How to Create an Online Store in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Learn how to create an online store in Portugal: platforms, real costs, legal requirements, payment methods and a complete step-by-step guide to launch your e-commerce.
Pedro Fonseca
In this article
- What do you need to create an online store?
- How much does it cost to create an online store?
- Which platform to choose?
- Shopify — The world’s most popular
- WooCommerce — Total flexibility
- Jumpseller — The Portuguese option
- Step-by-step: Creating your online store
- Step 1: Register your domain
- Step 2: Set up the platform
- Step 3: Add products
- Step 4: Set up payment methods
- Step 5: Configure shipping
- Step 6: Test before launching
- Legal requirements for online stores in Portugal
- Business registration
- Tax obligations
- E-commerce obligations
- 5 common mistakes when creating an online store
- Next steps
Selling online is no longer exclusive to big companies. Today, any business in Portugal can create an online store with a modest investment and start selling nationwide — or worldwide.
But where do you start? Between platforms, legal requirements, payment methods and logistics, the process can seem overwhelming. This guide covers everything you need to know to launch your online store in Portugal, step by step.
What do you need to create an online store?
Before choosing a platform or design, you need to define the foundations of your e-commerce:
- Defined product or service — what you’ll sell and to whom
- Simple business plan — margins, pricing, shipping logistics
- Domain and hosting — your website’s address and home
- E-commerce platform — the engine that makes everything work
- Payment methods — MB WAY, Multibanco, card, PayPal
- Legal compliance — business registration, online complaints book, GDPR
Let’s explore each one in detail.
How much does it cost to create an online store?
Costs vary significantly depending on the approach. Here’s a realistic comparison for the Portuguese market:
| Approach | Initial cost | Monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with Shopify | €0 (trial) | €36/month | Quick start |
| WooCommerce + hosting | €50 – €200 | €5 – €20/month | Full control |
| Jumpseller (PT) | €0 (trial) | €19/month | Portugal-focused stores |
| Freelancer | €1,500 – €5,000 | €10 – €50/month | Custom solutions |
| Agency | €3,000 – €10,000+ | €50 – €200/month | Complex projects |
Note: Add the cost of a domain (€10 – €15/year for .pt) and any premium plugins or extensions.
Which platform to choose?
Shopify — The world’s most popular
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use, no coding | Transaction fees (0.5% – 2%) |
| Thousands of templates and apps | Higher monthly cost |
| 24/7 support | Less flexible than WooCommerce |
| MB WAY integration via Stripe | Limited customisation on basic plan |
Best for: Those who want to launch quickly without worrying about technical details.
WooCommerce — Total flexibility
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free (WordPress plugin) | Requires hosting and maintenance |
| Full control over code | Steeper learning curve |
| No transaction fees | You’re responsible for security |
| Thousands of extensions | Can slow down with many plugins |
Best for: Those with some technical knowledge or willing to invest in professional help for full control.
Jumpseller — The Portuguese option
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Portuguese company (PT support) | Fewer apps than Shopify |
| Native CTT and Multibanco integration | Smaller community |
| Plans from €19/month | Fewer templates |
| Integrated invoicing | Fewer educational resources |
Best for: Businesses focused exclusively on the Portuguese market that value local support.
Step-by-step: Creating your online store
Step 1: Register your domain
Choose a .pt domain if you sell exclusively in Portugal, or .com for international sales. A .pt domain costs around €10 – €15/year.
Step 2: Set up the platform
After choosing your platform, configure the essentials:
- Template/theme — choose a professional, responsive (mobile-first) design
- Required pages — About, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Returns Policy
- Navigation — Clear categories, search bar, filters
Step 3: Add products
For each product, prepare:
- Quality photographs — minimum 3 angles, white or contextual background
- Descriptive title — include relevant keywords
- Detailed description — materials, dimensions, care instructions
- Price and stock — with or without VAT (mandatory to indicate)
Step 4: Set up payment methods
In Portugal, the most popular online payment methods are:
| Payment method | Usage % | Integration |
|---|---|---|
| Multibanco (reference) | ~40% | Via ifthenpay, Eupago or Stripe |
| MB WAY | ~25% | Via ifthenpay or Stripe |
| Credit/debit card | ~20% | Stripe, PayPal, Adyen |
| PayPal | ~10% | Native integration |
| Bank transfer | ~5% | Manual |
Important: Not having Multibanco and MB WAY in a Portuguese online store means potentially losing 65% of customers.
Step 5: Configure shipping
Common shipping options in Portugal:
- CTT — The classic choice, with weight-based pricing
- DPD — Good value for B2C deliveries
- GLS — Competitive for higher volumes
- Pickup points (InPost, CTT) — Increasingly popular
Average shipping costs in mainland Portugal: €3 – €6 for packages up to 2kg.
Step 6: Test before launching
Before going live:
- Make a test purchase from start to finish
- Test on mobile and desktop
- Verify confirmation emails arrive
- Check VAT and shipping calculations
- Ask someone outside the team to test
Legal requirements for online stores in Portugal
Business registration
- Sole proprietorship (ENI) or company (Lda/SA) — register with the tax authority using the appropriate CAE code (e.g., 47910 — Retail via internet)
- Freelancer — can sell online as a sole trader
Tax obligations
- VAT: Standard rate of 23% for most products (6% or 13% for reduced rate items)
- Invoicing: Mandatory for all sales, using AT-certified software
- Invoice reporting: Monthly, to the tax authority
E-commerce obligations
| Obligation | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Complaints Book | Mandatory since 2019 (visible link on the website) |
| GDPR | Privacy policy, cookie consent |
| Right of withdrawal | 14 days for distance selling |
| Pre-contractual information | Prices with VAT, shipping costs, delivery times |
| Visible contacts | Name, tax number, address, email, phone |
5 common mistakes when creating an online store
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Ignoring mobile | 60%+ of purchases are on phones | Responsive template, mobile testing |
| No Multibanco/MB WAY | Lose 65% of Portuguese customers | Integrate via ifthenpay or Stripe |
| Poor quality photos | Products look unprofessional | Invest in professional photos |
| Ignoring SEO | Nobody finds the store | Optimise titles, descriptions, URLs |
| No returns policy | Illegal and breeds distrust | Clear page with conditions |
Next steps
Creating an online store in Portugal is more accessible than ever:
- Define your product and target audience
- Choose the right platform (Shopify for simplicity, WooCommerce for control, Jumpseller for PT focus)
- Set up Portuguese payments (Multibanco + MB WAY are essential)
- Meet legal requirements (business registration, invoicing, complaints book, GDPR)
- Test thoroughly before launching
If you need help creating your online store, check our online store creation service or get in touch for a free project analysis.