Residence for Innovative International Entrepreneurs
Portugal operates a dedicated StartUP Visa programme designed to attract international entrepreneurs who want to develop innovative, technology- and knowledge-based businesses in Portugal.
The programme combines an innovative business project with integration into a certified Portuguese incubator and approval from IAPMEI to provide a pathway to Portuguese residence.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international entrepreneurs in assessing project eligibility, structuring the application and coordinating the Portuguese StartUP Visa process together with qualified local professionals.
StartUP Visa is a Portuguese residence programme for foreign entrepreneurs who want to:
The StartUP Visa programme is administered through IAPMEI – the Portuguese Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation.
IAPMEI
The programme is designed for international entrepreneurs who intend to develop qualifying entrepreneurial and innovative projects in Portugal. Potential applicants can include:
The proposed project should:
An important official StartUP Visa criterion is that the project must demonstrate potential to achieve, within 5 years after the beginning of the incubation period: Annual Turnover above €325,000 and/or Annual Asset Value above €325,000.
This is a future business-potential criterion. It does NOT mean the entrepreneur must invest €325,000 upfront.
€325,000 Potential Criterion
The project must also demonstrate the potential to create qualified employment in Portugal.
A central requirement of the StartUP Visa programme is acceptance by a certified Portuguese incubator.
The incubator must participate in the official StartUP Visa Certified Incubator Network. The entrepreneur must obtain positive interest from at least one certified incubator to proceed with the IAPMEI application.
Entrepreneurs can approach multiple certified incubators to find a partner that matches their industry, technology, and development stage.
A StartUP Visa project can include more than one international entrepreneur. Under the programme rules, a maximum of 5 entrepreneurs can be included in one application/project.
Each entrepreneur must independently satisfy the applicable personal eligibility conditions, and their contribution must be essential to the development of the project.
Up to 5 Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneur must demonstrate adequate personal financial/subsistence resources.
For 2026, IAPMEI publishes a benchmark based on 12 × IAS (Indexante de Apoios Sociais). With the 2026 IAS at €537.13, the requirement is €6,445.56 per entrepreneur.
€6,445.56 (2026 Benchmark)
The IAS amount can change annually and should be verified immediately before filing.
StartUP Visa is designed specifically for innovation, technology, and scalability through certified incubators.
The D2 Entrepreneur Visa is designed more broadly for traditional businesses (like restaurants or consulting), independent professionals, and commercial activities.
StartUP Visa is based on active entrepreneurship and innovative business projects.
The Golden Visa (ARI) is based primarily on qualifying capital investments.
Following approval, the entrepreneur initially applies for a Residence Visa for entry into Portugal. Once in Portugal, they apply for the Temporary Residence Permit.
The current Temporary Residence Permit for immigrant entrepreneurs is valid for 2 years from issuance and is renewable for successive periods of 3 years, subject to continuing eligibility.
2 Years + 3 Year Renewals
Qualifying StartUP Visa holders can bring eligible family members (spouse, partner, children) through Family Reunification.
Lawful residence through the StartUP Visa pathway can contribute toward future permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship, provided all separate statutory requirements are met.
We review founder background, professional experience, existing business status, and financial resources.
We analyse the project's innovation, technology components, scalability, and market potential.
The project is structured and documented for the official StartUP Visa evaluation process.
Suitable certified Portuguese incubators are identified and matched to the project's industry and goals.
Declarations of interest are submitted to selected incubators to secure the required positive interest.
Following positive incubator interest, the formal application is prepared and submitted through the IAPMEI platform.
The incubation agreement and mandatory programme documentation are coordinated.
Following IAPMEI approval, the Portuguese residence-visa process is coordinated for entry into Portugal.
The final Portuguese Temporary Residence Permit procedure is coordinated with AIMA.
We assist with planning for startup growth, family relocation, and future long-term residence options.
Not necessarily. The programme can be used by entrepreneurs with an eligible project; the Portuguese company can be established during the process.
Yes. A project can include up to 5 international entrepreneurs, provided each independently satisfies eligibility rules.
No. It provides an immigration pathway toward residence, which can later form part of a citizenship strategy, but citizenship has its own specific requirements.
No. It is a potentiality criterion to be reached within five years after the incubation period begins.
Innovation. Entrepreneurship. Residence. Europe.
Portugal's StartUP Visa provides international founders with a dedicated immigration framework for developing innovative businesses within the Portuguese startup ecosystem.
A strong application combines innovation, scalability, market potential, qualified employment, and certified incubation.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners can coordinate the founder's StartUP Visa strategy together with qualified Portuguese startup, immigration, corporate and legal professionals.
