Portugal Portugal Startup Visa — Residency Program

Financial threshold — no minimum listed

Stay 24 months, renewable

Application fee $123

Tax Worldwide

Path to staying

Residence permit24 months
Renew36 months at a time
Permanent residencyafter 5 years
Citizenshipafter 10 years

Permanent residency 5 years
Citizenship 10 years
Dual citizenship allowed
Language required for citizenship A2

Overview

Country: Portugal
Program: Portugal Startup Visa
Local name: StartUP Visa
Type: Startup
Status: Active
Initial duration: 24 months
Renewable: Yes (36 mo)

Residence route for non-EU founders who will build an innovative, technology-based project in Portugal inside a certified incubator. IAPMEI checks the project and issues a declaration once an incubation contract is signed. The applicant then requests a residence visa. Own funds must equal 12 times the 2026 social-support index, EUR 6,445.56.

Financial requirements

Savings required: $7,223
Application fee: $123

Eligibility

Minimum age 18+
Criminal record check required
Health check not required
Health insurance required
Endorsement IAPMEI

Work rights

Employment allowed
Self-employment allowed
Own a business allowed
Work permit included

Family and dependents

Dependents allowed: Yes
Spouse included: Yes
Max child age: 18
Parents allowed: Yes

Benefits and mobility

Schengen access
Bank account can open
Property purchase allowed
Public healthcare access granted
Must be primary residence required

Tax

Tax regime: Worldwide
Foreign income taxed: Yes
Capital gains taxed: Yes

How to apply

Method: online, consulate
Processing time: Up to 60 days
Apply from abroad: Yes

Notes

The incubation contract lasts 12 months and can be renewed for the same term while the incubator stays certified. Up to five founders may apply together. Someone who already has a company must show it is under four years old, that they hold an executive role or at least 10% of the capital, and the potential to create five jobs, besides the founders, within 24 months. The EUR 325,000 figure is a projected turnover or asset level within five years, not cash the applicant must invest. The residence visa is four months and two entries. The permit is two years, then three-year renewals. IAPMEI decides in 30 working days. The visa decision deadline is 60 days. The consular fee is EUR 110, about USD 123 at the ECB rate of 1.1206 on 9 October 2026. New nationality applications from 19 May 2026 need 10 years, or 7 for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Also in Portugal

Portugal also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers

Temporary Stay Visa for Remote Workdigital nomad visa

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source

Change history

Oct 10, 2026

Added

created from the IAPMEI programme page, Normative Order 4/2018 and the 2026 IAS of EUR 537.13. Own funds are EUR 6,445.56, about USD 7,223. The residence permit is two years and renews for three years. Naturalisation for new applications is 10 years (https://www.iapmei.pt/pt/paginas/startup-visa-pt/, https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/12/25001/0000200002.pdf).