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Portugal Startup Visa
A residence permit for founders of innovative projects who are ready to build their business in Portugal with a local incubator.
The Portugal Startup Visa is a government program for non-EU entrepreneurs who want to launch an innovative project in the country. The incubator plays the central role: your project must be accepted by one of the incubators certified by IAPMEI, the government agency. You first apply with a project description and a business plan. After approval you file for a visa at the consulate, and then for a residence permit with the AIMA agency. Incubator approval can take several months, so it pays to start early.
The program asks for more preparation than a regular business visa. The project is assessed for novelty and growth potential, and the founder must prove funds to live on. We help you present the project, choose an incubator and go through every stage up to the residence card, including the tax number and bank account. If the project is still raw, we will tell you honestly what to improve before you apply.
Who it is for
- Founders of technology and innovative projects
- Entrepreneurs with an idea they are ready to develop in the EU
- Teams that value incubator support and a local startup ecosystem
- Founders' families
Requirements
- An innovative project with growth potential
- Approval of the project by a certified incubator
- A business plan and a description of the team
- Funds to support yourself in Portugal
- A clean criminal record and health insurance
- Readiness to actually run the project in Portugal
What we do
- Assess whether your project fits the program criteria
- Help with the business plan and the pitch for the incubator
- Select an incubator and support your application
- Gather visa documents: apostilles, translations and insurance
- File the visa application and then the residence application with AIMA
- Help with the NIF, a bank account and company registration
Key documents
- Passport
- Business plan and project description
- Proof of incubator approval
- Proof of funds to live on
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Health insurance
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is moving with you
How it works
- Project assessmentidea, team, market and fit with the program
- Incubator applicationbusiness plan, pitch and waiting for approval
- Documentsapostilles, translations, insurance and proof of funds
- Visafiling at a Portuguese consulate
- Residence permitentry to Portugal, filing with AIMA and company registration
Timeline
Roughly six months or longer in total; incubator approval alone can take several months.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- An incubator may reject a project without a clear innovative element
- Approval and government appointments take months, so we plan with a buffer
- If the project does not develop, renewing the permit can become difficult
- For citizens of some countries, opening a bank account takes longer
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $14,500. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How do I get a Portugal Startup Visa?
Your project has to be approved by an incubator certified by IAPMEI. With that approval you file for a visa at the consulate, and after you arrive, for a residence permit with AIMA. We handle every stage, from the incubator application to the residence card.
How is the startup visa different from a regular business visa?
A business visa works for any company and does not involve an incubator. The startup visa requires an innovative project and incubator approval, but in return you get ecosystem support and contacts. We will tell you which route fits your project.
How long does the process take?
Incubator approval can take several months. Then the consulate reviews the visa, and after arrival you go through the AIMA procedures. The whole route is roughly six months or longer; we give a closer estimate once we have assessed your project.
Can I move with my family?
Yes. The founder's family members can get residence together with the founder or later through family reunification. You will need proof of family ties with an apostille and translation, plus proof of funds for the whole family. We prepare your family's documents in parallel with yours.
Do I need my own company in Portugal?
The company is usually registered as part of the program, after the project is approved. For that you need a NIF tax number and an account with a Portuguese bank. We help with both and with the registration itself.
What does the incubator look at?
The novelty of the idea, the market and growth potential, the team, and how realistic the plan for developing the business in Portugal is. The incubator will work with the project after approval, so it wants the business to operate in the country and not only on paper.
Can I apply without a university degree?
Requirements for founders depend on the program and the incubator. Experience in your field, a strong team and a well-developed business plan often matter more than formalities. We review your profile before filing and suggest how to strengthen the application.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
