If you’re starting a European office, setting up a Portuguese office, or running a virtual office in Portugal, you’ll almost certainly need a Portuguese bank account. Whether it’s for depositing company share capital, receiving payments from clients, or paying local expenses, a bank account is a core part of doing business here.
But what if you don’t live in Portugal? Is it still possible? The answer is yes — and with European Virtual Office, it’s much easier than you might think.
Why you need a Portuguese bank account
For businesses, a local bank account isn’t optional. You’ll need it to:
- Deposit your company’s share capital during registration.
- Receive payments from Portuguese or EU clients without high international fees.
- Pay suppliers or employees locally.
- Register for Portuguese VAT and meet tax obligations.
Even if you’re running a virtual office from abroad, a Portuguese bank account gives your business credibility and smooth financial operations.
The challenges for non-residents
Opening a bank account in Portugal as a non-resident can be tricky because:
- Many banks require in-person identification.
- You need a Portuguese NIF (tax number) before applying.
- Some banks ask for proof of address in Portugal — which you might not have.
- Paperwork is in Portuguese, and requirements vary from bank to bank.
Without help, you might face multiple rejections or have to travel to Portugal just to sign forms.
How European Virtual Office makes it possible
We’ve helped countless foreign entrepreneurs open Portuguese bank accounts without living here. Our process is designed to remove the obstacles:
- We get your NIF first
If you don’t already have a Portuguese tax number, we’ll obtain it for you remotely. - We provide your Portuguese business address
With our virtual office service, you get a professional, legal address that meets bank requirements. - We work with partner banks and fintechs
These institutions accept remote account opening when you have the right documents and representation. - We guide you through the documents
We tell you exactly what to send — usually just a passport copy, proof of address in your home country, and your company documents. - We coordinate the process
We handle communication with the bank so you don’t waste time or face language barriers.
Which banks can you use?
We work with:
- Traditional Portuguese banks — for those who want a physical branch and local customer service.
- Digital banks and fintechs — for faster online banking and easier remote setup.
Depending on your needs (high transaction volume, international transfers, low fees), we’ll recommend the best option.
Documents usually required
To open a bank account without living in Portugal, you’ll typically need:
- Passport or EU ID card.
- Proof of address in your home country.
- Portuguese NIF.
- Company registration documents (if opening a business account).
In some cases, banks may ask for a short explanation of your business activity and expected transactions.
Can I do it completely remotely?
Yes, in most cases. If you work with European Virtual Office, we can open your account with partner banks entirely remotely — no flights, no long branch visits, no wasted time.
What about personal accounts?
Even if you just want a personal account in Portugal (for property purchases, investments, or moving here in the future), we can still help. The process is similar, but requirements may be lighter.
Why choose us instead of doing it alone?
- No guesswork — we know exactly which banks work best for non-residents.
- Faster setup — we avoid delays and rejected applications.
- One-stop solution — NIF, virtual office, company registration, VAT, and bank account all handled in one process.
- Experience with international clients — from Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Taiwan, India, and beyond.
What we need from you
To open your Portuguese bank account without living here, we need:
- Passport or EU ID scan.
- Proof of address in your home country.
- NIF (or we’ll get it for you).
- Company documents (if business account).
That’s it — from there, we’ll do the rest.
💡 Final tip: Don’t let the lack of a Portuguese address or residency slow you down. With European Virtual Office, you can have your bank account, Portuguese office, and company ready to trade in the EU — all without leaving your home country.
📞 Contact us today to get started.