Company Formation
Macau Company Formation: Updated Requirements and Timeline
An overview of the registration process, document requirements, and key considerations for setting up a company in Macau SAR.
Read article
Macau Company Formation
Register a Company
in Macau SAR
GPPC Sociedade de Auditores guides businesses through the Macau company registration process — from name reservation to commercial registration and ongoing compliance support.
Scroll to explore
Why Macau
A Competitive Jurisdiction for Business
Macau SAR offers a stable, internationally recognised legal framework
and a strategic location within the Greater Bay Area.
Gateway to the Greater Bay Area
Macau's position within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area provides businesses with access to one of the world's most dynamic economic regions, with preferential policies for cross-border trade and investment.
Stable Legal System Under the Macau Commercial Code
Macau's legal framework is based on the Portuguese civil law tradition, providing predictability and clarity for commercial operations. Company law is codified in the Macau Commercial Code (Código Comercial de Macau).
Open to Foreign Ownership
There is no requirement for a local director or minimum local shareholding in a Macau Lda. Foreign individuals and corporate entities can hold 100% of the share capital, making Macau accessible to international investors.
Competitive Minimum Capital — MOP 25,000
The minimum share capital for a Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) is MOP 25,000 — a low barrier to entry relative to many other jurisdictions, without complex paid-up requirements at the time of registration.
Company Types
Choosing the Right Structure
Most foreign investors and small-to-medium enterprises choose the
Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) for its simplicity and flexibility.
Most Common
Sociedade por Quotas (Lda)
Private Limited Company
- Minimum 1 shareholder (natural or corporate, local or foreign)
- Minimum share capital: MOP 25,000
- At least 1 administrator required
- No requirement for a local resident director
- Liability limited to the share capital subscribed
- Governed by CRCBM (商業及動產登記局) under DSAJ
Sociedade Anónima (S.A.)
Public Company / Joint-Stock Company
- Suitable for larger enterprises and listed companies
- Minimum 3 shareholders required
- Higher minimum capital requirements
- More complex governance and compliance obligations
- Board of directors and supervisory board required
Registration Process
Five Steps to Your Macau Company
A typical Macau company registration takes 15–21 business days,
subject to CRCBM and notarial processing times.
1
Company Name Reservation with CRCBM
A proposed company name is submitted to the CRCBM (商業及動產登記局) for availability check and reservation. The name must be in Chinese and/or Portuguese; an English name is optional but requires both Chinese and Portuguese names to also be registered.
Days 1–32
Notarisation of Company Documents
The Articles of Association (Pacto Social) and relevant shareholder/administrator identity documents are notarised before a Macau notary (Cartório Notarial). Foreign corporate shareholders must provide apostilled incorporation documents with certified translation.
Days 3–73
Commercial Registration at CRCBM
The notarised Articles of Association are filed at the CRCBM for formal commercial registration. Upon approval, the company receives its official registration number and a gazette publication (Boletim Oficial) of the company's establishment.
Days 7–144
Business Licence Application
Depending on the nature of business activities, a business licence or operating permit may be required from the relevant Macau government authority (e.g. DSEDT, DSF, or other regulators). GPPC can advise on applicable licence requirements for your specific business activities.
Days 14–185
Company Seal & Corporate Bank Account
Once registered, the company can procure its official seal (chop) and open a corporate bank account with a Macau-licensed bank. GPPC can assist with introductions and the documentation required for bank account opening.
Days 18–21Requirements
What You Need to Register
Macau Lda registration is open to both local and foreign individuals and companies.
The core requirements are straightforward.
Who Can Register
- Individual shareholders of any nationality — local or foreign
- Corporate shareholders, including foreign-incorporated companies
- Minimum 1 shareholder required; no maximum limit
- At least 1 administrator (director) required; no local residency requirement
- Married shareholders of Macau nationality must declare their marital property regime
- Foreign corporate shareholders require apostilled incorporation documents
Documents & Capital Required
- Valid passport or Macau Bilhete de Identidade (BI) for each shareholder and administrator
- Proposed company name (Chinese and/or Portuguese)
- Registered address in Macau SAR (physical or virtual office)
- Minimum share capital of MOP 25,000 for a Lda
- Description of principal business activities
- For foreign corporate shareholders: Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, and Certificate of Good Standing — apostilled and with certified Chinese or Portuguese translation
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Foreign individuals and foreign-incorporated companies can be shareholders in a Macau Lda. There is no requirement for a Macau-resident shareholder or director. Foreign corporate shareholders are required to provide apostilled incorporation documents and articles of association, along with a certified Chinese or Portuguese translation.
The minimum share capital for a Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) is MOP 25,000, divided among shareholders as quotas (shares). There is no requirement to pay up the full capital amount at the time of registration in all cases, though the registered capital must be stated in the Articles of Association.
The typical timeframe is 15–21 business days from the commencement of the process, subject to CRCBM processing times and notarial scheduling. Timelines may vary depending on the completeness of documents provided and the nature of business activities requiring licensing.
Yes, a registered address in Macau SAR is a requirement for company registration. This can be a physical office or a virtual office service address. GPPC can provide a registered virtual office address for companies that do not have a physical presence in Macau at the time of registration.
No. Under the Macau Commercial Code, a company must have either a Chinese or a Portuguese name — but not necessarily both. However, if a company wishes to have an English name, both the Chinese and Portuguese names must also be registered. Where both Chinese and Portuguese names are used, the business descriptor must correspond in meaning between the two languages.
Yes. Foreign-incorporated companies can be shareholders. They are required to provide their Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, and a Certificate of Good Standing (or equivalent), each apostilled in their jurisdiction of incorporation and accompanied by a certified translation into Chinese or Portuguese.
After registration, Macau companies are required to maintain proper accounting records, file annual tax returns with the DSF (Direcção dos Serviços de Finanças), and renew their commercial registration periodically with the CRCBM. Depending on the scale of operations, annual audit may also be required. GPPC can support all aspects of ongoing compliance including bookkeeping, tax filing, and statutory administration.
Fees vary depending on the complexity of the structure, the number of shareholders, and the scope of services required. Please contact us directly for a tailored quote.
Further Reading
Related Insights
Tax Advisory
Greater Bay Area Tax Planning: Key Considerations for 2026
An introduction to cross-border tax considerations for businesses operating across Macau, Hong Kong, and Mainland China within the Greater Bay Area framework.
Read article