To start a coffee shop in Portugal, lock in three pillars fast: compliant entity, licensed premises, and operational readiness. Form a Sociedade Unipessoal Lda. via Empresa na Hora (same‑day), open a business bank account, obtain your NIF/NIPC and file the declaração de início de atividade at Finanças, choosing the appropriate IVA regime (full VAT or Article 53 exemption based on forecast turnover). Secure a commercial lease explicitly stating “uso para restauração e bebidas,” confirm the property’s licença de utilização, and file the RJACSR comunicação prévia on Balcão do Empreendedor with your layout, capacity, and signage plan; request terrace/esplanada and advertising permits from the Câmara if needed. Implement HACCP (APPCC), notify ASAE, comply with SCIE (fire plan, extinguishers, occupancy), and register staff with Segurança Social; take out workers’ comp insurance and display Livro de Reclamações (physical + electronic), horário, and price list. Use AT‑certified invoicing/POS software and enable Multibanco/MB Way. Fit out with a filtered‑water line, a 20–32A circuit for the espresso machine, and service contracts for equipment; calibrate grinders (dose, yield, TDS) and set SOPs to maintain consistency. Negotiate local roaster supply, set menu engineering and gross margins, and validate footfall near offices, transit, or universities before signing the lease.
