Updated on November 14, 2024
Portugal Startup Visa
Running a business and travelling visa-free across the Schengen Area
€9,840+
In a bank account
6+ months
Obtaining period
5 years
To citizenship
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 €9,840, 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 €9,840, 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 5 years
You may apply for Portugal citizenship after five years of residence there. Doing business there may increase your chances of approval.
A Portugal passport allows one to travel to 172 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 five years of residence there. Doing business there may increase your chances of approval.
A Portugal passport allows one to travel to 172 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 one year.
A child is granted citizenship if born in Portugal to foreigners who have held Portuguese residency for at least one year.
Portugal Startup Visa requirements for applicants
Practical guide to obtaining a Portugal Startup Visa
Step-by-step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Answers for frequently asked questions
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 €9,840 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 €85.05 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.
Individual cost calculation for the Portugal Startup Visa
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
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.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Portugal Startup Visa
It takes about two months to obtain a Startup Visa. Then, the entrepreneur can visit Portugal and get a residence permit.
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.
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.
Applying to IAPMEI
The application to the IAPMEi is submitted online, along with the project’s description and documents.
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.
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.
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.
Applying for a residence permit
The lawyers book an appointment in AIMA for the investor to visit it and submit the documents.
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 five years, the investor may apply for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal.
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