The Portuguese Startup Visa is aimed at tech-savvy entrepreneurs or innovative startup founders who want to immigrate to Portugal. Through Portugal’s IAPMEI, the residency program gives applicants access to local startup incubators and support networks to help their businesses succeed and grow.
In this article, we’ll examine the Portugal Startup Visa in-depth, how it complements similar programs, and what you need to start a thriving empire in Portugal.
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What is the Portugal Startup Visa?
The Portugal Startup Visa is a residency program that attracts non-EU entrepreneurs who want to start innovative businesses in Portugal.
It targets people with scalable, technology-driven, or internationally focused operational ideas that can contribute to Portugal’s expanding startup ecosystem while reaching international markets.
Unlike traditional Portugal visas, it specifically emphasizes innovation and technological development, making it ideal for startups in industries such as software, research, and product development.
In contrast to the Portugal Golden Visa, the Portugal Startup Visa does not require a fixed investment or seek further venture capital. However, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their businesses in Portugal.
It is recommended that a minimum of €10,440 for one year of residence be required in a Portuguese bank account, with additional amounts required for dependents.
Additionally, applicants should be prepared to cover visa and residence permit fees, which are approximately €90 and €85.05, respectively. It’s also important to factor in health insurance costs (around €400 or more) and potential business capital requirements (approximately €5,000).
Applicants must present a comprehensive business plan demonstrating their idea’s viability and potential for global expansion. Once approved, applicants receive a residency permit to live and work in Portugal while developing their venture.
The Startup Visa typically has a validity of two years initially, renewable for three more years, after which you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Difference Between the Portugal Startup Visa and the D2 Visa
If you are familiar with all the business-related visas Portugal offers, you might think that the Startup Visa sounds a lot like the Portugal D2 Visa. While you would be somewhat correct, several key differences set the two immigration options apart.
The D2 Visa is also for people who want to invest in an existing business or start a new one, with few restrictions on what kind of business it must be.
However, applicants for the Startup Visa must secure approval from a certified Portuguese incubator through Portugal’s Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI), which will provide guidance, resources, and support to help ensure the business’s success.
Here’s a table comparing the Portugal Startup Visa and D2 Visa to highlight their differences:
| Aspect | Portugal Startup Visa | D2 Visa (Entrepreneur Visa) |
| Target Audience | Innovative entrepreneurs with scalable, tech-driven business ideas | Entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and independent professionals |
| Business Focus | Innovation, technology, scalable startups with international expansion | Broad business scope, including traditional businesses like restaurants, shops, or consultancies |
| Requirement for Incubator | Partnership with a certified incubator is mandatory | No requirement for an incubator or external support |
| Key Application Requirement | Approval of a viable, innovative business plan by a certified incubator | Submission of a business plan showing economic viability |
| Minimum Investment | No minimum investment required, but sufficient financial resources are needed to sustain the business | No fixed minimum |
| Sectors Covered | Tech, research, software, innovation-driven sectors | Open to all sectors, including service-based and local businesses |
| Application Process | Approval by incubator then apply for visa through Portuguese consulate | Submit business plan and supporting documents directly to consulate |
| Flexibility | Restricted to startup and innovation-focused ventures | Flexible for traditional, small, or medium-sized businesses |
| Path to Permanent Residency | Eligible after 5 years of maintaining residency and business | Eligible after 5 years of maintaining residency and business |
| Citizenship Opportunity | Can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency, meeting language and integration requirements | Same path, with language and residency conditions required |
Benefits of the Startup Visa
The Portugal Startup Visa offers several benefits for entrepreneurs looking to gain access to Portugal and the broader EU market:
Residence in a startup hub: Entrepreneurs gain residency (permanent residence in a few years) in one of Europe’s most dynamic startup ecosystems with access to government-backed initiatives.
No minimum investment: Unlike other residency or business visa programs, the Startup Visa does not require a specific minimum financial investment.
Incubator support: A partnership with a certified business incubator is mandatory, and these offer mentorship, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities.
Pathway to citizenship: The program allows entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship after five years.
Access to EU markets: With a permanent residence in Portugal, entrepreneurs benefit from visa-free travel across the Schengen Area and can access EU-specific funding programs and the broader European market.
⚠️ Portugal Nationality Law Changes 2025
A draft law published in June 2025 proposes major changes to Portugal’s nationality rules. The main change is increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years (7 years for CPLP nationals).
On June 7th, the Portuguese Parliament held an initial debate on the proposal. However, the government decided not to hold an immediate vote.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
Portugal Startup Visa Requirements
Entrepreneurs looking to establish an innovative technology-based company will have expedited access to a residence visa. However, a few essential criteria must be met, as outlined by the
- Potential to attain, five years after the Startup incubation period, a turnover of more than €325,000 per year and/or assets valued at over €325,000 per year
- Applicants must develop business activities to produce innovative goods and services.
- They must open or relocate their companies to Portugal
- It must be focused on technology or innovation
- The business or project must have the potential to create qualified employment.
To be successful in the application, the business or project will be evaluated by IAPMEI and judged on the degree of innovation, business scalability, market potential, management team skills, and potential for creating qualified employment in Portugal.
Additional requirements
In addition to the strict Portugal Startup Visa application criteria, a few additional requirements must be met, as explained by the Ministery of Foreign Affairs.
- While it allows Portuguese citizens to be included in the project, the application leader must be a non-EU citizen.
- A foreign citizen must have started the business outside of Portugal if the goal is to relocate the project to Portugal under the Startup Visa.
- Each member included in the application must have at least 12 times the Social Support Index (IAS) in a Portuguese bank account, which totals €6,270.
- An incubator must approve the project.
- The business or project can only have up to five members
- Only five residency visas can be issued per project
There are currently over 100 incubators that can approve projects or businesses and elect to work with application leaders.
Application Process for the Startup Visa
Since an IAPMEI incubator must approve the projects, the application steps are a bit more complex than most people will be familiar with. However, here are the general steps that every application will follow:
1. Registration: Applicants must first register their details online through the dedicated Portugal Startup Visa portal. This is where applicants explain what the business or project is about or demonstrate their interest in developing an entrepreneurial and innovative project in Portugal. During the registration, applicants must also provide financial statements and a criminal record certificate.
2. Viability: Once all the project details are uploaded, incubators can assess the viability according to their needs and then submit a declaration of interest. If at least one incubator is interested, an application will be submitted to IAPMEI.
3. Evaluation: After about 30 working days, IAPMEI will reach a decision based on its evaluation processes. If the decision is favorable, it moves to the next step.
4. Contract: The interested incubator will have 40 working days to formalize the incubation contract. This includes the obligations of the entrepreneurs and incubators, such as the contract value, the person of the certified incubator responsible for monitoring the project, and the obligations and services provided by the certified incubator. After the entrepreneurs review it, the incubation contract is finalized through a declaration of acceptance issued by IAPMEI.
5. Submission: The declaration of acceptance is valid for 180 days, during which period it must be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval to be granted the Startup Visa. It will be valid for four months and allow for two entries into Portugal.
6. Appointment: After the visa has been granted, applicants will receive an appointment date with Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) to formalize the residency permit.
Entrepreneurs and incubators are required to submit quarterly reports to IAPMEI to assess the project’s progress.
Required Documents for the Portugal Startup Visa
The documentation required to apply for a residence visa under the Startup program is as follows:
- Official form for visa application fully completed and signed
- Declaration issued by IAPMEI certifying the signing of an incubation contract with a certified incubator
- Passport or additional travel documents
- Two passport photos
- Valid travel or health insurance
- Proof of being in a regular financial situation
- Consent to a criminal record check by AIMA
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin
- Proof of means of subsistence as stipulated by law, made through a statement of responsibility, signed by a Portuguese national or by a foreign national legally resident in Portugal.
Portugal Startup Visa Processing Time and Costs
After applicants upload their project details to the online platform, there is no set duration for when incubators must show interest and submit a declaration.
However, IAPMEI takes about 30 working days to approve the application, and the incubator will have 40 working days to formalize the incubation contract.
Applicants will have five days to accept the contract, after which the incubator has 20 days to register a personalized incubation plan.
Thereafter, residency visa applications can take two to four months, while the residency permit usually takes four months.
In addition to having €6,270 per project member in a Portuguese bank account and paying the various fees for starting a business in Portugal, you can also expect to pay €90 for the Startup Visa and €155 for issuing the residency permit.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?
GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS
- GCS has offices located across Portugal.
- Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
- Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa.
100% APPROVAL RATE
- Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants.
- We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.
ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION
- With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application.
- Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.
TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY
- Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
