WhatsApp quoteIn our experience, excise Tax Registration is registering for excise tax on tobacco, energy drinks, carbonated drinks and sweetened beverages, and it applies to importers, producers and stockpilers of excise goods, and operators of excise warehouses. GoldenKey handles Excise Tax Registration for the companies we form and for businesses that come to us later, so the process is routine for our tax team. From day one, for Portuguese founders, the UAE is around 8 hours from Lisbon, the UAE is 3 to 4 hours ahead of Portugal, and English is the business language in the UAE. Put simply, payments between Portugal and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle without delay and UAE banks are familiar with Portuguese business profiles.
Why Excise Tax Registration
GoldenKey prepares the EmaraTax application for Excise Tax Registration, uploads the documents and follows up with the FTA until the certificate is issued. Excise rates are 100% on tobacco and energy drinks and 50% on carbonated and sweetened drinks. Importantly, many Portuguese founders run Excise Tax Registration companies alongside an existing business in Portugal, using the UAE entity for international invoicing and regional sales.
Documents required
The document list for excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
- Customs code and import records where applicable
Pricing
All prices for excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands. Day to day, use the table below to compare packages for excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
| GoldenKey service fee | AED 3,500 |
|---|
FTA excise registration for producers, importers or warehouse keepers of excisable goods
Request this servicePrices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies for international company owners. As a rule, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and for that reason so many founders choose it as a base for excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, we will tell you plainly if Excise Tax Registration is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Excise Tax Registration file, download your papers and pay invoices from your phone.
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss excise tax registration for Portuguese-owned companies.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Excise Tax Registration take with the FTA?
Day to day, the FTA normally responds within 20 business days, and simple applications are often approved faster. GoldenKey submits a complete file to avoid information requests.
Can GoldenKey act as my tax agent?
Yes, it can. GoldenKey can prepare and submit filings on your behalf and handle FTA correspondence, so you have one point of contact for licence, visa and tax matters.
What happens if I miss the Excise Tax Registration deadline?
Late registration attracts a fixed penalty, and late filings add further penalties. If you are already late, GoldenKey can register you and advise on penalty reconsideration where grounds exist.
Can a Portuguese citizen own 100% of a company in Excise Tax Registration?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own the full share capital of a Excise Tax Registration company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Portuguese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Excise Tax Registration?
No. You can apply for the licence from Portugal with scanned documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is handled afterwards.
