Chapter II · Simple participation, reciprocal participation and control relationships

Article 485 Companies in a relationship of reciprocal holdings

Artigo 485.º · Sociedades em relação de participações recíprocas

Código das Sociedades Comerciais · Decree-Law No. 262/86 · consolidated text checked 26 October 2026

#

1. Companies in a relationship of reciprocal holdings become subject to the duties and restrictions set out in the following paragraphs from the time at which both holdings reach 10% of the capital of the investee company.

1 - As sociedades que estiverem em relação de participações recíprocas ficam sujeitas aos deveres e restrições constantes dos números seguintes a partir do momento em que ambas as participações atinjam 10% do capital da participada.

#

2. The company that was the later to make the notification required by Article 484(1) from which knowledge of the amount of the holding referred to in the preceding paragraph results may not acquire further quota interests or shares in the other company.

2 - A sociedade que mais tardiamente tenha efectuado a comunicação exigida pelo artigo 484.º, n.º 1, donde resulte o conhecimento montante da participação referido no número anterior, não pode adquirir novas quotas ou acções na outra sociedade.

#

3. Acquisitions made in breach of the preceding paragraph are not void, but the acquiring company may not exercise the rights attaching to those quota interests or shares to the extent that they exceed 10% of the capital, with the exception of the right to a share of the liquidation proceeds, although it remains subject to the corresponding obligations; and its directors are liable, under the general rules, for the losses suffered by the company as a result of the creation and maintenance of such a situation.

3 - As aquisições efectuadas com violação do disposto no número anterior não são nulas, mas a sociedade adquirente não pode exercer os direitos inerentes a essas quotas ou acções na parte que exceda 10% do capital, exceptuado o direito à partilha do produto da liquidação, embora esteja sujeita às respectivas obrigações, e os seus administradores são responsáveis, nos termos gerais, pelos prejuízos que a sociedade sofra pela criação e manutenção de tal situação.

#

4. Where the relationships are cumulative, Article 487(2) prevails over paragraph 3 of this Article.

4 - Cumulando-se as relações, o disposto no artigo 487.º, n.º 2, prevalece sobre o n.º 3 deste artigo.

#

5. Whenever the law requires holdings to be published or declared, it must be stated whether there are reciprocal holdings, their amount and the quota interests or shares whose rights may not be exercised by one or the other of the companies.

5 - Sempre que a lei imponha a publicação ou declaração de participações, deve ser mencionado se existem participações recíprocas, o seu montante e as quotas ou acções cujos direitos não podem ser exercidos por uma ou por outra das sociedades.

What we checked in this article

The 10% trigger for both holdings, the acquisition ban on the later-notifying company, the validity of infringing acquisitions with suspension of rights above 10% (except the right to the liquidation proceeds) and the directors' liability, the precedence of Article 487(2) and the disclosure duty are retained.

Is Article 485 relevant to a company you run or plan to set up?

We advise on Portuguese company law in English every day: formation, capital, members’ resolutions, managers’ liability and restructuring. A written answer and a fixed quote within one working day.

Unofficial English translation prepared by BCA Portugal for reference. Only the Portuguese text published in the Diário da República has legal force. Editorial notes are ours and are not part of the statute.

Applying the law

Portuguese company law, explained in English by the people who apply it

Reading the statute is the first step. Applying it to your articles of association, your capital and your board is where mistakes cost money. Tell us what you are deciding and we will set out the rules that apply and what it costs to get it done.

Get a quote