How To Get the Portugal Startup Visa in 2025: Rules, Benefits, and Costs

The Portugal Startup Visa is a residency program for non-EU citizens who want to bring innovative business ideas to Portugal. The program is suitable for tech-driven companies and has no minimum investment requirements, which makes it appealing to international entrepreneurs.

In this guide, we’ll explore the Portugal Startup Visa and cover:

• Portugal Startup Visa program requirements
• Difference between the Startup and Entrepreneur Visa in Portugal
• Benefits and costs of the Portugal Startup Visa program
• Steps for obtaining the Startup Visa in Portugal

What Is the Startup Visa in Portugal?

The Portugal Startup Visa (often stylized as “StartUP Visa”) enables entrepreneurs from outside of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland to obtain a residence permit in Portugal by establishing an innovative business in the country. 

This visa program was created in 2018 by the Portuguese government’s agency for competitiveness and innovation (IAPMEI) to attract foreign investors. The program’s purpose is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Portugal and create more employment opportunities in the country.

When you apply for the program, you get access to local startup incubators, which are organizations that assess your initial business plan and support you in developing your startup in Portugal. 

Once approved, the visa is valid for two years and can be renewed for an additional three years.

What Are the Portugal Startup Visa Requirements in 2025?

While Portugal’s Startup Visa doesn’t require a minimum investment, there are other eligibility criteria you must meet. These requirements can be separated into three categories:

1. Eligibility requirements
2. Residency requirements
3. Business requirements

Eligibility Requirements

The main investor must be a non-EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who is at least 18 years old and has no criminal record. They must also obtain accommodation and health insurance valid in Portugal.

Additionally, it’s required that you have sufficient funds to live in Portugal for a year. The minimum requirement is typically €10,440 per year, which is tied to the minimum wage in Portugal, currently set at €870 as of 2025.

As the primary investor, you can have up to five business partners and are allowed to bring your family to Portugal under the Startup Visa. Eligible family members include:

• Your spouse
• Children under 18
• Dependant children over 18 
• Parents who depend on you financially

Residency Requirements

While the Golden Visa requires you to spend only seven days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days total in the next two years to retain the visa, the Portugal Startup Visa residency requirements are more stringent.

Startup founders are required to live in Portugal for six consecutive or eight non-consecutive months per year to maintain the visa’s validity. The same rule applies to their family members.

Spending fewer days in Portugal than required means you won’t be able to renew your visa once it expires.

Business Requirements

You can have up to five business partners when applying for the Startup Visa in Portugal. Your startup should focus on technology and innovation, encompassing companies that operate in areas such as IT, electronics, biotech, commerce, and healthcare.

You are required to present a detailed business plan that shows your company can:

1. Exceed €325,000 in annual turnover or asset value within five years 
2. Create jobs for highly qualified professionals
3. Be able to enter international markets

The IAPMEI and the incubator will evaluate your business in terms of scalability, innovation, and market potential. If it gets approved, you can apply for the Startup Visa.

Portugal Startup Visa vs. Entrepreneur Visa: What Is the Difference?

The Portuguese Startup Visa is often confused with the Entrepreneur Visa due to their similarities. Both are designed for entrepreneurs from outside the EU and provide a renewable residence permit valid for two years, but require spending 16 months in Portugal within those two years.

However, the Entrepreneur Visa, also known as the D2 Visa, allows investments in existing businesses, whereas the Startup Visa requires you to start a business in Portugal.

The two visas also differ in the following terms:

Features	Startup Visa	Entrepreneur (D2) Visa
Suitable for	Entrepreneurs with innovative, tech-driven business ideas	Entrepreneurs, independent professionals, freelancers, and small business owners
Business focus	Scalable companies focused on innovation and technology	Various types of businesses, including traditional ones, such as shops and restaurants
Minimum investment	No minimum requirements, but you must show proof of at least €10,440 per year to cover your living expenses in Portugal	No fixed minimum, but you must demonstrate sufficient funds to live in Portugal and start a business
Incubator requirement	Mandatory	Not required
Flexibility	Restricted to startups	Suitable for companies of different types and sizes

What Are the Portugal Startup Visa Benefits?

In addition to family reunification, the Portugal Startup Visa allows you to travel and stay in the Schengen area countries for 90 days within a 180-day period without requiring additional permits.

The visa also provides the following advantages:

1. Low-cost path to Portuguese residency
2. Incubator support
3. Favorable tax treatment
4. Pathway to Portuguese citizenship

Low-Cost Path to Portuguese Residency

The Portugal Startup Visa is far more affordable than other popular visa options, such as the Golden Visa.

Unlike the Golden Visa, which has an investment requirement of at least €250,000, the Startup Visa doesn’t require you to make a minimum investment. Instead, the Startup Visa incurs the following fees:

• €90 visa fee
• €85.05 residence permit charge
• Around €100 in incubator fees

These are significantly lower than the Golden Visa costs, which include an application fee of €605.1 per person.

Incubator Support

Working with a local startup incubator is mandatory to obtain the Startup Visa in Portugal. However, this is also beneficial for investors because these professionals provide support with:

• Finding a suitable office
• Handling paperwork
• Seeking grants and investments for business funding

They can also connect you to the Portuguese startup ecosystem. This provides networking opportunities with individuals who can further support you in establishing your business in Portugal.

Favorable Tax Treatment

As an entrepreneur moving to Portugal on a Startup Visa, you may qualify for a favorable tax regime under the Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) program. 

In 2024, Portugal introduced IFICI as a new incentive program since the original Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime—which allowed qualifying expats to pay a flat income tax rate of 20% instead of the usual rates of up to 48%—is no longer open to new applicants.

IFICI offers tax incentives to highly skilled professionals who haven’t been Portuguese residents within the five years preceding the date of application. The program is designed for professionals in sectors like:

• Tech and software development
• Scientific research
• Manufacturing 

However, if you aren’t employed in any of these sectors, you can also qualify if you own or work for an IAPMEI-certified startup. 

The program’s features are outlined below:

IFICI Features	Overview
Income tax rate	A flat 20% income tax rate applies to income sourced in Portugal
Foreign income exclusion	All foreign-sourced income and gains are exempt from taxation in Portugal
Residency requirement	You must become a Portuguese resident before applying for IFICI. This typically involves spending over 183 days in Portugal within a single tax year or maintaining a habitual residence there
Business requirements	You must own a business that’s less than 10 years old, employ fewer than 250 workers, and have an annual turnover of under €50 million
Duration	The regime lasts for ten consecutive years from the year you become a Portuguese tax resident

Pathway to Portuguese Citizenship

Expats who obtain a Startup Visa and legally live in Portugal for five years have the right to apply for Portuguese citizenship. To apply, you must have no criminal record and pass an A2 language proficiency test.

With a Portuguese passport, you can travel to over 180 countries without a visa and reside in Schengen countries without needing to apply for residency.

Portugal allows dual citizenship, which means you can obtain a Portuguese passport without giving up your original nationality. This is particularly beneficial for American expats, as the U.S. recognizes dual citizenship as well.

Portugal Startup Visa Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Depending on your circumstances, it typically takes between two and six months to obtain the Startup Visa in Portugal. To secure the visa, you need to take the following steps:

1. Collect documentation
2. Find a certified incubator and submit the application
3. Obtain the visa and a residence permit

Collect Documentation

Before starting the application process, gather all the required paperwork. This includes:

• Valid passport
• CV
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Motivation letter explaining your business idea
• Comprehensive business plan with financial projections
• Evidence of health insurance in Portugal
• Evidence of personal financial means of at least €10,440 per year

You must also include your Portuguese taxpayer number (NIF). The NIF is necessary for performing fiscal activities in Portugal. You can obtain this number in person at the Portuguese tax office or through a tax representative. The latter doesn’t require you to visit Portugal, but it does include fees.

Find a Certified Incubator and Submit the Application

Find a business incubator to review and approve your proposal so that you can submit it to IAPMEI. You can choose an incubator from the Portugal Startup Visa certified incubators list and apply online by providing your documents and a business plan.

IAPMEI typically takes up to 30 days to evaluate your application. If you pass the assessment, you have to sign a contract with the incubator within 40 working days, and the incubator must upload the signed contract within five working days. 

Once approved by the incubator, you can officially register and apply for the visa through the IAPMEI portal. In addition to the business plan and supporting documentation, you must also provide the incubator agreement.

Once you complete this step, you will receive a declaration of participation in the Portugal Startup Visa program, which is valid for six months. 

Obtain the Visa and a Residence Permit

Schedule a visa appointment at the local Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. You are required to visit the consulate in person and provide personal documentation, as well as the IAPMEI approval. 

You will receive the visa in up to four months and must use it to enter Portugal and apply for the residence permit at Portugal’s Immigration and Border Service (SEF). The required documentation includes:

• Passport and two passport-sized photos
• Declaration of participation in the Startup Visa program
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Evidence of sufficient funds to live in Portugal

The residence card is valid for two years and can be renewed for an additional three years if you meet the residence requirements.

Note that determining your eligibility and applying for the Portugal Startup Visa is a complex process, and you may benefit from professional guidance to ensure you obtain your visa in a timely manner. Our professionals at Nomad Capitalist can help streamline the process and remove any administrative and other hurdles you may encounter along the way.

Nomad Capitalist: Professional Assistance With Securing Residence Abroad

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that streamlines immigration, tax optimization, and asset protection worldwide. Our professionals assist expats with: 

• Applying for a visa 
• Obtaining a residence permit
• Securing dual citizenship

We evaluate your financial and personal goals to develop a step-by-step Action Plan that aligns with your relocation goals. Whether you intend to apply for the Portugal Startup Visa or wish to explore other paths to Portuguese residence, we ensure our personalized strategy meets your requirements. 

Here is how getting a specialized Action Plan works:

1. You complete an application form that allows us to determine if we’re a good fit
2. Once approved, we schedule an onboarding call to understand your goals better
3. We develop and present a detailed Action Plan based on your relocation specifics
4. We execute the Plan and handle all the administrative work 
5. We provide lifetime support and Action Plan updates

Partner with Nomad Capitalist and work with seasoned professionals to get a personalized strategy, guaranteed to meet your needs.