Experienced
Being in the industry since 2006, we can handle it all — from Due Diligence to investment — and resolve issues fast.
Updated on November 2, 2026
Portugal Startup Visa
Running a business and travelling visa-free across the Schengen Area
€11,040+
In a bank account
10+ months
Obtaining period
2 years
RP validity
The Portugal Startup Visa is intended for entrepreneurs launching innovative projects in the country. The rules for obtaining this visa are fixed in Articles 60 and 81 of REPSAE, Portugal Immigration Act.
To get a visa, one should submit an application to the IAPMEI, an agency that funds programmes for entrepreneurs. Then, one should present an innovative business project and open a startup in collaboration with a Portuguese business incubator. Up to five partners may be included in the application; the main applicant must be a non-EU citizen or resident.
A Startup Visa leads to getting a Portugal residence permit. The first card is issued for two years and can be renewed for three years. Relatives may obtain residency for family reunification.
Benefits of the Portugal Startup Visa
1
Portugal residency with relatively low costs
To get a Startup Visa, one must confirm having at least €11,040, the minimum amount for a year of residence in Portugal. The visa doesn’t require any investment with a fixed sum. In comparison, one should invest at least €250,000 to get a Portugal Golden Visa.
To get a Startup Visa, one must confirm having at least €11,040, the minimum amount for a year of residence in Portugal. The visa doesn’t require any investment with a fixed sum. In comparison, one should invest at least €250,000 to get a Portugal Golden Visa.
2
Moving to Portugal
A Startup Visa allows its holders to live in Portugal, a secure country with a mild climate, picturesque landscapes, and a high standard of living. To renew the residence permit, one must spend 1.5 years in a row or 16 months in total in Portugal within 2 years.
A Startup Visa allows its holders to live in Portugal, a secure country with a mild climate, picturesque landscapes, and a high standard of living. To renew the residence permit, one must spend 1.5 years in a row or 16 months in total in Portugal within 2 years.
3
Visa-free travel to the Schengen Area
Cosmopolitans with Portugal residence permits may spend 90 days out of 180 in other Schengen states without visas.
Cosmopolitans with Portugal residence permits may spend 90 days out of 180 in other Schengen states without visas.
4
Starting a business in Portugal
To get a Portugal Startup Visa, you should open a startup in collaboration with a leading Portuguese business incubator. The incubator can make working in a new country more convenient, for example, by helping with the documents or providing an office under beneficial terms.
To get a Portugal Startup Visa, you should open a startup in collaboration with a leading Portuguese business incubator. The incubator can make working in a new country more convenient, for example, by helping with the documents or providing an office under beneficial terms.
5
Tax optimisation
When startup owners have lived in Portugal for 183 days a year, they become tax residents and may get a 10-year beneficial tax status, Non-habitual Resident. This status allows one not to pay taxes on income earned abroad if it’s taxed in another country with a double tax agreement concluded with Portugal.
When startup owners have lived in Portugal for 183 days a year, they become tax residents and may get a 10-year beneficial tax status, Non-habitual Resident. This status allows one not to pay taxes on income earned abroad if it’s taxed in another country with a double tax agreement concluded with Portugal.
6
Applying for citizenship after 10 years
You may apply for Portugal citizenship after 10 years of residence there. Doing business there may increase your chances of approval.
A Portugal passport allows one to travel to 180 countries and move to another EU state. Portugal recognises dual citizenship, so applicants must not renounce other countries’ citizenships.
You may apply for Portugal citizenship after 10 years of residence there. Doing business there may increase your chances of approval.
A Portugal passport allows one to travel to 180 countries and move to another EU state. Portugal recognises dual citizenship, so applicants must not renounce other countries’ citizenships.
7
Citizenship for newborn children
A child is granted citizenship if born in Portugal to foreigners who have held Portuguese residency for at least 5 years.
A child is granted citizenship if born in Portugal to foreigners who have held Portuguese residency for at least 5 years.
Your complete guide to the Portugal Startup Visa
-
Step-by-step procedure
-
Requirements for applicants
-
Required documents
-
Answers for frequently asked questions
Trusted by 10,000+ investorsOne investment, residency for all
Children under 18
Portugal Startup Visa costs for an applicant
The primary condition for getting a Startup Visa is to open a company in Portugal in collaboration with a business incubator.
Opening a company. There’s no obligatory investment threshold. An entrepreneur spends money creating the project, transferring their business to Portugal or opening a new one.
Residing in Portugal. You need to confirm that you have money for a year of living there; it is at least €11,040 per applicant. Also, an entrepreneur has to rent or buy housing in Portugal to get a registration address.
Government fees are €90 per person for the visa and about €160 for a residence permit.
Additional costs include health insurance, which usually costs €400 or more. The investor also covers professional services and a trip to Portugal to visit the immigration service.
Which company may be suitable for a Startup Visa
To get a Startup Visa, one should form a new company or transfer their existing business to Portugal. Cooperation with a Portuguese business incubator is obligatory.
There are some requirements for projects:
-
The project may be at the stage of idea, but it must have a detailed business plan, presentation and financial aims.
-
The company must be focused on innovation and technology.
-
The company should focus on entering international markets.
-
There must be a perspective for creating jobs for highly qualified professionals.
-
The company must have the potential to reach €325,000+ in annual turnover or asset value after five years.
The business plan is evaluated by an incubator and the IAPMEI. If the startup idea is approved for the program, its founders may apply for a visa.
Get your personal cost estimate for the Portugal Startup Visa
The total cost depends on family composition. We can provide a free, individualised calculation for your case, covering additional expenses like taxes, insurance, and more.
Who’s applying with you?
Add family members to get a precise estimate tailored to your case. You (main applicant) — always included.
Differences between the Startup and the Golden visas
Investors obtain Portugal Golden Visas by purchasing fund units, opening companies, and supporting art and science.
The Golden Visa requirements differ from those for the Startup Visa. For example, the investment amount for the most popular option for the Golden visa is €500,000; the investors must not open a business, and they can include their family members in the initial applications.
P10M
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Portugal Startup Visa
It takes about 10 months to obtain a Startup Visa. Then, the entrepreneur can visit Portugal and get a residence permit.
1
Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer conducts preliminary Due Diligence before an entrepreneur signs a contract with Immigrant Invest. This check allows us to foresee possible difficulties and raise the investor’s chances of getting a Portugal Startup Visa.
2
Gathering the documents
Applicants prepare their business plans, motivation letters, and CVs. They also get certificates of no criminal record and bank statements that confirm they have funds to live in Portugal.
Immigrant Invest lawyers help applicants obtain tax and social security numbers in Portugal and gather the necessary documents for the application.
3
Applying to IAPMEI
The application to the IAPMEi is submitted online, along with the project’s description and documents.
4
Finding a business incubator
To get a visa, an entrepreneur must find an incubator ready to develop their project. The applicants must turn to several incubators and pass interviews to do so.
When the incubator approves the project, Immigrant Invest lawyers will finish filling out the form on the IAPMEI website. The application will then move to the last level and await approval.
5
Consideration of the application
The agency considers the application for 30 days. The entrepreneur can track the progress in their account on the IAPMEI website.
6
Getting the visa
The agency sends a declaration of participation in the Startup Visa program to the applicant. It is valid for six months; in this time, one must apply for a visa at the Portugal consulate in the country of residence and then visit the office of AIMA — Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum of Portugal — on the date of appointment.
7
Applying for a residence permit
The lawyers book an appointment in AIMA for the investor to visit it and submit the documents.
8
Getting a residence permit card
When the application is approved, AIMA issues a residence card and sends it to the investor’s address in Portugal.
The first residency card is valid for two years and can be renewed for three years. After 5 years, the investor may apply for permanent residence, after a further 5 years — for citizenship of Portugal.
Your peace of mind starts with our credibility
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent, offering Portugal residence help. We understand the requirements of Portugal’s StartUP Visa programme and work in accordance with the applicable legal framework, including Law No. 23/2007, as amended, Portaria No. 344/2017 and Despacho Normativo No. 4/2018, which govern the programme and the certification of participating incubators.
We are also government-licensed to represent investors in Malta and several Caribbean countries. Our membership in the Investment Migration Council, the leading global association for industry experts, further reflects our commitment to the highest standards of integrity.
We are an IMC member
Trust your future to a reliable agent
Diligent
Our in-house compliance team runs thorough checks upfront to ensure eligibility and protect you from rejection risks.
Dedicated
From the first consultation to obtaining residence, we will support you at every step and answer all, even the trickiest, questions.
Confidential
We protect your trust with strict confidentiality, securing your data and investment details under an NDA agreement.
Elena Ruda,
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
With almost 20 years of experience, direct partnerships, and local presence in Portugal, we ensure a smooth, secure, and transparent journey to EU residence.
Our team of legal and real estate experts will assist you at every step, from the first free consultation to selecting a property and securing your residence.
Your Startup Visa team
Our Portugal-based legal and migration experts know the law inside out and ensure a smooth residence process.
Our clients’ reviews
All reviewsClients’ names and photos have been changed to comply with a non-disclosure agreement.
Residence permit and Immigrant Invest stay with you
New demands may arise after obtaining a Startup Visa or a residence permit. For example, you might seek a beneficial tax status, wish to buy a property or apply for citizenship. Let’s talk about how we can help.
Case studies
Portugal
€3,225
Portugal
€954,550
Schedule a meeting
Individual selection of investment properties
-
Discuss your tasks and goals
-
Choose between properties from reliable developers
-
Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase
Prefer messengers?
Latest news and terms updates
Frequently asked questions
Articles about Portugal
15 min
11 min
12 min
22 min
Schedule a meeting
Let's discuss the details
We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.
Zlata Erlach
Head of the Austrian office
Prefer messengers?