RCBE
Published 8 November 2026, 20:08
RCBE — Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo (register of the real owners of companies)
A state database of the individuals who ultimately own or control a company. It was set up by Lei n.º 89/2017 under Chapter III of EU Directive 2015/849; the filing procedure is laid down in Portaria n.º 233/2018, and the form is filed online at rcbe.justica.gov.pt. The first declaration is filed when the company is registered, any changes within 30 days, and once a year, by 15 July, you confirm that the details are correct; companies that file the annual IES return confirm them with it.
Where you come across it. Running your own business and the D2 visa, renewing a residence permit through a company, property deals in a company's name, contracts with the state.
People forget about this obligation, but it has teeth: until the declaration is filed, the company cannot distribute profits, sign contracts with the state or municipalities, receive European money or buy or sell property (the notary must check the register and refuse), and the company itself is put on a public list of offenders (article 37 of the regulation). Filing on time is free; late filing incurs a fee.
Official website: rcbe.justica.gov.pt