Portugal entrepreneur and StartUP Visa

The StartUP Visa programme, regulated by Normative Order 4/2018, is for third-country nationals developing an entrepreneurial project, including an innovation-based company, inside an incubator certified under a government order. The key document is a declaration from IAPMEI, the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, certifying that you signed an incubation contract with a certified incubator. Lei 61/2025 confirmed that such founders receive a residence permit if they meet the general conditions, without needing the residence visa itself.

You qualify as an immigrant entrepreneur if you have already carried out investment operations in Portugal, or if you have funds available in Portugal, including a loan from a Portuguese credit institution, and can show by any means that you intend to invest there. The checklist asks for your own declaration describing the nature, value and duration of the investment.

Both routes use the consular D2 checklist: national visa form, two photos, passport valid three months beyond the stay, travel insurance, apostilled criminal record, proof of means (through a company contract or a certified sponsorship letter), a Portuguese bank account and accommodation for 365 days. Investment purposes require means for at least 12 months.

EUR 110 for the visa. The residence permit itself is charged by AIMA: EUR 133.00 for receiving and analysing the request plus EUR 114.30 for granting a temporary permit (in-person rates in the fee table updated 26 February 2026; 25% less through a digital channel).

AIMA grants the immigrant entrepreneur permit on presentation of the passport, criminal record, address declaration, tax and Social Security registration and, where relevant, the professional body declaration. It is valid two years and renewable for three-year periods.

A refused national visa can be challenged by a complaint to the consulate within 15 days, a hierarchical appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs within three months, or an action before the Administrative Court of Lisbon within three months. The routes are not mutually exclusive, and each appeal procedure costs EUR 75 (except for visas following a family reunification approval). Since Lei 61/2025, a visa is also refused to anyone who entered or stayed in Portugal illegally and is subject to an entry ban.