The creation of companies in Portugal has become significantly faster in recent decades. One of the main reasons for this transformation is the Empresa na Hora service, which allows companies to be set up on the same day, without the need for prior registration requests.
At the heart of this mechanism are pre-approved names, also known as the Register of Companies and Names. Despite their popularity, many entrepreneurs are unaware of how they work, what advantages they offer, and what limitations they entail.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether a pre-approved name is the best option for your business.
What are Company on the Spot pre-approved names?
Pre-approved names are companies and names that have been previously analysed and validated by the National Register of Legal Entities, as part of the Empresa na Hora service, supervised by the Institute of Registries and Notaries.
These names:
- They already respect the principles of truth and novelty.
- They are legally ready to be used.
- They have a reserved NIPC (Tax Identification Number)
- Permitem eliminar o pedido de certificado de admissibilidade
They allow the request for a certificate of admissibility to be eliminated.
How does the Companies and Names Exchange work?
The Firm Exchange is a dynamic list of available names, organised by:
- Type of company (Ltd, Plc, sole proprietorship, etc.)
- General area of activity
- Neutral or fancy structure
During the process of setting up the company (in person or online), the entrepreneur:
- Select a name from the list
- Select the standard social pact
- Indicates partners, headquarters and capital
- Sign the documents
- Leave with the legally constituted company
Average time: less than 1 hour in many cases.
Why is no certificate of admissibility required?
The certificate of admissibility exists to validate whether a name is legally acceptable.
In the case of pre-approved names, this validation has already been done previously by the RNPC.
Therefore:
- There is no request.
- There is no waiting period.
- There is no risk of rejection.
This is the main factor behind the speed of the Empresa na Hora model.
This is the main factor behind the speed of the Empresa na Hora model.
1. Maximum speed in incorporation
Ideal for those who:
- Need to start a business urgently
- You have contractual deadlines to meet.
- Want to start invoicing immediately
2. Immediate legal certainty
The names have already been:
- Checked for confusion
- Tested against existing brands and names
- Structured according to commercial law
They drastically reduce the risk of future problems.
3. Administrative simplicity
Fewer forms, fewer legal decisions, and fewer technical steps. Therefore, it is an excellent solution and especially advantageous for:
- Early-stage entrepreneurs
- Small businesses
- Foreign investors
Limitations that should not be ignored
Despite the advantages, pre-approved names are not the ideal solution in all cases.
1. Limited customisation
The names:
- They are generic or fictitious
- They do not reflect specific branding
- They rarely include strategic references to the business
For companies that value a strong identity, this can be a significant limitation.
2. Limited alignment with marketing and branding
A pre-approved name:
- May not be available as a domain
- It may not be distinctive in SEO
- May not align with brand strategy
Many companies end up changing their name later on. This requires a new certificate and re-registration.
3. Less strategic control
When choosing a name for the bag:
- The legal logic already defined is accepted.
- There is no room for strategic terms
- The company adapts to the name, not the other way around.
When it makes sense to use pre-approved names from “Empresa na Hora”
The names of “Empresa na Hora” are particularly suitable when:
- Urgency is a priority
- The business is simple or transitory
- The brand is not yet strategic
- The focus is on getting up and running quickly.
- It will focus on promoting a registered trademark.
Common examples:
- Initial holdings
- Special purpose vehicles
- Start-ups in the experimental phase
- Local service providers
When is a proper name (with certificate) preferable?
It is worth requesting a certificate of admissibility when:
- The name is part of the brand strategy
- There is investment in communication and marketing without trademark registration
- The deal is medium or long term.
- Differentiation is critical
In these cases, the additional time compensates for protection and future consistency.
Pre-approved names and future changes: beware of hidden costs
An often overlooked point: Changing the name later implies a new certificate, new registration, and new costs.
In addition:
- May require contracts to be updated
- Requires communication to the market
- It may cause confusion among customers
Therefore, the initial choice must be carefully considered.
Conclusion: speed versus strategy
The pre-approved names from “Empresa na Hora” are a powerful tool for administrative simplification.
But it is not just a matter of speed: it is a strategic decision.
✔️ If you need to get started right away, they are an excellent solution
✔️ If company identity is key, they may not be the best option
The most important thing is to realise that the name is not just a legal requirement: it is the company’s first sign in the market.
If you need assistance selecting from pre-approved names from “Empresa na Hora” and obtaining a certificate of admissibility, please contact our team!
