are coordinated where required by Portuguese authorities — we handle the logistics.
Response times:
- Retained clients: responses within 1 business day for standard queries; same-day for urgent matters flagged as such
- Pay as you go: responses within 2 business days throughout the engagement
Languages: English is the working language for all international engagements. Portuguese is used for correspondence with Portuguese authorities, banks, and registries — we handle this; you don't need to.
Document delivery: All documents are delivered digitally, with clear explanations of what each document is and what it means. Physical originals are coordinated where required by Portuguese authorities — we handle the logistics.
FIRST CONVERSATION
The first conversation is free, uncommitted, and usually useful.
Most people who contact us are at the same stage: they've decided that Europe is part of the plan, they have questions about structure and process, and they want to speak with someone who can give them a straight answer rather than a brochure.
That conversation takes 30–45 minutes. It costs nothing. It doesn't commit you to anything.
What it produces — for both sides — is a clear picture of whether and how we can help. If the answer is yes, we'll tell you what that looks like. If the answer is no, or if a different jurisdiction or provider would serve you better, we'll tell you that too.
That conversation takes 30–45 minutes. It costs nothing. It doesn't commit you to anything.
What it produces — for both sides — is a clear picture of whether and how we can help. If the answer is yes, we'll tell you what that looks like. If the answer is no, or if a different jurisdiction or provider would serve you better, we'll tell you that too.
Not sure where to start?
Let's work it out together.
A 20-minute call. We'll look at your situation — your business, your clients, your country — and tell you honestly which structure makes sense and what it will take.
⏱ 20 minutes · No commitment · Straight answers
⏱ 20 minutes · No commitment · Straight answers
Austria · Germany · company formation for non-residents