Portugal StartUp Visa

This Program, created by Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação (IAPMEI) and regulated by the Ministry of Economy and Internal Affairs of Portugal, was developed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and affirm Portugal’s positioning as a country open to entrepreneurship and all those who possess knowledge and innovation capacity.

The Startup Visa program includes the National Network of Incubators within the whole territory. It makes sure that your business will be established next to a community of entrepreneurs who are already hacking in the ecosystem and are familiar with all the specific features of the Portuguese and European markets.

Entrepreneurs can apply through the online platform and the Incubators will receive the projects that are considered relevant in their evaluation and criteria. The procedure will be supervised by the IAPMEI, and the application's final decision will take a maximum period of 30 working days from its submission.

All entrepreneurs wishing to develop their project in Portugal, even if they do not have a company incorporated, and/or entrepreneurs who already have business projects in their countries of origin and who wish to pursue their activity in Portugal.

The program may cover a maximum of 5 entrepreneurs per project who will be granted residence visas.

The application for this visa requires solid business and financial plans demonstrating that the Startup has strong potential to create jobs and will be able to generate effective yearly turnover. 

On a very brief note, a successful application must meet the following requirements:

• The right to establish a business and live in Portugal.
• Free entry and circulation within the Schengen Area, comprised of 26 European countries, without a Visa. The StarUp Visa essentially grants you the travel rights of all European Union citizens. This is perfect for those who want to travel through Europe to network and build corporate connections.
• The possibility of family reunification in Portugal: the family (including spouse, children, parents, or siblings dependent on either spouse) of the holder of a Portuguese residence permit can also live in the country.
• The option to apply for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, which is open to anyone who has the right to reside in Portugal (an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a holder of a residence permit) and has not been a tax resident of the country in the previous 5 years. Important: this special tax regime was discontinued by the Portuguese government in 2023. However, under specific conditions, applications remain possible until the end of 2024. Details on these conditions can be found on Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Tax Regime page.
  
• Qualification for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal: after 5 years of being a legal permanent resident, you may be eligible for permanent citizenship in the country, as part of Portugal residency program. Please note that citizenship is subject to a basic Portuguese language test.
  

This residence permit must be renewed at the end of the first year and then every 2 years. After 5 years of legally authorized residence, you can apply for permanent residency and/or for Portuguese citizenship, subject to passing a language test of "basic Portuguese".

The application should be kick started by:

The exact requirements of each Consulate may vary, but as a rule you will be required to present at least the following documents when attending the interview at the Consulate:

• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the Visa you are applying for (which will expire after 4 months).
• Two recent passport-size colour photos.
• A declaration outlining the reasons for the Portugal residency.
• A Health Insurance Plan valid in Portugal or else an affidavit stating that one will be bought in Portugal within 90 days of arrival.
• A criminal record certificate or Police clearance letter (FBI report in the case of US residents) issued no more than 90 days before the date of submission to the Consulate.
• Documentary evidence of having accommodation in Portugal (property title deed or tenancy agreement).
• Documentary evidence of having sufficient funds available to the applicant’s subsistence in Portugal (e.g., a local bank statement).
• Online access details for the Consulate to confirm the publication of the Incubation Agreement on the Startup Visa Platform.

After receiving the notification that the special purpose residence visa has been granted by the Portuguese Consulate, you will have one month to collect it. Once you do, the visa will be issued for four months, during which you must travel to Portugal.

As soon as you arrive to the country, you must schedule your appointment before AIMA, The Immigration and Border's Service.