Startup visa: an incubated business as the basis of your residence in Portugal

How the programme is built

The Startup Visa was created by Despacho Normativo n.º 4/2018 and is run by IAPMEI, the agency for competitiveness and innovation, with Startup Portugal. The sequence is fixed:

1. the founder applies online to the programme and chooses one or more certified incubators;
2. an incubator accepts the project and signs an incubation contract;
3. IAPMEI issues a declaration confirming the contract (art. 6.º of the Despacho);
4. with that declaration the founder applies at the consulate for a residence visa (the consular list names the IAPMEI declaration as the specific document);
5. in Portugal, AIMA grants a residence permit under art. 89.º n.º 4 of the Foreigners Act — for a third-country national “developing an entrepreneurial project, including the creation of an innovation-based company, integrated in a certified incubator”, with the general conditions of art. 77.º except the visa requirement.

• IAPMEI declaration replaces the business evidence of an ordinary D2
• Innovation and scale are the selection criteria; the incubator, not the consulate, judges the project
• 920 € / month means of subsistence still required (plus the family scale)
• 110 € fee, 60-day decision, then AIMA (133 € + 114,30 €)

What the programme looks for

The rules published by IAPMEI and Startup Portugal target projects that are innovative, aim at international markets, can create qualified jobs, and have a realistic prospect of reaching a meaningful turnover or valuation within five years. Founders must be outside the EU, have no debts to the Portuguese tax and social-security systems, hold no criminal record and show means to live in Portugal. Up to five founders can be included in one project.

Incubators are certified by IAPMEI; the list changes and includes university incubators, municipal ones and private accelerators in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra and elsewhere. The incubator’s acceptance is the real hurdle — pitch deck, business plan, team and proof of concept are reviewed by people who see hundreds of projects.

Documents for the consulate

• the IAPMEI declaration of the incubation contract;
• means of subsistence: the 920 € scale for the founder and 50 % / 30 % for accompanying family — savings on a Portuguese account, a grant, a contract;
• the general residence-visa documents: form, photos, passport, travel insurance, apostilled criminal record certificate, proof of legal status where you apply; in practice NIF, bank account and accommodation.

After arrival

Company incorporation (NIF, NIPC, bank account, share capital), start of activity with Finanças, social security registration, an accountant. The permit is valid two years, renewable for three-year periods; the founder may also take employment or change to an ordinary independent-work permit later. Five years of permits lead to permanent residence; seven or ten years of legal residence, to citizenship. Start-ups that meet the criteria of IFICI (research and innovation activities in certified companies) can offer their staff the 20 % tax regime — see tax and accounting.

Questions