From Algeria · NIF remote, signing in Lisbon
Set up your company in Portugalfrom Algeria
You are an Algerian national considering a company in Portugal? The NIF is obtained remotely through a tax representative, but signing the articles and opening the bank account are done in person, during a trip to Lisbon. Above all, the decisive issue is not Portuguese taxation: it is Algeria's exchange controls (holding a company and transferring currency abroad is heavily restricted) and, if you want to live and run the business from Portugal, the D2 residence visa. Here are the markers, to validate with a professional before any step.
75+ entrepreneurs supported since 2025 · Service in French · Lisbon, Portugal
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The real obstacle is not Portuguese: it is exchange controls
The decisive issue is not Portuguese taxation (there is no « controlled foreign company » here, nor any Cayman-tax or ATAD-type device). The central blocking point is Algeria's exchange controls: holding assets and companies abroad, and transferring currency by an Algerian resident, are very strictly framed and largely restricted.
The principle (Bank of Algeria regulation 07-01 and related texts) rests on a regime of framing and authorisation: a resident cannot freely set up, fund or hold a company abroad, nor transfer currency, without following the applicable procedures. We publish no figures or ceilings: the situation is evolving and must be dated and verified with a professional before any operation.
- The principle is framing and authorisation: for an Algerian resident, transferring currency and holding assets abroad is not free and follows procedures to be checked case by case.
- The resident / non-resident distinction is decisive: a non-resident (for example an Algerian national settled abroad) is not subject to the same exchange constraints as a resident in Algeria.
- Algerian tax residence is assessed under Algerian law: setting up a company in Portugal does not, on its own, change your status as an Algerian resident.
- We give no ceiling or amount as certain: exchange-control rules are evolving and must be validated with a professional before any step.
The Algerian markers
Residence, visa and exchange controls, in brief
Algerian tax residence
It is assessed under Algerian law: setting up a company in Portugal does not, on its own, change your status as a resident in Algeria. As long as you remain an Algerian resident, you remain subject to your local obligations.
D2 residence visa (Portugal)
A residence visa for a non-EU entrepreneur or self-employed person wishing to live and run their activity in Portugal. Indicative 2026 conditions, to be confirmed: means of subsistence of the order of the Portuguese minimum wage, proof of deposit or savings, a credible business plan. The company can be set up before relocation, but its incorporation requires a trip to Lisbon to sign the articles.
Specificity: exchange controls
For an Algerian resident, holding a company and accounts abroad and transferring currency is heavily framed and largely restricted (authorisation principle, regulation 07-01). It is the point to clarify first, before taxation.
Resident vs non-resident
Status changes everything: the exchange constraints primarily target the Algerian resident. A national already settled outside Algeria, and treated as non-resident, is not in the same situation. This point must be validated with a professional.
Your process
NIF remotely, signing in Lisbon
As a national of a country outside the European Union, your process combines a single fully remote step (the NIF, through a tax representative), a trip to Lisbon to sign the articles and open the bank account, and, in parallel, compliance with Algeria's exchange-control rules. Living and running it from Portugal further requires a residence permit.
Obtain the non-resident NIF (remotely)
The NIF (individual Portuguese tax number) is obtained for a non-resident through a tax representative resident outside the EU, without travelling: it is the only fully remote step. Not to be confused with the NIPC, the future company's tax number.
Prepare the articles in advance
The articles and the registration file are prepared remotely, but their signature is not done remotely: it takes place in person in Portugal. Best to have everything ready before your trip so you can sign in one go on site.
Anticipate the D2 visa if you want to live and run the business in Portugal
If the goal is to settle and run the activity from Portugal, the D2 residence visa is the prerequisite. Indicative 2026 conditions (to be confirmed): means of subsistence of the order of the Portuguese minimum wage, evidenced deposit or savings, a business plan.
Frame exchange controls and authorisations
Before any transfer of funds or funding of the company, have your situation checked against Algeria's exchange-control rules (resident / non-resident, applicable authorisations). This is the step not to skip, to validate with a professional.
Sign the articles in Lisbon and incorporate
During your trip to Lisbon, you sign the articles in person; incorporation follows (NIPC, then the Certidão Permanente). The RCBE is then declared by the partner lawyer right after the Certidão Permanente is issued (24-48 h after incorporation). Segurança Social registration and accounting are handled by a partner Contabilista Certificado.
Open the bank account at a branch
Opening the business account is done in person, at a branch, during that same trip to Lisbon (not remotely). Conditions depend on the bank and your profile.
To go further
Useful pages before you decide
Frequently asked questions
Algerian national: what people ask me
- Can I hold a company in Portugal while remaining an Algerian resident?
- It is legally conceivable on the Portuguese side. On the formalities side, only the NIF is obtained remotely; signing the articles and opening the bank account are done in person during a trip to Lisbon. But as an Algerian resident, holding assets and companies abroad is heavily framed by exchange controls (authorisation principle, regulation 07-01); your tax residence is assessed under Algerian law. This point must be validated with a professional before any step.
- Do I need a visa to set up or run my company?
- To set up the company, no: incorporation does not depend on a visa. But it is not done entirely remotely: only the NIF is obtained through a tax representative, while signing the articles and opening the bank account take place in person in Portugal. However, to live and run the activity from Portugal, a residence permit is required: the D2 residence visa targets non-EU entrepreneurs and self-employed people. Its conditions (means of subsistence, savings, business plan) are indicative for 2026 and to be confirmed.
- How do I transfer funds or currency to Portugal?
- This is the most sensitive point. For an Algerian resident, transferring currency and funding a company abroad are heavily framed and subject to authorisation under exchange controls; we publish no ceilings, as the situation is evolving. The resident / non-resident distinction is decisive. To be verified and dated with a professional before any operation.
- Is the company set up entirely remotely?
- No. Only the non-resident NIF is obtained remotely, through a tax representative. Signing the articles and opening the bank account are done in person, during a trip to Lisbon. The RCBE is declared by the partner lawyer right after the Certidão Permanente (24-48 h after incorporation). Living and running the business from Portugal further requires a residence visa (D2 type), and any transfer of funds must comply with Algeria's exchange-control rules.
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only; it does not constitute personalised legal, accounting or tax advice. The existence and date of any Algeria-Portugal treaty are to be confirmed (no date is published here), and Algeria's exchange-control rules are strict and evolving: they must be dated and verified before any decision. The D2 visa conditions (required income of the order of the Portuguese minimum wage, deposit of means of subsistence, business plan) are indicative for 2026 and to be confirmed. All these elements are to be validated with a professional. Business Portugal is a consultant in company formation and setup, not an accounting, tax or law firm: we guide you and connect you with the right partner. Book a meeting to frame your project.
Let's talk about your project, from Algeria
A first free conversation, with no commitment, by video and in French, to frame your Portuguese incorporation and, above all, your Algerian situation (exchange controls, residence, visa). If a professional is needed, we connect you with the right partner.
No commitment · By video · Service in French · Lisbon, Portugal