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The complete process typically takes 2-4 months from document preparation to visa approval, with VFS appointments usually secured within 2-3 weeks.

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How to Get a Portugal Startup Visa: Updated Guide 2025

STARTUP VISA GUIDE UPDATED JULY 2025

The Portugal Startup Visa is suitable for entrepreneurs who want to move to Portugal to start and develop an innovative business. The main requirement for the project is the potential for rapid financial growth, entry into international markets and job creation. The entrepreneur can get a visa within six months if a startup is eligible to participate in the program.

You must submit a startup project related to innovation and technology. The entrepreneur must obtain project approval from an accredited business incubator that will accelerate the startup and submit an application to IAPMEI, the Portuguese Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation.

Benefits of the Portugal Startup Visa

The Startup Portugal Program aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and affirm Portugal as a country open to entrepreneurship and to all who will use knowledge and innovation to invest in the Portuguese economy and build up the skilled national workforce.

By investing and creating qualified employment, entrepreneurs can integrate into a startup incubator and benefit from all the Startup Portugal Program incentives and support:

Residence & Travel Benefits

• A foreign investor from a non-EU state can get a Portugal residence permit in 6—11 months
• Enter, reside in, and work in Portugal with a Startup Visa
• Travel visa-free inside the Schengen Area
• No language or residence requirements initially

Family & Future Benefits

• Family members can be included in the visa application
• Apply for citizenship or permanent residency after 5 years
• Access to Portuguese healthcare and education systems
• Support from incubators and startup ecosystem

Family Members Eligible for Inclusion

Your relatives are listed on the visa. The dependent members of your family include:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Children under 18
• Disabled children over 18
• Unmarried children over 18 who will enroll in full-time studies in Portugal
• Financially dependent parents

Portugal Startup Visa Requirements for Entrepreneurs and Business

For Entrepreneurs

Foreigners without citizenship or a permanent residence permit in other EU countries can apply for the Portugal Startup Visa. Other program requirements for an entrepreneur are the following:

Basic Requirements

• Age over 18
• No criminal record
• The availability of money to reside in Portugal
• Rented or owned property for living in Portugal

There are no strict requirements for an entrepreneur's education or work experience, but specialised education and relevant experience increase the chances of obtaining a visa.

Financial Requirements

€5,146.8

Required amount in the bank account per person for obtaining a visa

Each person in the application confirms with a bank statement an account balance of €5,146.8, the annual cost of living in Portugal. Money can be in any bank, Portuguese or foreign.

Up to five company employees can be included in the application for a Startup Visa.

For Startups

An entrepreneur can set up a new company in Portugal or transfer an existing business from another country. It is optional for a startup to have a minimum viable product or a working prototype. Just a well-developed business idea will be enough.

Project Requirements

€325,000

Annual company turnover target after 5 years

1. Innovation Focus

Focused on innovation based on technology and knowledge.

✗ Open a bakery chain

✓ Open a network of automatic bakeries

2. Market Scalability

Scalable, with the prospect of entering the international market.

✗ Open a clothing store

✓ Open clothing marketplace

3. Job Creation

In the future, it will create jobs for highly qualified specialists.

✗ Open a chain of stores and hire salespeople

✓ Create a virtual seller and hire IT specialists

4. Financial Potential

With the potential to achieve a turnover or asset value of €325,000 per year in five years.

5. Incubator Approval

Accepted for acceleration by one of the accredited Portuguese business incubators.

How Certified Incubators Help Entrepreneurs

Before applying for a visa, an entrepreneur must obtain the consent of one of the accredited business incubators to accelerate a startup.

Incubator Network

99 business incubators are accredited in the Portugal Startup Visa Program. The list is published on the website of the Portuguese national network of incubators, RNI.

Incubators in Portugal are distributed throughout the continental part of the country. The Azores and Madeira also have incubators certified to participate in the Startup Visa Program.

What Incubators Provide

• Expert assistance and guidance
• Platform for attracting investors
• Experience sharing with other entrepreneurs
• Coworking spaces for your team
• Networking opportunities

Important Notes

• Incubators do not invest in startups in exchange for company shares
• They do not provide grants
• Services cost about €100 per month
• Coworking space is paid separately

Incubators select projects for acceleration differently: some have softer requirements, and others have tougher ones. Several incubators can be contacted before applying for a Startup Visa to determine the needs, understand their interest in the project, and obtain prior approval.

Documents Required to Apply for a Startup Visa

Portugal Startup Visa documents include the following:

Required Documents Checklist

Passport

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

Project Documentation

Detailed description and project presentation

Motivation Letter

Describing the project, its innovativeness, growth potential, business model scalability, and prospects

Portuguese Numbers

Portuguese NIF tax number and Segurança Social number (if available)

Criminal Record Certificate

From country of permanent residence with apostille

Bank Statement

About €5,146.80 or equivalent in another currency on the account

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Resume with education, work experience, letters of recommendation, and education certificates

How to Get a Portugal Startup Visa: Step‑by‑Step Process

Getting a Startup Visa typically takes at least three months if the entrepreneur already has a business plan. But the process might take longer, depending on the speed of getting approval from IAPMEI and a business incubator. After obtaining a visa, you must come to Portugal and apply for a residence permit.

Prepare Business Plan and Documents

An entrepreneur develops a startup business plan, collects the necessary documents, registers on the IAPMEI website and applies online.

• Develop comprehensive business plan
• Gather all required documents
• Register on Startup Visa platform

Receive Project Approval from Incubators

The entrepreneur applies for approval to one or more incubators on the Startup Visa Program website. If at least one incubator approves the project, the entrepreneur sends an application to IAPMEI.

• Apply to multiple incubators for better chances
• Wait for incubator approval decision
• Submit to IAPMEI once approved

Get IAPMEI Application Approval

IAPMEI reviews the Startup Visa Program application within 30 business days. If the project is approved, the entrepreneur signs a contract with the incubator on the program website within 40 working days.

After signing the contract for project acceleration, the applicant receives a declaration of participation in the program. It is valid for 180 days and is needed to get a visa.

Obtain Visa to Enter Portugal

The visa is obtained from the Portuguese consulate in the country where the applicant lives. It is issued for 4 months, giving the right to 2 entries into Portugal.

Documents for Visa Application:

• Passport
• Declaration of participation in the Portugal Startup Visa Program
• 2 photos
• Travel health insurance
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Bank statement confirming minimum living expenses

You can skip this step if you already have a valid Schengen visa. With it, you can enter Portugal, make an appointment with the immigration service (SEF) and apply for a residence permit.

Get Residence Permit in Portugal

Documents for obtaining a residence permit are submitted in Portugal to the SEF on the day indicated in the visa. When the documents are submitted, renting or buying residential property is necessary.

Documents for Residence Permit:

• Passport
• Declaration of participation in the Startup Visa Program
• 2 photos
• Bank certificate confirming minimum living expenses
• Proof of housing in Portugal
• Certificate of no outstanding criminal record
• Consent to criminal record checks in Portugal

The residence permit is issued for two years with the possibility of an extension for three years. To extend, you must live in the country for at least six months in a row in a year or at least eight months in total for the entire validity period.

Costs for Obtaining a Startup Visa and Residence Permit

Main Expenses

€5,146.8 - Minimal amount for living for one year in Portugal
€7,000+ per year - Approximate cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment
€90 - Startup Visa application fee
€85.05 - Residence permit fee

€12,322+

Basic expenses for the main applicant to get a Startup Visa and a residence permit

Family Reunification Costs

After obtaining a residence permit, family members can join. Required amounts based on minimum wage: 50% (€5,220) for each adult and 30% (€3,132) for a child in 2025.

Opportunities to Apply for Permanent Residency and Citizenship

After five years of living in Portugal with a residence permit, you can apply for permanent residence or citizenship by naturalisation.

Language Requirement

An important condition is knowledge of the Portuguese language at the A2 level: the applicant must understand and be able to converse on familiar or everyday topics and talk about themselves and their family. To confirm language proficiency, you need to pass an exam.

Portuguese citizenship gives the right to live, work and do business in any EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Iceland.

Benefits Comparison	Residence Permit	Permanent Residency	Citizenship
Validity Period	2 years	Granted for life	Granted for life
EU Work Rights	No	Yes	Yes
Travel Freedom	Schengen 90/180 days	Schengen 90/180 days	188 countries visa-free

Portugal Startup Visa Checklist

Complete Application Checklist

Prepare a startup business plan

Collect documents for a Startup Visa application

Select a business incubator and obtain prior approval for acceleration

Get approval from business incubator and IAPMEI

Sign acceleration agreement and receive declaration of participation

Obtain visa at Portuguese consulate in your country

Get residence permit in Portugal

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Portugal Startup Visa process take?

The process typically takes at least 3 months if you already have a business plan, but can take longer depending on incubator and IAPMEI approval times.

Do I need to invest a minimum amount?

No, there's no minimum investment requirement. You only need to prove you have €5,146.8 for living expenses for the first year.

Can my family join me with the Startup Visa?

Yes, family members can be included in your application or join later through family reunification, including spouse, children, and dependent parents.

What happens if my startup fails?

As long as you meet the residence requirements (6 months per year), you can maintain your residence permit even if the startup doesn't succeed.

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