Chapter VIII · Amendments to the articles of association · Section III · Capital reductions

Article 96 Protection of creditors

Artigo 96.º · Tutela dos credores

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

#

1. Without prejudice to the following paragraph, within one month after publication of the registration of the capital reduction, any company creditor may apply to the court to prohibit or restrict distributions of available reserves or profits for the financial year for a period to be fixed, unless the applicant's claim is satisfied, if already due, or adequately secured in other cases.

1 - Sem prejuízo do disposto no número seguinte, qualquer credor social pode, no prazo de um mês após a publicação do registo da redução do capital, requerer ao tribunal que a distribuição de reservas disponíveis ou dos lucros de exercício seja proibida ou limitada, durante um período a fixar, a não ser que o crédito do requerente seja satisfeito, se já for exigível, ou adequadamente garantido, nos restantes casos.

#

2. Creditors may exercise the right conferred by the preceding paragraph only if, at least 15 days previously, they requested that the company satisfy their claim or provide adequate security and their request has not been met.

2 - A faculdade conferida aos credores no número anterior apenas pode ser exercida se estes tiverem solicitado à sociedade a satisfação do seu crédito ou a prestação de garantia adequada, há pelo menos 15 dias, sem que o seu pedido tenha sido atendido.

#

3. Before expiry of the period afforded to company creditors under the preceding paragraphs, the company may not make the distributions referred to therein; the same prohibition applies from the time the company becomes aware of a creditor's application.

3 - Antes de decorrido o prazo concedido aos credores sociais nos números anteriores, não pode a sociedade efectuar as distribuições nele mencionadas, valendo a mesma proibição a partir do conhecimento pela sociedade do requerimento de algum credor.

#

4. This Article does not apply:

4 - O disposto no presente artigo não é aplicável:

#

a) In the context of resolution tools, powers and mechanisms;

a) No âmbito de instrumentos, poderes e mecanismos de resolução;

#

b) While any company restructuring proceedings provided for in the Insolvency and Company Recovery Code are pending.

b) Durante a pendência de qualquer processo de reestruturação de empresas previsto no Código da Insolvência e da Recuperação de Empresas.

What we checked in this article

One month from publication and the preceding 15-day demand are distinct; the distribution prohibition and current exceptions remain.

Is Article 96 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