The Startup visa represents a programme under which Portugal actively attracts foreign investment and talented entrepreneurs from all over the world.
This type of visa is intended to promote the development of fast-growing business areas. It is essential for the proposed project to be innovative and focused on the creation of additional jobs in Portugal. Startups help to reduce unemployment and as a consequence they enjoy a number of benefits:
Government of Portugal provided the best possible environment for the development of innovative businesses. There are a number of government initiatives and programmes that help to support businesses. Each start-up is assigned a responsible facilitator (accelerator or incubator), giving comprehensive support to start-up companies. Furthermore, their duties include coaching, networking, attracting potential investors, searching for partners, grants, etc. Meanwhile, the salary of such an employee will be a nominal 50 euros/month.
Be a foreign (all countries of the world) entrepreneur and intend to open an innovative business in Portugal.
In order for the application to be successful, the following selection criteria must be met:
the presence of an idea and a clear vision of creating an innovative project and conducting its business activities,
the presence of a technology-related innovative business which is already operating in another country and the wish to relocate the company to Portugal in order to establish a high-tech product in the country,
the intention to start a new company focused on innovative products and services,
a clear vision and plan for the creation of jobs for qualified personnel,
After the 5-year period of the company’s work in Portugal (incubation period), turnover of the company must be at least 325.000 euros per year and/or the value of its assets must exceed this amount.
*these documents can be downloaded from Finanças website
and Segurança Social ,
**minimum amount of funds is €5146.80 (for 2022).
*full list of documents can be found on our website,
**an official letter addressed to one or more incubators for reviewing the project idea and evaluating it according to the selection criteria.
The deadline for a decision is 30 working days after submission of the final completed application.
The applicant has the opportunity to follow the application process through his/her personal account on the online platform. A positive response from IAPMEI https://www.iapmei.pt indicates that the Start-up Visa has been approved.
Upon arrival in Portugal with a “Startup Visa”, the entrepreneur must make an appointment at the SEF (the Immigration Department) https://www.sef.pt regarding the issuance of a residence permit.
A residence permit through the opening of a “Startup Visa” entitles the entrepreneur to family reunification in Portugal. Thus, the entrepreneur can legally bring the family (spouse and children) to Portugal.
A residence permit through the opening of a “Startup Visa” entitles the entrepreneur to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of official residence in Portugal.